What effect will the attacks on the Boston Marathon have on running?

BenMicheal

Just interested to know what peoples views are on the effect the bombings in Boston will have on people taking up running?

Personally it stoked the fire of wanting to run the Boston Marathon someday and has made me more determined to get the quali time?

Interested to know what others think?

The_Nipper_One

It probably wont have any effect on running at all. I think most people will understand that it could have been any event at all targetted. It might have an effect on how events themselves are carried out security wise, but that will probably be the case for all public events... for a while at least.

Cabaal

For me, it;'ll have no affect and if I had an entry to any big city marathon including in Boston or the likes of New York I'd go, my wife tells me she'd rather I wouldn't for my own safety but as I've said to her statistically you have more chance being hit by a car as you walk to the shops.

You can't live your life on the basis that something might remotely happen.

Will it put people off taking up running, I very much doubt it.

Peckham

Undoubtedly there'll be more security at big US marathons. More restrictions. For Chicago in October I'm expecting an email at some stage to say there'll be no bag drop. Sadly this could do for big marathons what 9/11 did for flying.

Peregrinus

Peckham wrote: »

Sadly this could do for big marathons what 9/11 did for flying.

Which didn't, except in the pretty short term, deter any measurable amount of people from flying. Just like pub bombs have no more than a short-term effect on the numbers going to pubs, and the London Transport/Madrid train bombings didn't reduce commuter numbers on public transport.

So, yes, expect very visible, and somewhat inconvenient, security measures at marathons and similar events, plus a fair degree of "security theatre", which has little direct impact on security, but serves to reassure you that You Are Being Looked After. But numbers of participants will not be greatly affected.

Peckham

Peregrinus wrote: »

Which didn't, except in the pretty short term, deter any measurable amount of people from flying. Just like pub bombs have no more than a short-term effect on the numbers going to pubs, and the London Transport/Madrid train bombings didn't reduce commuter numbers on public transport.

So, yes, expect very visible, and somewhat inconvenient, security measures at marathons and similar events, plus a fair degree of "security theatre", which has little direct impact on security, but serves to reassure you that You Are Being Looked After. But numbers of participants will not be greatly affected.

I agree. Take a look at threads on Runners World forum - Boston 2014 will be massively oversubscribed. However the security theatre will make it a less enjoyable experience in the future (that's what I mean by saying it's similar to flying)

Cabaal

Thing is, whilst they likely will stop bag drops...or might atleast.

It wasn't a drop bag that held the explosive devices, if it was they would have been in the drop bag area and it weren't.

So unless they are going to stop anyone with a bag getting into the spectator area for the entire route of 26miles its impossible to provide security against such an event in the future. Unless of course they just cover start/finish area's.

Off hand I believe they had already swept the route twice for bombs before the event so really anything after that is going to be security theater in my eye's.

They can't protect an entire route and all the area's runners and spectators go before and after such a big event, the same as if a explosive device went off on the M50 today there's no way you could totally safeguard the entire M50 in future with the exception of stopping and searching every car that goes onto it in future all of the time and even that only has a certain success rate.

ger664

Peckham wrote: »

Take a look at threads on Runners World forum - Boston 2014 will be massively oversubscribed.

People who just make the GFA time probably won't get in next year. I am currently looking for 3:25 but fear I may need sub 3:20 to get there. Currently that may be one step too far

robinph

If someone is daft enough to try and stop bag drops for marathons then that will kill off that marathon. New York were going to try it, then they were told it was a bloody stupid idea so they changed it back again. Unfortunately now the people implementing the security theatre will claim they have some extra justification for it so New York may have another go at their cost saving/ money making effort to get rid of bags.

If that happens it would kill off the big city marathons, then people will just start doing the smaller ones instead.

BenMicheal

Cabaal wrote: »

For me, it;'ll have no affect and if I had an entry to any big city marathon including in Boston or the likes of New York I'd go, my wife tells me she'd rather I wouldn't for my own safety but as I've said to her statistically you have more chance being hit by a car as you walk to the shops.

You can't live your life on the basis that something might remotely happen.

