BAA Announces 2014 Marathon Policies

The BAA sent an email to all registered runners on Wednesday laying out policies for the 2014 Boston Marathon.

Here is the first part of the email.

TO 2014 BOSTON MARATHON PARTICIPANTS

As your training continues, we want to make you aware of several changes for the 2014 Boston Marathon in the areas of baggage, gear check, and allowable and prohibited items. The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) is working in partnership with public safety officials from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the eight cities and towns along the Boston Marathon course to make your race day experience safe and enjoyable.

New for this year, there will be a “no bags” policy for the 2014 Boston Marathon. We want to make you aware – with appropriate time so you can plan – of several adjustments. Please arrive early for the event and be prepared for security screening.

For the 2014 Boston Marathon, with an increased field size and for everyone’s safety, we will work with public safety officials to ensure that we preserve the exceptional race day experience that makes the Boston Marathon an icon in the world of sport while making race day safe and enjoyable for all.

We greatly appreciate your cooperation, patience, and understanding as we work with public safety officials to enforce these policies. Please visit www.baa.org for more race day information. We will post updated information as it becomes available.

We wish you the best of luck as your training continues.

Sincerely,

The B.A.A.

At the finish line the #BAA will be handing out a new Heatsheet® Warmth Retention Cape for warmth. This does look a lot better than the foil space blanket we have received in previous years.

The new policy also requires you to pick up your bib number in person. As usual, bring your ID. No one else can pick up your number for you. Last year one friend had to vouch for another friend who had forgotten her ID. I don’t think you will be able to do that this year. BRING YOUR ID TO THE EXPO. If you are traveling to Boston make sure you will arrive in plenty of time.

I had hoped that the BAA would provide a clear bag that we could take with us to Hopkinton. I got part of my wish, the bags they issue at the Expo will be clear, but they will stay in Boston on Marathon Monday. No other bags will be allowed. This seems like a reasonable policy to me.

How to prepare for race day

The BAA has us covered at the finish line, literally. The challenge is going to be the time before the race sitting on the football field in Hopkinton. We are runners, we can adapt to these new policies.

My plan for race day is to wear one or two “throw away” t-shirts to stay warm before the race. 2012 was very hot, but usually it is in the 50’s on Marathon Monday Morning. I am going to wear or bring a clear trash bag. This will serve as a wind breaker and rain coat if need be. The policy statement does not specifically prohibit clear trash bags, and they are commonly used at races to keep dry and warm.

Shirts discarded during the race will be picked up by charity groups. They wash them and sell or give them to people in their programs.

The largest item the BAA will allow is 5x15x5. That is a good size for a sign, but I need something to sit on. My plan will be to bring a piece of cardboard (or two pieces) that meets their specs and try to keep my butt dry with that. If they allow, I will bring an additional trash bag to sit on.

Food and Drink

There will be more bagels, water, Gatorade and coffee than you can consume in Hopkinton. So don’t worry too much about that unless you have special dietary needs. The largest fanny pack that you can bring is 5x15x5.

The belt in this photo is approximately 4×10 inches. If I put a cell phone in there very little else will fit. You should make sure your belt meets the BAA rules. If the one you have is smaller, I suggest buying a larger one.

Everything you want to carry with you needs to go in there. Some belts have loops for gels which would be helpful. Space will be at a premium.

Another idea is to wear shorts and shirt that have a pocket big enough to hold a gel or two. That way you will have more room in your belt for car keys, phone, etc. I think carrying your cell phone and YOUR ID are a good idea.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the BAA has water stops every mile from mile two to mile 25. They will have water and Gatorade. The people along the marathon course are very generous. It is not unusual to get orange slices, Fig Newtons, Popsicles, bottles of water etc. I even saw I guy get a bottle of Sam Adam’s many years ago.

You will not go hungry or die of thirst. My advice is to pack the essential items you need the most: what ever that may be. As runners we should look at these policies as just another challenge. Just another hill.

Bring it on. I can do this. You can do this. We’re all in for BOSTON! We are #BostonStrong!

Run well my Friends.

Andy