Race security
I am not trying to be insensitive by posting about another terrorist act on 9/11. I was simply discussing this on Facebook with friends and wanted to share about it here. Please skip this post if the mention of Boston 2013 bothers you, especially today.
Do you think heightened post Boston 2013 race security has affected you in any way? Have you noticed a difference?
Major and big-city races have understandably increased their security since the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013. More security personnel on the course. More police officers. Restricted access for runners and spectators. Limits on how much you can bring in to baggage check, and what you bring it in. What you bring on to the course. And so on.
The first race I did after Boston 2013* was the Salt Lake City Half Marathon, which was the Saturday after Boston Marathon Monday. A bomb dog came on to TRAX before we could get off to get to the race start line, and there was a bomb squad at the start line. I don’t recall there being baggage check limitations. It all made sense to me. It was a somber but also uplifting day. It felt right to be amongst runners at a big race right after that happened.
Oops, off track a little bit with sappiness.
So that was the only time I’ve really felt its effect. I’ve participated in races since then that have had the rule about only putting gear check items in a clear bag, but that wasn’t really a big deal to me (they usually give it to you at packet pickup).
However… it recently came to my attention that the marathon Bobbi and I are running in October does not allow “back pack style hydration systems.” From their newsletter**:
As part of our runners’ security policy, the following was published in the previous August runners’ newsletter. It is being repeated here so that there is no misunderstanding-
No back pack style hydration systems of any kind are allowed on the shuttle buses to the start, in or around the Grafton High School facility, in the start area or worn in the race.
You may carry your own water in a waist belt system or a hand held water bottle carrier.
Unfortunately, Bobbi and I both train with these and were planning to use them. I wore my Nathan vest for my last marathon and loved it. I ran through water stops (only stopped once to fill it), didn’t have to carry anything in my hand, could drink water whenever I wanted, and had tons of pockets. I know it’s dweeby, but it’s my preferred hydration system for long runs.
Kicking arse with xaarlin
So… we’re a bit bummed we can’t use our backpacks. It’s what we train with, it’s what we prefer, and it makes something hard (the marathon) a bit more comfortable.
Maybe they will change their mind like Marine Corps did (thanks for the link, Gina!)? Or, we can just quit being babies and use our hand helds. I know, I know, some of you rely completely on the water stops only. You rock! That does not work for me!
*Which makes it sound like I was there – I was not.
**We won’t even get it to the fact that it was very unclear in previous newsletters and that this rule does not appear to be on the official website (or as Bobbi said, that they told us about it with four weeks to go until the race).
Themocracy
This just made me realize I am a bit weird. I use my HipsSister for my beans, phone, gum, and ipod, but I never carry water during a race. I LOATH my handheld that I use during training so any excuse to ditch it is warmly welcomed. I always make sure to check for the water stops before a race to ensure I’ll have enough water. And when training I try to teach myself to not ‘need’ to stop as much.
HOW TERRIBLE to not advertise about the ‘no back pack’ rule so you could train accordingly…are you sure they won’t have enough water stops to get you through so you don’t have to carry a hand held for 26.2?
I don’t think that is weird at all! I remember when I did my first marathon people told me it was unusual to carry water… and really, most of the people I see don’t carry! And that is why I want my vest… so I don’t have to “carry” it as well. It just feels like part of me when it’s on.
I am not sure water stops are enough. I drink a lot when I run. On Sunday I drank almost 4 liters for 21 miles. At my last marathon (which was chillier) I drank almost 3 L. It’s just not the way I train, but maybe I should in the future?
Will Steven be at the race? I’ve had several friends who have spouses ride up ahead on their bikes to provide fuel and water…just an idea?
If I drank that much I’d be in the pottie non-stop…I suppose that is why I try to limit my intake. I have a bladder the size of a pea, LOL!
But then I am restricted from winning the race! I read that in the FAQ! Ha ha, jk. I am actually not sure if he will be there, but friends will be. I like to rely on myself though.
I am always surprised by people who have to pee during races/runs. That NEVER happens to me!!!
LOL!!! I can run a half without peeing, but both fulls I’ve done I’ve had to stop once…darn mini bladder, lol.
I’m glad you mentioned it to Bobbi, who mentioned it me, because the blurb in the August runner’s newsletter wasn’t clear. I’m glad I forced the issue by sending an email (after they didn’t answer Bobbi’s FB post) to get the (horrible!) clarification…because this is my first marathon and I’ve been training with a Nathan — it wouldn’t have been a pretty sight to see a 50-yr old woman have a 2 yr old temper tantrum when they told me I couldn’t run with my Nathan!!! As an aside, I never got a reply as to whether I could use it simply for the pockets and carry NO liquid…. boo hoo!
