Closing city streets for marathons or bike tours is absolute stupidity. People can do these activities elsewhere or not at all. They serve no actual important purpose in society.
4
There is another way the runners and bicycle racers present a danger to the community - they more often then not do not obey traffic and sidewalk rules during their non-race practices and ordinary exercise.
As a pedestrian in the city I know which way cars are going but bicycle riders and runners come in all directions, in the bike lanes, in the street, on the sidewalk, in the crosswalk, with traffic and against traffic.
And of course they more often then not don't obey the traffic and bicycle lane lights.
They speed around in parks in the paths marked for walking, again in any direction.
They often wear headphones so they can't hear warning shouts.
All in I find bicycles and runners the most dangerous part of walking in the city.
As a pedestrian in the city I know which way cars are going but bicycle riders and runners come in all directions, in the bike lanes, in the street, on the sidewalk, in the crosswalk, with traffic and against traffic.
And of course they more often then not don't obey the traffic and bicycle lane lights.
They speed around in parks in the paths marked for walking, again in any direction.
They often wear headphones so they can't hear warning shouts.
All in I find bicycles and runners the most dangerous part of walking in the city.
7
Could not agree more, and I am a runner.
Another extremely annoying and dangerous behavior is running in the street, sometimes two or three abreast, when there are perfectly good sidewalks and paths right alongside. That goes double when they're running with traffic and not against, as is the rule.
I try to practice good etiquette when I'm out. Sometimes it's unavoidable to go into the street, but I'm back on the sidewalk as soon as possible.
It takes just a few self-absorbed, ignorant people to make all of us look bad.
Another extremely annoying and dangerous behavior is running in the street, sometimes two or three abreast, when there are perfectly good sidewalks and paths right alongside. That goes double when they're running with traffic and not against, as is the rule.
I try to practice good etiquette when I'm out. Sometimes it's unavoidable to go into the street, but I'm back on the sidewalk as soon as possible.
It takes just a few self-absorbed, ignorant people to make all of us look bad.
3
Not everyone who runs or bikes participates in races. Can you elaborate on how you are able to distinguish people who race from those who just exercise? If you cannot then it is unfair to blame people who race for the problem you describe.
One needs a college degree today to compete for jobs, even jobs which, in the past, required only a high school diploma (Thanks to SCOTUS.). Colleges charge what the market will bear. When more money became readily available through grants, student loans and HELOCs, encouraged by a well-meaning government, tuition increased to absorb the newly available funds.
Eliminating student loans would be a first step in bringing down tuition. Colleges need to fill seats and if they cannot get those who are able to pay more because they can borrow more, the schools will have to cut prices.
Currently, there is no shortage of college seats. If enough students do not have sufficient funds available to pay the asking price, the price has to come down to maintain enrollment.
Supply and demand - The Market Place.
Eliminating student loans would be a first step in bringing down tuition. Colleges need to fill seats and if they cannot get those who are able to pay more because they can borrow more, the schools will have to cut prices.
Currently, there is no shortage of college seats. If enough students do not have sufficient funds available to pay the asking price, the price has to come down to maintain enrollment.
Supply and demand - The Market Place.
This is not the article to which I posted.
5
The solution may be as simple as building temporary marathon pedestrian bridges over the right roads. So medical care can make it to and from sections of town it normally would. A map, course and planning design, and architectural problem.
These bridges could have long or short inclines and could be a feature of the course. Boston's killer cross overs versus Amsterdam's Dutch designer bridges. Harder bridges could be built next to easier ones, essentially offering two courses, depending on the skill and fitness of the runner. The lower sloped bridges for wheelchair racers too.
Adding this simple emergency egress assistance feature (a bridge for runners to run over a road that needs to be active or accessable) could make marathons more interesting for runners, TV, and non enthusiast spectators.
These bridges could have long or short inclines and could be a feature of the course. Boston's killer cross overs versus Amsterdam's Dutch designer bridges. Harder bridges could be built next to easier ones, essentially offering two courses, depending on the skill and fitness of the runner. The lower sloped bridges for wheelchair racers too.
Adding this simple emergency egress assistance feature (a bridge for runners to run over a road that needs to be active or accessable) could make marathons more interesting for runners, TV, and non enthusiast spectators.
I live around the corner from the NY Marathon's route on the UES. It used to be fun to stand on the sidelines but in recent years, the crowd is rowdy and no one moves no matter how loud you say, "Excuse me." Since I've aged out of having friends run, I now walk in the other direction.
It is certainly not a surprise that a "large" event impacts others living in the area. It certainly is thus not surprising that emergency response times increase. And since response time is directly correlated to impact, including death, death rates increase.
