Today is Patriot’s Day in Massachusetts, otherwise known as Marathon Monday to many in Boston. A unique situation has developed over the past few days, as the forecast indicates temperatures reaching the high 80s tomorrow.
Because of the sheer number of runners participating in the Boston Marathon, there are several wave starts. The elite runners will take off at 9:00 a.m., with the last wave taking off at 10:40 a.m—when the temperature is expected to be in the upper 70s. By the time the last wave finishes, temperatures will most likely be in the mid to upper 80s.
Due to the heat concerns this year, the B.A.A. (group that operates the Boston Marathon) decided to allow entered runners to defer their entry to the next year if they are concerned about the hot conditions.
If a runner chooses to defer entry to the 2013 race, however, he/she will have to pay the entry fee again for the 2013 race. Additionally, he/she must pick up his/her bib number– though he/she CANNOT start the race). This will pose an interesting situation when registration opens for the 2013 Boston Marathon.
It has to be a really tough decision for those who have paid for travel, accommodations, etc. Do you run knowing that you may have not have a great race, despite having worked your tail off to qualify? However, if you choose the deferral option, you are out another couple hundred dollars for registration next year.
I have a really tough time running in hot conditions, so I think it would be a tough decision for me. What would you do?
Definitely 80’s is tough. I finished the Steamtown Marathon in October when the temps were mid 80’s and it was really hard. It would be a tough decision for me too ….
Because I live only an hour south of Boston I think I would defer until next year. I am horrible in the heat and would be miserable for the entire run.
If I flew in / rented a hotel etc I would still run it. I went up to Boston Saturday to have dinner with some runners from around the country I’ve met online, and they were all going to run in it.
Now I just have to get 27 minutes faster so I can worry about this problem….
I think that’s exactly what I would do! 🙂
I would run. It seems like a waste of money and raining not to run.
I run in 100* in the summer frequently and 80 is a nice relief. Granted I’ve never run a marathon, it seems to me one should he able to run in heat.
And everyone will he equally handicapped by the heat.
I would run it too… I just hope everyone can be smart and not push themselves too hard. Should be interesting to follow!
I would run it. No matter what race you sign up for, you never know what the conditions are going to be, and that’s part of racing. That being said, I would have been really bummed if I had been running Boston this year, just because it’s something I’d want to really savor and enjoy, and not feel like I was suffering through it. Hopefully I’ll get my spot next year, and the weather will be cooler!!!