I am glad I got the chain reaction going to! And that you emailed them since FB is not enough to get a response. I wish they would respond if you can wear it sans bladder! What are you planning to use, that belt of Tim’s? Did we already discuss this? Oops 😉 Let’s blame it on early am brain for me not remembering!
Hmmmm. I feel torn on this one. I mean, I get that the race officials are trying to keep people safe and are not doing this just to pick on runners who use hydration vests. BUT. I think it is a bit extreme.
Also, I think your second footnote is the most important part – that they are only just bringing this up now. For all I care a race can have crazy ass rules just as long as they are upfront about it from the get go. You can’t just make up new rules while runners are tapering…(And I quickly browsed the race website and I don’t see it anywere, even in the 2014 FAQs)
And lastly (and more rant-y), who the eff does the Lakefront marathon think they are? I mean, I’ve heard great things about the race but it’s SMALL. This is no Chicago or MCM or NYC. If it’s such a concern couldn’t they get a little more security for the however many out of 3100 runners that want to use a vest and just do a search at the start line? Or have anyone who wants to use a vest do a check-in before lining up?
And who says a bad person couldn’t do harm with just a fuel belt, or something in their shoe, or standing on the sideline…there’s just too many scenarios. BAH.
My solution for you: wear the vest under your t-shirt and be really offended when they want to search your debilitating hunchback. 😉
ROFLMAO…..best part of this response: “My solution for you: wear the vest under your t-shirt and be really offended when they want to search your debilitating hunchback. ;)” My cubicle mates must wonder what is so effing funny because I’m darn near rolling around on the floor. thanks for the laugh!!!!
Yeah, I felt a bit torn too, hence me not being too upset and willing to concede to my handheld, which I used successfully at NYCM.
But yeah, why decide this now and not post it anywhere and not tell us until now?! Ha ha, I was kind of thinking that… MKE is not that big. I mean, that is why I like it! I understand they need to consider all aspects of security but come on. I wonder if they had this rule last year?
And yep! That is the same logic I’ve had about airport security – anything could be a weapon! Don’t be so reactionary!
LOL! I could wear it underneath. I wouldn’t chafe, right?!
I think I just peed myself a little. BAHAHAHAHA!!!
hahahahaha!! I adore you Rachel!
But you hit on it exactly for me – if they had had that in the rules from the get go, even from the start of training, I would have nothing to bitch about. It’s this sneaky, “oh, and by the way…” bullshit that has me so mad.
What happened at Boston was horrible and we are all sad about it, let me just start with that.
BUT – all of this is a knee-jerk reaction, and it’s the inconsistencies that bug me. Clear bag? Regular bag? Pack? No pack? It differs from race to race. Want everyone to be able to comply? Make it a standard across the board.
That being said, I don’t understand why this couldn’t have been communicated ahead of time, like, when you signed up for the race. If you had known as far away as possible, another solution could have been found. But for the race to say, oh BTW, in 4 weeks you can’t do this, is NOT COOL. I understand that circumstances can change, but there has been nothing new in the running world to suddenly cause races to spring this on people.
Also, what Rachel said about the hunchback. I’d pay to see that!
It sure would make it easier for us if it was all standard. But I would want those standards to be – they provide a bag at packet pickup, or they let me use mine. Nothing else. And sometimes I just put the bag I brought inside of theirs. How effective is that?!
Hmm, I do wonder why they decided that now. Maybe it was always in their mind and they just now thought to share it? The funny thing is, the Aug 11 newsletter said this:
2. No personal bags, backpacks, or personal hydration system products (such as CamelBak®, Thor®, etc) will be allowed on the shuttle buses to the start or in the Grafton High School facility. Runners will be allowed to carry water bottles but only those that hold no more than one liter of liquid.
And I sent it to Bobbi to ask what she thought of it – I thought it meant we couldn’t have them on their bus or in the school (sure, no problem). That is when she and another friend who commented (Dawn) starting asking about it. And then then Sept 5 newsletter clarified. Kind of suspicious 😉
Ha ha ha. I like the hunchback idea. It would be wear if they requested to feel me up!
So you can do harm with more than one liter of liquid, but definetly not less? Got it. Makes perfect sense.
Clearly someone has been waterboarding runners on the ride to the start line. 😉 Thanks for ruining it for everyone else!
Everyone has such great responses (Hey there, hunchback of Illinois) that I’m not sure how much I can add.
