By Colin Campbell 4/15 5:52pm

Boston Bombing

A man is loaded into an ambulance in Boston. (Getty Images)

New York Road Runners: ‘This Is a Tragic Day for All of Us in the Running Community’

As more details of the deadly explosions in Boston are released, the running community is slowly reacting to the shocking events.

Mary Wittenberg, the President and Chief Executive Officer of New York Road Runners, issued a statement lamenting the devastation and its impact on the running community in particular.

“All of our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families of the bombings at the Boston Marathon today, as well as with the runners, spectators, volunteers and staff of the Boston Athletic Association,” she said.

“Marathons bring out the best of the human spirit and unite our cities and towns. This is a tragic day for all of us in the running community. We are here in full support of our close friends at the BAA.” Read More

11/02/12 4:59pm

NYC Marathon

bloomy

How Strongly Worded Will Your Petition Against the Marathon Be?

Mayor Bloomberg and the CEO of New York Road Runners (NYRR), Mary Wittenberg, are already coming under intense criticism from public officials for their decision not delay the New York City Marathon this weekend. This hasn’t seemed to sway them from their position that the race will “pull people together.”

But maybe they haven’t been reading the letters over at the internet’s largest petition site, Change.org. Read More

By Matt Chaban 11/02/12 2:46pm

Marathon Man

A marathon runs through it. (Ed Reed/Mayor's Office)

Tears and Cheers: Mayor Bloomberg Says Marathon Will ‘Pull People Together’

Mayor Bloomberg has gotten his fair share of criticism for deciding to go ahead with the annual New York City Marathon, given the devastation throughout the city following Hurricane Sandy, including not far from the starting line in Staten Island. But the mayor is sticking to his previous promise to have the race run, to send a message of New York’s recovery and to help buoy an economy that has been battered by the storm.

“As Rudy Giuliani said to me this morning, he said, ‘You know, right after 9/11 people said the same thing,’” Mayor Bloomberg said. Being Mike Bloomberg, he then launched into an economic defense for his decision. “New York has to show that we’re here, we are going to recover, and that while we help people we can still help companies that need the business, still generate the tax base so that we have the resources to help people. We can give people something to cheer about in what’s been a very dismal week for some people.” Read More

By Drew Grant 8/24/12 10:17am

New York City Marathon

Runners must now carry belongings with them at all times (Getty Images)

New York City Marathon Adopts Airline Standards; No Longer Offering Free Bag Check to Runners

If you ever needed an excuse to tell friends and family why you won’t be participating in the grueling 26.2-mile New York City Marathon this year, the organizers at New York Road Runners just gave you an easy out. The NYRR announced yesterday that they will no longer be shuttling the bags of its participants from the start line in Fort Wadsworth to the finish in Central Park.

Meaning that if you want your cell phone, key, change of clothing or any other amenities once you’ve just finished putting your body through an grueling and unnecessarily taxing endurance challenge, you’ll have to carry them with you.

You would think the NYRR was doing this to save money–as the UPS trucks previously used to move the runners’ bags came out of the organization’s pockets–but you’d be wrong. They’re just doing it because they feel like it and are sick of getting yelled at for not delivering bags in an orderly fashion.

So now you runners get nothing. See how you like them apples! Read More