The reality is that everything we do; from dropping a banana peal, to assaulting somebody, to go to work during rush hour, to smoking, to .... impacts others; at times beneficially, at times not.
For example: Going to work increases the GDP which we may consider beneficial to society. We tend to accept the associated increase of death rates caused by road congestion or accidents.
Should we force companies to have moving shift changes to alleviate traffic so to reduce death rates in early morning traffic? Should we set the speed limit to 20 miles an hour to reduce killing of pedestrians by car? Should I even be allowed to exist since my writing here will cause somebody to choke and die?
I hope my musing make it evident how absurd such thinking may become.
What society deems acceptable is a matter of degree. If mass gatherings should be forced to do more to alleviate congestion, we can an ordinance or law. But with equal justification some people urge that government should be limited. If we pass too many ordinances some event type will not be affordable.
The reality is that everything we do; from dropping a banana peal, to assaulting somebody, to go to work during rush hour, to smoking, to .... impacts others; at times beneficially, at times not.
For example: Going to work increases the GDP which we may consider beneficial to society. We tend to accept the associated increase of death rates caused by road congestion or accidents.
Should we force companies to have moving shift changes to alleviate traffic so to reduce death rates in early morning traffic? Should we set the speed limit to 20 miles an hour to reduce killing of pedestrians by car? Should I even be allowed to exist since my writing here will cause somebody to choke and die?
I hope my musing make it evident how absurd such thinking may become.
What society deems acceptable is a matter of degree. If mass gatherings should be forced to do more to alleviate congestion, we can an ordinance or law. But with equal justification some people urge that government should be limited. If we pass too many ordinances some event type will not be affordable.
2
Rush hour also causes traffic delays and congestion. If we abolish work, the streets will be much emptier and medical transport faster.
4
So the upshot is that shutting down cities for road races slows down medical response time, jeopardizing resident safety. For the haters of mass participatory events (runs, bike rides, etc.), this is fodder for their claims that "non-essential" events are too disruptive. But consider this -- Sidewalks unnecessarily narrow streets that would otherwise be wider, increasing response time of medical personnel. So maybe we don't need to only get rid of road races, we need to eliminate sidewalks altogether. We need to evolve towards an entirely automobile-dependent society. In short, the conclusion of the study is pointless.
2
One solution would be to confine road races to multiple laps of a loop course and ensuring there are no residences and hospitals inside the loop that might need to be accessed. Boring, but safer courses around office and industrial parks that are largely empty anyway on weekends could help resolve this very real public safety issue. By the way, some races such as the renowned Boston Marathon should not be subject to course alteration. There are plenty of newer marathons and half marathons whose identity isn't so closely linked to a well-trodden and historic course.
1
Relax. Marathons and the like are urban lib fads and consequently are not going anywhere soon. Didn't mean that as a pun.
1
In NYC, it's not just the Marathon, it's also the 5-boro Bike Tour, the Halloween parade, the Gay Pride parade, and then (with lesser effects) EVERY parade the city authorizes, plus those &#%* "STREET FAIRS" (which clog the city streets one way or another pretty much every weekend from April to December).
Nobody in NYC administration seems to ever consider this issue, but lives are indirectly being jeopardized by all these events. Yet I know nothing will change, because NYC is all about the $$$ the events bring in. If you are unlucky enough to need EMT care & an ambulance during any of these events, hey, good luck to you.
Nobody in NYC administration seems to ever consider this issue, but lives are indirectly being jeopardized by all these events. Yet I know nothing will change, because NYC is all about the $$$ the events bring in. If you are unlucky enough to need EMT care & an ambulance during any of these events, hey, good luck to you.
7
I took a taxi to the hospital when I went into labor. I didn't realize that there was a half marathon in between me and the hospital, we got stuck in traffic for 45 minutes (7 am on a Sunday morning) and eventually had to basically drive around barriers and cross the race route to get around the traffic jam. I think the new idea they have of alternately blocking streets so that waves of cars can pass sounds like a good solution, though I am not sure if it works.
6
The answer to not enough people knowing CPR might be making it easier to get the training. Offer it at workplaces. More people might take the time to learn it. The same can be said for some other things that we're chronically short on like blood for transfusions.
