BRACE FOR BARRICADES AT MARATHON
Boston Marathon race organizers really want fans to stay off the course.
After the controversy with police in Newton during last year’s marathon, the Boston Athletic Association will be adding more barricades to the course for Monday’s race.
Also, the B.A.A. app for tracking friends, family, elite athletes and celebrities on the course has a new “Spectator Guidelines” feature this year. People who download the app have to go over the code of conduct rules before following marathon participants.
In recent weeks, the B.A.A. has posted messaging on social media about the importance of having a clear course on Marathon Monday.
“There will be an additional four miles of barricades, at various locations along the course in the cities and towns of Ashland, Natick, Newton, Wellesley and Boston,” the B.A.A. said in a statement this week ahead of April 15.
“This infrastructure has been added for multiple purposes including crowd support, wayfinding and branding obligations,” the association added. “Every year the B.A.A. and its partners review the course setup and equipment needs. Barricades are often requested for high traffic areas to help maintain a clear course.”
Last Marathon Monday, the B.A.A. had reportedly alerted Newton Police about spectators from Pioneers Run Crew, a Black- and Brown-led running group, jumping onto the course and impeding runners.
As a result, Newton police officers with bicycles lined up at the running group’s spot, restricting their cheering access to the road and their ability to give out high fives. Police officers also took positions behind the group’s tent. This doesn’t happen at other parts of the course, the group members said last year.
After last year’s race, the B.A.A. acknowledged that it had not done a good enough job communicating the policy that spectators are not allowed on the course. As a result, the “Spectator Guidelines” app feature is new this year.
“This addition allows us to proactively share the guidelines and helps us do a better job at communicating our clear course message to our spectators so that everyone can plan for a great day,” the B.A.A. said in a statement.
“Spectators are not allowed to enter the course, run alongside athletes, or impede athletes in any manner,” the guidelines read. “Any person on the course without an official race bib or accreditation will be directed to leave the course immediately.”
Other guidelines include: Spectators are prohibited from throwing any items onto the course, including confetti, streamers, bubbles and bottles; spectators are asked to refrain from the use of discriminatory or offensive language, or obscene gestures; and spectators are expected to refrain from verbal and physical harassment of staff, volunteers, race officials, public safety officials, participants and other spectators.