As of April 21, 2014, 372 days will have passed since the 117th Boston Marathon. This day will mark the first Boston Marathon since the tragic events that took place at the finish line on Boylston Street in 2013. After the bombs went off, over 200 people were injured and three were killed at the finish line. One police officer was later killed during the massive manhunt that shut down Greater Boston.
During the aftermath of the bombings, there was much speculation as to what changes would be implemented during the 118th running of the world’s oldest marathon. One of the major concerns being addressed this year is allowing those who were unable to finish the course last year to have the opportunity to run the race again, make the famous turns—“right on Hereford Street, left on Boylston Street”—and finally cross the finish line. Over 5000 runners who were stopped were given an invitation to come back and try their hand at the 26.2 mile course again.
Historically, the Boston Marathon has two ways for runners to enter. The first way is by qualifying in an approved marathon within a specific time for one’s age group. The second is by applying to be a member of an approved charity team and raise money and awareness in exchange for a bib number. This year, over 9,000 more runners than normal have been granted entry. The course limit was previously 27,000 runners, but this year there will be 36,000 people on the course. The extra entries include those who could not finish last year, first responders of last year’s bombings, runners who are supporting the One Fund charity and, finally, teams running in memory of those who passed away.
Due to the increased field size, the Boston Athletic Association announced in the beginning of March 2014 that the long-standing tradition of unregistered Ruck Marchers marching the course from Hopkinton to Boston would be ending. When registration for the Tough Ruck closed on January 31, 746 people had registered to support fallen soldiers. Typically, those participating in the Tough Ruck can be seen marching the course in full military fatigues and carrying their rucksacks. This year, the Tough Ruck will be held at Minuteman Historical National Park in Concord, Mass. on April 19, 2014, which is the same day as the Boston Athletic Association 5k.
There are significant rules and regulations that will be implemented this year to prevent the possibility of another tragedy. Runners will not be allowed to bring bags on the busses from Boston Common to the starting line in Hopkinton. Runners will also not be allowed to check bags to be transported back to Boston, something that, prior to this change, had been done in previous years.
Bags will not be allowed at or around the finish line. The BAA has announced, however, that there will be an area on Boston Common set up for an official bag check. This allows for registered participants an option to leave an extra set of clothes and shoes in a clear bag provided by the BAA. Another new feature this year will be the debut of Heatsheet Warmth Retention Capes. These capes are replacing the Mylar capes that were once handed out at the finish line. The new capes are being distributed in order to accommodate the changes in the baggage policy.
During the race, runners will not be allowed to use Camelbak hydration devices or even small backpacks. Costumes that cover one’s face or that are bulky and extend past the body are also prohibited.
Other new security changes include an increased police presence. There will be over 3,500 police officers, both uniformed and undercover, protecting the marathon course. In addition, there will be an increase in surveillance cameras along the route.
Kurt Schwartz, director of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, recently discussed these changes with Runner’s World. Schwartz claims that runners will not be impacted by these changes after the beginning of the race. The thousands of spectators that line the streets between Hopkinston and Boylston Street in Boston will, however, notice them. There will be more barriers set up along the route, including stretches of the course that were once open.
“We don’t want to scare anyone away. We want people to come out and have fun like they always have,” said Schwartz. “We think we’re achieving the right balance. We think that the public will not only be comfortable with our extra precautions, but they will welcome them.”