Bomb scare disrupts Pittsburgh Marathon; device in microwave oven is disabled by robot

Pittsburgh Marathon course altered by bomb scare

PITTSBURGH — Police say they have found an explosive device near the course of the Pittsburgh Marathon, forcing them to detour the final part of the race.

Police say the device was found in a small microwave oven on the sidewalk after the leaders had finished the course Sunday morning. Several blocks were cordoned off near the original finish line for the marathon and half-marathon.

The bomb squad used a robot to disable the device. The all-clear was given for the area shortly before 11 a.m. About 5,000 people took part in the full marathon.

The disruption comes a day after a car-bomb scare in New York emptied Times Square.