Will it put people off taking up running, I very much doubt it.

In your reply you outline one issue that may arise?

As you say, If your wife is telling you not to run races for safety reasons needless to say she may think twice on attending races you compete in and as a result support will drop?

BenMicheal

Peregrinus wrote: »

So, yes, expect very visible, and somewhat inconvenient, security measures at marathons and similar events, plus a fair degree of "security theatre", which has little direct impact on security, but serves to reassure you that You Are Being Looked After. But numbers of participants will not be greatly affected.

Would this not result in higher entry fees due to increased security fees?

Shedite27

Peckham wrote: »

...there'll be no bag drop....

Thought about this aswell. Would be a disaster.

Also, plane explosions meant we couldn't being on liquids, please god they don't ban liquids from marathons

marchino

I just think it could be awkward now, thanks to them bastards.
Bags will be searched, bag dropping may be altered and as previously said, liquids
may (but probably not) be checked.
I agree, that it may blow over in time to come but, for now it probably will make
bigger events, a hassle.
Who wants to be rushed over a finish line and made gather Your stuff and move, at the end of Marathon, when your knackered physically and mentally, in most cases.
And not enjoy the moment with, family or whoever. Awkward now.

robinph

They are putting in extra coppers on the street for London:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22198325

But that is about all they can do, have extra people stood on the street in reflective jackets. They are just there to fool people into thinking that they are doing something constructive.

You can't do bag checks/ searches on the runner, and it's pretty pointless anyway as they are not wearing anything significant and their bags are just full of energy gels and a grotty tshirt to put on afterwards. You have to assume that the goody bags handed out at the end are all OK.
The main risk is the general public on the street, but that is no different to any other day in a big city and there is nothing you can do about the general public wandering round, you just have to hope for the best and accept that bad things might happen but are incredibly unlikely.

Cabaal

BenMicheal wrote: »

As you say, If your wife is telling you not to run races for safety reasons needless to say she may think twice on attending races you compete in and as a result support will drop?

Perhaps,
But in reality if I went to say New York or London next year she'd likely go, the same as any other event I've gone to.

So any drop in support would likely be very small and nothing worth writing home about, at the end of the day if the runner is going others are unlikely not to if they usual support them

Bugsy2000

Looking at eveything that's happened I have a feeling that this will turn out to be some type of 'redneck militia' (for want of a better description) that they seem to have dotted all over the states. And while they can also be quite dangerous, as per Monday, they don't tend to be a threat outside of the states and the furore over this will die down terms of the need for heightened security at marathons across the world. Although the States will feel the need for increased measures regardless of the perpetrators.

From my own perspective - on attending further marathons, this wouldn't put me off at all. I'd be all for giving the two fingers to people who do this type of thing. BUT! Whilst I would still love to do Boston, would it be fair to leave my partner & child for 4 - 5 days knowing that they will be a nervous wreck until the moment I step back on Irish soil. Because like it or not that's what will happen. It'll always be in the backs of runners & families minds & that's bound to have an effect on numbers. Or could you bring your family to the likes of Boston and be able to relax during the race knowing that they are waiting along the home straight for you. I'd say (& hope) the chances of something like this happening again are fairly slim but there's always that little niggle in your mind.

Another BUT! Any drop in numbers which may occur will be offset by people more determined to stand up to this type of thing.

My two cents anyway.

TRR

Was listening to a guy on today FM this morning (didn't catch his name) and he said he no longer listens to news etc as it adds nothing to his life. He stated and I agree with him that tragic events like child kidnapping, terrorist attacks, freaks of nature etc don't occur that frequently but constant listening to media coverage implants in our head that they are a daily occurrence. I kind of agree with him. This was a tragedy and could have happened at any sporting event, the symbolism attached with the Boston marathon on a patriots day is the reason it was targeted. It won't effect me or most people I know when it comes to running.

