Don’t be alarmed Saturday morning if you see hundreds of people running east along Washington St. and Comm. Ave. It’s not people fleeing Wellesley to avoid a Trump rally. It’s just the final long training run for many of the people running the Boston Marathon. According to an automated message sent out this afternoon from the City, from 9am until 1pm on Saturday the Boston Athletic Association will be holding a training run along the Marathon route and we may expect traffic delays. There have been signs along the route to this effect the past few days. So adjust your Saturday morning errands accordingly! And to all those running this year’s Marathon, have a good final long run and enjoy the next few “taper” weeks until the race.
Warning! Runners crossing
by Dan Foley | Mar 25, 2016 | Newton | 42 comments
Yes, this was good of the Boston Athletic Association to hold this the day before a religious holiday when more people than usual are running around and doing errands. As a matter of fact, why don’t they do this every weekend until the race and then the weekend after that Monday as a sort of reunion run?
Yes, this was good of the Boston Athletic Association to hold this the day before a religious holiday when more people than usual are running around and doing errands. As a matter of fact, why don’t they do this every weekend until the race and then the weekend after that Monday as a sort of reunion run?
I’m with Mark – I don’t see why the city should be disrupted just because people want to train for the Marathon. Among other things, for those of us who use the library, this is very disruptive because it will be closed on Sunday for Easter. It will also make things difficult for people trying to go to Shabbat services Saturday morning – many of the city’s synagogues are along the route.
I’m with Mark – I don’t see why the city should be disrupted just because people want to train for the Marathon. Among other things, for those of us who use the library, this is very disruptive because it will be closed on Sunday for Easter. It will also make things difficult for people trying to go to Shabbat services Saturday morning – many of the city’s synagogues are along the route.
The roads aren’t closed and, if memory serves correct, there will be police at the big intersections. But at the smaller roads, say Comm and Temple, you’ve gotta wait a bit.
I don’t expect it’ll really be that big of a problem. More that the City is giving a heads up. As for timing, it’s just three weekends before the race. That’s the typical “final long run.” Couple years ago the race was the day after Easter now it’s three weeks before.
The roads aren’t closed and, if memory serves correct, there will be police at the big intersections. But at the smaller roads, say Comm and Temple, you’ve gotta wait a bit.
I don’t expect it’ll really be that big of a problem. More that the City is giving a heads up. As for timing, it’s just three weekends before the race. That’s the typical “final long run.” Couple years ago the race was the day after Easter now it’s three weeks before.
Looks like I’ll be walking tomorrow morning.
Strange that something that was important enough for a reverse-911 call isn’t on the city website, at least not anywhere obvious (most content seems a week to a month out of date)
It’s an honor and a privilege to live in a city that hosts one of — if not the most — famous and inspiring races in the world. It’s also an honor and privilege to live near the world-famous series of hills along that route.
If that means a few hours of inconvenience on a weekend morning a few weeks before this inspiring event that we’re privileged to have a front row seat to, I’m entirely at peace
with that. I encourage others consider taking a slow, luxurious, deep breath and view this the same way. Ommmmm
Looks like I’ll be walking tomorrow morning.
Strange that something that was important enough for a reverse-911 call isn’t on the city website, at least not anywhere obvious (most content seems a week to a month out of date)
It’s an honor and a privilege to live in a city that hosts one of — if not the most — famous and inspiring races in the world. It’s also an honor and privilege to live near the world-famous series of hills along that route.
If that means a few hours of inconvenience on a weekend morning a few weeks before this inspiring event that we’re privileged to have a front row seat to, I’m entirely at peace
with that. I encourage others consider taking a slow, luxurious, deep breath and view this the same way. Ommmmm
@Greg,
I might agree with you except that practically every weekend, there is some road race of some kind going on in the City. It becomes a huge hassle every time you try to get somewhere and the roads are either reduced to one lane, blocked off or rerouted completely. I agree the Boston Marathon is an exception but sorry, this is a hassle.
@Greg,
I might agree with you except that practically every weekend, there is some road race of some kind going on in the City. It becomes a huge hassle every time you try to get somewhere and the roads are either reduced to one lane, blocked off or rerouted completely. I agree the Boston Marathon is an exception but sorry, this is a hassle.