2
Let's face it - City-sponsored marathons and ironman competitions, just like dedicated bicycle paths, are little more than ego-trips for rich urban (mainly white) people who do this for recreation but view themselves as athletes. Streets are blocked off, road space is taken away for bicycle paths (very few people use these for work), traffic is disrupted, motorists are annoyed and occasionally insulted by cyclists who ignore rules, all for what? So that some city can claim they have bicycle paths and marathons. Let's do away with this nonsense. If a marathon brings economic benefits to a city (e.g., NYC, Boston, Paris), then the police dept and organizers must provide alternative routes for the citizens.
18
I've fumed about marathons in DC for years, but reading comments made here has me rethinking the issue and how I have always
responded. We can learn and change. Not a bad reminder in these
wretched and confused times.
responded. We can learn and change. Not a bad reminder in these
wretched and confused times.
4
For patients who 'drove themselves' (?!) or were driven by friends/relatives maybe they should stop at the closest marathon medical station to get quick assistance.
1
We have stopped hosting races at our university because of the impacts on the surrounding neighborhood. The peace and quite of our neighbors is more important than bringing in thousands, picking up their trash and other remains, street closures and life/safety issues. We encourage races to take place early on Sunday mornings in a downtown setting that is typically very quiet and easier to manage at that time.
15
In view of this, the Golden State Warriors should be ashamed they succeeded in siting their new arena right near an important medical center in San Francisco, despite opposition indicating exactly the risk now documented. Disgusting pursuit of $$$. "The Chase Center will feature restaurants, cafes, offices, public plazas, and more" ...and will be 1,000 feet from a children's hospital, in addition to being adjacent to UCSF Medical Center.
15
I don't blame the Warriors. I blame the city for approving it.
4
This article points out a problem and therefore provides a context for solutions. It also, in this clickbait, read only the headlines world, provides a invitation to a comment-athon of runners vs. people who hate marathons. No one is calling for a marathon ban, just as studies about car crashes don't call for cars to be banned. Now that there's proof, we can look for ways of easing traffic, rerouting runners, making defibrillators more widely available (put em in Starbucks or in old phone booths with a keycode or near those plug ins for electric cars or IN CARS, heck I don't know, whatever -- just start thinking about it). We can't ignore the data. But we can use it -- and apply it to other major city-wide traffic snarlers. Don't pit the baseball fans against the runners against the ER docs against the patients. Many of us are many of those things.
13
Clearly events that are scheduled to close down large parts of cities for long times need to start planning how to get emergency vehicles through their events quickly, even if it means leaving a lane free. Heart attacks are only one measure, anything that has a minutes are critical timeline needs to move; fires would be another good example, as would strokes.
9
Yeah, who would have guessed that closing down a large part of a large, high-density city such as NY for an entire day from early morning to 6pm could cause serious problems - even deaths?
And to those here claiming there would be no need for emergency medical services if more people ran or biked - you do know that no one, no matter how fit, is immortal or immune to medical emergencies, right? A few people die taking part in the Marathon every year, too - but at least, they're willing participants.
The rest of us - millions of people - are hostage to the event and can only pray that we don't have an emergency ourselves or any major disaster.
There are logical solutions such as having the NY Marathon, for example, run in loops in Central Park instead of shutting down most of the city. But now that the Marathon has become some sort of sacred ritual, it's unlikely the event sponsors or participants would agree to any such changes, no matter what.
There are many other events in this city that are also disruptive and shut down many streets to traffic, for example, the various parades. But each of these is just for a few hours and confined to much smaller areas, so the impact on public health and safety isn't nearly as serious.
And to those here claiming there would be no need for emergency medical services if more people ran or biked - you do know that no one, no matter how fit, is immortal or immune to medical emergencies, right? A few people die taking part in the Marathon every year, too - but at least, they're willing participants.
The rest of us - millions of people - are hostage to the event and can only pray that we don't have an emergency ourselves or any major disaster.
There are logical solutions such as having the NY Marathon, for example, run in loops in Central Park instead of shutting down most of the city. But now that the Marathon has become some sort of sacred ritual, it's unlikely the event sponsors or participants would agree to any such changes, no matter what.
There are many other events in this city that are also disruptive and shut down many streets to traffic, for example, the various parades. But each of these is just for a few hours and confined to much smaller areas, so the impact on public health and safety isn't nearly as serious.
13
I guess that depends on whether you plan to have your heart attack during the parade, or before or after. Surely a 3 hour parade is less disruptive overall than a 12 hour marathon, in terms of duration of the event, but I am not sure the person having the heart attack during the parade cares that the parade was going to end soon.
3
A lot of comments seem to be zeroed in on being pro- or anti-marathon. But, despite the headline, the point of the research isn't marathons.