BUT, I like to add … so yeah. I find it disappointing that they are so bent on this because the bomber used a backpack = never a backpack again. I’ve started training a lot with my Nathan, and I will never carry a handheld. I’d rather rely on water stops though those usually walking for me, which gives me more excuses to walk elsewhere, which equals me stopping to give a crap about the race. Again, me. I plan to wear my vest for the Fort4Fitness half in a couple weeks. I’d be bummed if I couldn’t take it. For a half, though, I’d deal. A marathon is a long way to go without the water you’ve trained with. Plus, I like Nuun in mine and it’s rare to see that on a course. If I did did the Gatorade, I’d crap my pants.
Oh gosh, yeah, that is a really good point with the Nuun. I guess you could stop and add it to each cup. Or carry a handheld. LOL. I bet you will be good at Fort4Fitness! 🙂
Maybe you could wear your pack under a shirt? Seriously…
I see someone else had the same idea…hunchback…
I noticed that the Detroit Marathon – which crosses an international border between Canada and the US – does not let you carry water across the border. Which makes sense, and might have been something that was in place before Boston 2013. You also need a Passport to do that race (I think just to get your bib although they state technically they can ask for it during the race?)
I am sad that folks can no longer jump into the Chicago Marathon to pace friends. I did that for my cousin in 2010, and it was SO helpful when Kelly did it for me in 2012. Oh well. That was always against the rules, they just didn’t get serious about it until 2013.
It makes sense for Detroit to have extra security measures since you run in two countries, imo. I wonder if you can leave your water on one side and pick it up when you come back? Maybe it’s a loop course? I know people who’ve run it. I should ask about the passport.
Ha ha, yeah, bandits are almost always against the rules. In NYC they have people whose specific job is to chase them down and get them off the course. I guess they want you to run with a pacer or run with a friend. 🙂
First off, love the pic. We look so happy! And look at my “perfect” mid foot strike!
For me personally it hasn’t had any effect. Use only their clear bag for bag check, no problem! I don’t carry a hydration back pack- only a hand held.
I did notice at Chicago last year they had waaaaay more police presence and organization to get into the corrals. It was actually way less chaotic. I saw several bomb sniffing K9’s and their handlers in the corral and on the course which was a first. (I also see them a ton in the el now too) other than that I’m not bothered by the extra security. I’ve thought for years that large marathons could be a potential target… Anyways.
I think it’s lame-O that they changed the rules a month out. What do you plan to do now? 🙁
That is good you saw it as a positive change at Chicago! 🙂
Eh, I will either take my pack or my hand held. I am not that worried about it 😉 This isn’t my goal marathon of the year 🙂
It’s tough training with certain gear and then not being able to use that gear the day of the race. Must be very frustrating that you won’t be able to hydrate like you’re used to. I ran the Illinois Marathon a few weeks after Boston 2013 and noticed a lot of added security at that race, but haven’t seen as many changes since. I have seen that a lot of races are only accepting clear plastic gear check bags, which is a big change.
Wow, I haven’t done any organized races since Boston, so I had no idea. That really sucks you can’t use your Nathan. Do you have enough time to train with something else?
I have enough time to train with my hand held if I wanted to, but it’s a pita to run back to the car and fill it up, so I will train with my pack and either use that or the hand held 🙂
Are they going to pull you off the course if you wear one? I get the reasoning for saying we only allow xyz for hydration but like others said they should be upfront about it.
It doesn’t say what they will do it you wear one 😉 I kind of doubt they would take the time to pull a runner off, but, who knows!
I’m also running lakefront. The last email that came out made it seem like it just wasn’t allowed at the school. So when we got the most recent newsletter I was disappointed. I always run with my pack, can’t stand fuel belts or handhelds. I’m not fast, my last marathon was 4:40 so I don’t like walking thru water stations which I need to in order to actually drink. I’m pretty upset about it. I have gotten so used to my pack. I even use it on 8 milers if it’s warm out. SOOO much better than any other option for drinking. To be honest, I would have signed up for it if I would have known ahead of time cause I’ve heard great things about it, but I would have mentally been prepared to run without it since April. Now I have a month to get used to the idea!!
That IS what it made it sound like in the August newsletter! Which is why I sent the newsletter to my friends to ask what they thought and they contracted the RD to ask.
I like the pack for the same reason you do. You’re definitely not going to use it? 😉
I’m too much of a rule follower to use it. Suddenly a built in excuse if I don’t PR?! 🙂
Hee hee, I like the way you think! 🙂
I don’t think it’s a bad policy. However, I do think they should have let people know of this rule BEFORE they registered for the race.