Jack Fleming, the President and CEO of the Boston Athletic Association (BAA), put out the following statement this afternoon:
“We know what the Boston Marathon means to our communities; it is very personal to so many of you. We know that everyone who participates loves to celebrate the excitement of the race, whether you are an athlete, volunteer, spectator or supporter.
However, this year, we know that we did not deliver on our promise to make it a great day for everyone. We met with two groups last night, who the B.A.A. proudly supports in their running activities, their members and their mission – PIONEERS Run Crew and TrailblazHers Run Co. – two of Boston’s premier clubs for BIPOC runners. They expressed to us their deep concerns that they were not given the chance to enjoy the day and celebrate their friends, families and all participants as they approached Heartbreak Hill – that is on us. It is our job, and we need to do better to create an environment that is welcoming and supportive of the BIPOC communities at the marathon.
We appreciate and rely on the support and services of the eight cities and towns that make up the Boston Marathon course. We could not do it without the first responders and law enforcement agencies across 26.2 miles that is necessary at an event of this scale. We ask for everyone’s support as we move forward to improve the event for generations to come.”
Contacted by Fig City News, some of those affected and concerned about the day’s events felt the BAA statement fell short of an apology.
The BAA is responsible for managing the Boston Marathon along with a series of other races. The BAA’s statement is in response to a controversy this year regarding spectators along the course by Heartbreak Hill in Newton (see earlier Fig City News coverage: Controversy on Mile 21 of the Marathon).
Update: Olympians weigh in
Two-time Olympian and 2018 Boston Marathon Champion Des Linden had remained quiet on the incident since posting “Best Party on the course” on Monday evening. On Saturday, she wrote in support of the Pioneer Running Club and Trailblazhers Run Co. in an Instagram post, “Best party on the course. @pioneersrc @trailblazhersrunco are changing the game, on the course and off of it. Nobody said it would be easy, but I see you and I’m here for the long game. Keep showing up.”
In 2018, Linden became the first American woman to win the Boston Marathon in 33 years, since the wins of Joan Benoit (1983) and Lisa Larsen Weidenbach (1985). According to the Boston Globe, Linden was the 3rd most tracked runner in the race, behind winner Evans Chebet and World record holder Eluid Kipchoge, and ahead of former Boston Bruin Zdeno Chara.
2018 & 2012 Olympian Kara Goucher‘s social media post on the night of the race increased awareness of the incident both locally and nationally:
Goucher ran the marathon in 2009, 2011, and 2013, placing 3rd, 5th, and 6th respectively. As someone passionate about social justice issues while also having depended on race course security throughout her career — and who experienced the 2013 bombing — she sees both sides of the issues. Contacted on Sunday for her reflections since that post, Goucher told Fig City News:
“The energy that the Pioneers Run Crew and Trailblazhers Run Co brought to the Boston Marathon is just what our sport needs. I agree no one should be impeding on racers, and I understand that the police were called multiple times. But I do think the running community needs to ask themselves- why was this cheer station so heavily policed when more famous rowdy sections of the course are beloved and considered tradition? I’m here for openness, conversation and making our running community truly inclusive.“
For background on the incident, see: Controversy on Mile 21 of Marathon.
For background on the City of Newton’s response, see: City of Newton responds to police activity at Marathon.