I would be telling a small lie though if I didn't admit that I will probably tell my wife not to bring the kids into the finish of DCM this year. It's irrational but I have been following these bombings quite closely through the media

Bugsy2000

TRR wrote: »

I would be telling a small lie though if I didn't admit that I will probably tell my wife not to bring the kids into the finish of DCM this year. It's irrational but I have been following these bombings quite closely through the media

You just proved my point from above. It's highly irrational and a million to one chance but there's always that little niggle in the back of the mind.

rom

If you live your life in fear then your not living. But the more you watch looping sky news etc the more that niggle will grow. In agreement with the OP that in a strange way what happened on Monday makes me want to run Boston even more. Maybe it's that I find the depraved bombings an attack on an integral part of me and a sport that I love.

TFBubendorfer

rom wrote: »

If you live your life in fear then your not living. But the more you watch looping sky news etc the more that niggle will grow. In agreement with the OP that in a strange way what happened on Monday makes me want to run Boston even more. Maybe it's that I find the depraved bombings an attack on an integral part of me and a sport that I love.

Same here. If anything, it makes me more likely to re-visit the Boston marathon, just to show the bastards that they won't win.

Probably won't have my wife and kids waiting for me at the finish line, though, just like TRR, in the full knowledge that it's irrational.

walshb

I would still take my chances running Boston than going to Palestine or Isarel or Iraq for a week away!

nerraw1111

walshb wrote: »

I would still take my chances running Boston than going to Palestine or Isarel or Iraq for a week away!

That's it. People need to step away from the laptops, put down the phone, switch off talk radio and get away from the relentless stream of misery.

If you were to listen to the media, the world is in ****e. Misery stalking us around every corner.

There was a decent piece in the Irish Times, specifically dealing with the constant rolling news in relation to Boston.

http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/watching-the-boston-bombings-on-facebook-and-twitter-plays-tricks-on-us-1.1362194

Cabaal

nerraw1111 wrote: »

That's it. People need to step away from the laptops, put down the phone, switch off talk radio and get away from the relentless stream of misery.

If you were to listen to the media, the world is in ****e. Misery stalking us around every corner.

Its actually worth doing once in awhile,

I used to listen to an awful lot of radio to/from work years ago, Matt Cooper every evening and Breakfast Show on Today FM every morning.

Finally got sick and tired of politics when Dempsey started going on about a petition against the government each morning, so I started listening to audiobooks each morning and evening.

Seriously refreshing and far far more interesting then hearing about politics and doom and gloom all the times.

Now I'm not saying people shouldn't pay attention to whats happened in Boston but listening to every bad thing on our 24/7 media isn't good for you in my view and it def warps your view on what the world is really like and how safe it is.

Ruu

I only have a couple of channels on the telly (rabbit ears!) and no social media accounts so have been shielded from the barrage of analysis, commentary, etc. I heard about the events from my mother in Ireland that evening and I am based in the US, shows how little attention I pay. :)The events won't change, I will run Boston someday. What runner wouldn't???

rom

Ruubot2 wrote: »

I only have a couple of channels on the telly (rabbit ears!) and no social media accounts so have been shielded from the barrage of analysis, commentary, etc. I heard about the events from my mother in Ireland that evening and I am based in the US, shows how little attention I pay. :)The events won't change, I will run Boston someday. What runner wouldn't???

boards is social media

robinph

rom wrote: »

boards is social media

The Ruubot used to be embedded into the code of boards.

Pisco Sour

A few years back I got an overnight bus from Sao Paulo to Iguassu Falls in Brazil. Great trip, comfortable, no complaints. A few weeks later in Buenos Aires I meet an English couple who told me they were on that exact same bus as me 6 days later and they got hijacked by gunmen, were all taken off the bus at gunpoint and robbed of everything they had.

Scary stuff, but the reality is that it's a freak event and doesn't happen very often. It didn't stop me getting on buses for the rest of my journey in South America, and it certainly didn't stop them as they continued on with their journey.

Moral of the story is that I don't think it's particularly healthy to live your life in fear of what might happen. What happened in Boston was a freak event and not something I would consider running specific. It could happen at any sort of public gathering.

These tragic events will have zero impact on people running marathons.

plodder

On the contrary, I suspect they will be overwhelmed (more than usual) with people wanting to run it next year.