Boilermaker and Beyond

Last week the New York City Marathon announced they would no longer transport runners gear from the start to the finish line. The primary reason given was the congestion that was occurring at the Post Race party where runners were forced to wait up to an hour to claim their bags. UPS had donated 75 trucks and staff to hand out the baggage to the runners.

All clothing will be picked up at the start line and donated to not for profits.

After the race the runners will receive a blanket and, new this year, a poncho.

Here are some facts and figures to ponder.

• Last year the New York City Marathon had over 46,500 finish the race. The race traditionally sells out (50,000 applications) very quickly. They use a lottery system with a 1-in-10 chance to get in. Entry fee is $216 (up $60 from 2011).Wow!
• The race takes place the first week in November. Runners come to the starting line on Staten Island as early as 5:00 am for a 10:00 am start. Last year temperatures were (fortunately) in the high 50s. In 1995 it was 40 degrees with a wind chill of 18 degrees.
• According to race organizers the ponchos will cost the race several hundreds of thousands of dollars. Double Wow!

Needless to say the reaction by those who had signed up for the race was swift and scathing. People are sort of funny not wanting to run 26.2 miles with cell phones, wallets, and hotel keys.

As a casual observer who has never run New York and one who has a touch of loyalty to those who organize races; my thoughts.

It seems to me that launching a change as monumental as this should have been communicated prior to registration. I can appreciate the outrage of people who paid a great deal of money and now need to make alternative plans.

Change, in general, is not an embraced concept. I spoke to a past New York Finisher who is running this year (she is not happy). For her the wait to get her gear was a nice cool down.

We in the racing world ‘sell’ a funny product. Yet, saying those things, we must we aware of the thoughts of our customers. Not only have you made what appears to be an unpopular decision but you have ‘fired’ a company, UPS, that was a volunteer (hey, want to come see us in Utica?).

Finally, for those running the Boilermaker next year, rest assured, our baggage truck will be there to get your gear to the finish line.