I’ve always enjoyed the Boston Marathon. I don’t mind giving up the streets for a once-a-year, major sporting and social event. But this was ridiculous today. Even more ridiculous because of the late public notice. Public roads–public use! Don’t do it again next year. I’d like to know exactly who authorized this event today?
I’ve always enjoyed the Boston Marathon. I don’t mind giving up the streets for a once-a-year, major sporting and social event. But this was ridiculous today. Even more ridiculous because of the late public notice. Public roads–public use! Don’t do it again next year. I’d like to know exactly who authorized this event today?
@Mike,
This is not the first time this event has been held. In fact, the training run is a few years old now. At least we got some notice this time. In past years, there was no notice at all. If there were police officers on detail for this event, there had to have been permission granted by the City. Call the Mayor’s office on Monday and ask/complain.
@Mike,
This is not the first time this event has been held. In fact, the training run is a few years old now. At least we got some notice this time. In past years, there was no notice at all. If there were police officers on detail for this event, there had to have been permission granted by the City. Call the Mayor’s office on Monday and ask/complain.
Thanks, Whole Truth. I was traveling a lot last spring and must have missed this training run. I don’t remember it from prior years. To me, one of the things that makes the Boston Marathon so wonderful, is the amount of money runners raise for charity. I’ve been donating to the same five local marathoners for many years. Writing checks usually doesn’t put a smile on my face, but I smile every year when I write those five checks. It would change my opinion of today’s training run if it had a charitable component. Even if that meant the BAA cut a single, substantial check to one worthwhile charity.
Thanks, Whole Truth. I was traveling a lot last spring and must have missed this training run. I don’t remember it from prior years. To me, one of the things that makes the Boston Marathon so wonderful, is the amount of money runners raise for charity. I’ve been donating to the same five local marathoners for many years. Writing checks usually doesn’t put a smile on my face, but I smile every year when I write those five checks. It would change my opinion of today’s training run if it had a charitable component. Even if that meant the BAA cut a single, substantial check to one worthwhile charity.
I found this less disruptive than other weekends. At least there are police at the major intersections guiding runners and cars. On many weekends, it’s just runners blithely going along the carriage lane, thinking it’s a closed road! Or my “favorite” pet peeve, running on a green arrow, which is for the cars not runners/walkers. (I’m a runner and it drives me nuts when I see that happen.) So this is much better.
Today’s run is organized to some degree by the BAA, likely as an attempt to contain it, not to create standalone event. If it weren’t organized for a certain time, we’d probably see people running for an even longer, spread out duration. So while it may have caused an extra minute wait, it coulda been worse.
File this under: No good deed goes unpunished. This event has been going on for, according to WholeTruth, at least a few years now with little angst. Then the city tries to be proactive and tell people, and blood pressures rise. Geesh.
I found this less disruptive than other weekends. At least there are police at the major intersections guiding runners and cars. On many weekends, it’s just runners blithely going along the carriage lane, thinking it’s a closed road! Or my “favorite” pet peeve, running on a green arrow, which is for the cars not runners/walkers. (I’m a runner and it drives me nuts when I see that happen.) So this is much better.
Today’s run is organized to some degree by the BAA, likely as an attempt to contain it, not to create standalone event. If it weren’t organized for a certain time, we’d probably see people running for an even longer, spread out duration. So while it may have caused an extra minute wait, it coulda been worse.
File this under: No good deed goes unpunished. This event has been going on for, according to WholeTruth, at least a few years now with little angst. Then the city tries to be proactive and tell people, and blood pressures rise. Geesh.
It would have helped if the message had made it clear that there wouldn’t be road closures. When people get a message saying there will be disruption because of a run along the Marathon route, they picture Marathon-day disruption unless told otherwise.
It would have helped if the message had made it clear that there wouldn’t be road closures. When people get a message saying there will be disruption because of a run along the Marathon route, they picture Marathon-day disruption unless told otherwise.
@Greg,
I’m not sure about the angst level…
I’m pretty sure that this is the first time that the City has let us know about it AND the first time there has been a blog thread for people to express their angst. 😉
@Greg,
I’m not sure about the angst level…
I’m pretty sure that this is the first time that the City has let us know about it AND the first time there has been a blog thread for people to express their angst. 😉
Hi folks, just to clarify – the official BAA training run does indeed occur each year, usually about three weeks before the marathon. This is the second year that we have issued a robo call to let people know about it. We felt it was effective last year and decided to do it again this year. We have made significant efforts to not only reduce the number of road races taking place in the city, but also to rearrange the route of existing races to minimize inconvenience. We appreciate everyone’s understanding and patience this morning!
Hi folks, just to clarify – the official BAA training run does indeed occur each year, usually about three weeks before the marathon. This is the second year that we have issued a robo call to let people know about it. We felt it was effective last year and decided to do it again this year. We have made significant efforts to not only reduce the number of road races taking place in the city, but also to rearrange the route of existing races to minimize inconvenience. We appreciate everyone’s understanding and patience this morning!
Why did the chicken cross the road? Because it had a green light at Comm Ave and Centre while on a training run.
Why did the chicken cross the road? Because it had a green light at Comm Ave and Centre while on a training run.
@Aaron Goldman– I’m glad to know someone at City Hall monitors V-14. Thank you for your comment and explanation about yesterday’s training run. Although I don’t believe we’ve met before, I am an admirer of your work, and I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all you do for Newton. Mayor Warren is most fortunate to have you on his team.
@Aaron Goldman– I’m glad to know someone at City Hall monitors V-14. Thank you for your comment and explanation about yesterday’s training run. Although I don’t believe we’ve met before, I am an admirer of your work, and I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all you do for Newton. Mayor Warren is most fortunate to have you on his team.
Just thought I would mention that this training run did not occur ON Commonwealth Ave. It occurred on the carriage lane. I live on the carriage lane but lucky enough to be on a corner lot, so I moved my car onto the cross street before the runners came through. For my neighbors not near a cross street (for example, between Ruane and Temple in West Newton) this was, indeed, a hardship. It has been happening too often in recent years. Had I not moved my car early enough, I would not have been able to exit my driveway for hours this past Saturday.
Just thought I would mention that this training run did not occur ON Commonwealth Ave. It occurred on the carriage lane. I live on the carriage lane but lucky enough to be on a corner lot, so I moved my car onto the cross street before the runners came through. For my neighbors not near a cross street (for example, between Ruane and Temple in West Newton) this was, indeed, a hardship. It has been happening too often in recent years. Had I not moved my car early enough, I would not have been able to exit my driveway for hours this past Saturday.
Aside from notifications and blood pressure monitoring, I should add that we drove up Walnut St Saturday morning- we saw the runners at Commonwealth, along with the police detail, and experienced little or no delay getting through.
Good luck to all the runners on Patriots Day
Aside from notifications and blood pressure monitoring, I should add that we drove up Walnut St Saturday morning- we saw the runners at Commonwealth, along with the police detail, and experienced little or no delay getting through.
Good luck to all the runners on Patriots Day
I love that running and biking events are prevalent in Newton as well as all other community events. It is a part of the fabric and spirit of Newton. I love that people from all over the world are able to run through the place we enjoy everyday. It’s a minor inconvenience to some but a great delight for many others. Me included.
I love that running and biking events are prevalent in Newton as well as all other community events. It is a part of the fabric and spirit of Newton. I love that people from all over the world are able to run through the place we enjoy everyday. It’s a minor inconvenience to some but a great delight for many others. Me included.
Martibowen, I love this stuff, too, and the actual marathon is a wonderful neighborhood happening!! Please understand that its just really hard to lose access to one’s driveway for 4 – 5 hours! Its truly more than a minor inconvenience. And, its truly happening more and more (Jimmy Fund Walk, NWH HopeWalk, weekly charity running teams, school teams….).
Martibowen, I love this stuff, too, and the actual marathon is a wonderful neighborhood happening!! Please understand that its just really hard to lose access to one’s driveway for 4 – 5 hours! Its truly more than a minor inconvenience. And, its truly happening more and more (Jimmy Fund Walk, NWH HopeWalk, weekly charity running teams, school teams….).
@Mike Striar – Thanks very much for the kind words, much appreciated!
@Mike Striar – Thanks very much for the kind words, much appreciated!