The reason that the researchers looked at marathons is because it was a variable they could control over 11 cities. There is no standard length for parades or sports celebrations or bike-a-thons or whatever in different cities, but a marathon is 26.2 miles no matter where it's held, and that allows for researchers to compare data across cities. Controlling for variables like this is an important part of scientific research.
The reason that the researchers looked at marathons is because it was a variable they could control over 11 cities. There is no standard length for parades or sports celebrations or bike-a-thons or whatever in different cities, but a marathon is 26.2 miles no matter where it's held, and that allows for researchers to compare data across cities. Controlling for variables like this is an important part of scientific research.
10
There is value in keeping the urban transportation infrastructure flowing at all times.
A companion article might investigate how many excess deaths occur because of regular, predictable traffic jams (San Francisco is Exhibit A). Congestion charges exist to eliminate traffic jams, it should be considered urban incompetence to have regular traffic jams. At some price point the traffic will flow.
A companion article might investigate how many excess deaths occur because of regular, predictable traffic jams (San Francisco is Exhibit A). Congestion charges exist to eliminate traffic jams, it should be considered urban incompetence to have regular traffic jams. At some price point the traffic will flow.
10
This is nothing to both the Halloween Parade and the Gay Pride Parade. On Halloween, particularly, the streets are completely impassable for several blocks on either side of the parade. The huge number of costumed spectators would make it difficult even for police officers on foot to reach an emergency.
2
I train with triathletes. Triathlons are often organized by charities and I suspect that is true about other races as well. Charities net a considerable amount of money from such events so I suspect they are not going away anytime soon.
Of course the charity doesn't really care if you complete just so long as you pay the fees (charitable contributions). As for the athletes, they get to have fun and feel good for contributing to various causes
Of course the charity doesn't really care if you complete just so long as you pay the fees (charitable contributions). As for the athletes, they get to have fun and feel good for contributing to various causes
Who thinks up this stuff?
The Seattle Mariners play more than 80 home games in the heart of downtown Seattle every year, averaging about 28,000 fans in attendance, creating significant traffic impacts on freeways, arterials and surface streets before and after each game. Then there are the Seattle Seahawks, Sounders and various concert events of much larger size. And then there are the UW Huskies games, Opening Day of Boating Season, Seafair and hydro races, each of which is a major widespread traffic event for hours.
And then there are truck accidents that block freeways for hours many times a year.
And twice a year, at 7 am on quiet Sunday mornings when there is almost no traffic, there are marathons. Freeway and surface traffic is moderately affected around the start/finish, but nowhere else. The whole deal is over well before Sunday brunch.
The health benefits of training for and running, walking or wheelchairing a half or full marathon, in the company of 10,000 or so similarly motivated runners is a public good in itself. And the fees of up to $140 a person are donated to health related charities, while operational event costs are paid by participating vendors, including traffic management.
We could go back to the days when cigarette companies sponsored sports events and thousands of smoking fans watched a few dozen athletes perform.
Or we can just continue to do "fascinating" studies like this and keep running.
The Seattle Mariners play more than 80 home games in the heart of downtown Seattle every year, averaging about 28,000 fans in attendance, creating significant traffic impacts on freeways, arterials and surface streets before and after each game. Then there are the Seattle Seahawks, Sounders and various concert events of much larger size. And then there are the UW Huskies games, Opening Day of Boating Season, Seafair and hydro races, each of which is a major widespread traffic event for hours.
And then there are truck accidents that block freeways for hours many times a year.
And twice a year, at 7 am on quiet Sunday mornings when there is almost no traffic, there are marathons. Freeway and surface traffic is moderately affected around the start/finish, but nowhere else. The whole deal is over well before Sunday brunch.
The health benefits of training for and running, walking or wheelchairing a half or full marathon, in the company of 10,000 or so similarly motivated runners is a public good in itself. And the fees of up to $140 a person are donated to health related charities, while operational event costs are paid by participating vendors, including traffic management.
We could go back to the days when cigarette companies sponsored sports events and thousands of smoking fans watched a few dozen athletes perform.
Or we can just continue to do "fascinating" studies like this and keep running.
24
Maybe in Seattle "the whole deal is over by Sunday brunch," but in New York, large areas of the city are closed to traffic for the Marathon from early in the morning until about 6pm. So it shuts down most of the city and affects millions of people from dawn until after dark.
17
As a resident of a city with way too many event closures I couldn't agree more. Every organization claims "we only do this once a year" but all those once a years add up to an event almost every weekend. I used to live 2 blocks from Golden Gate Park, and still live on the west side of the City. Because of the weekend restrictions on parking (thanks to bike riders) traffic is bad enough anyway, but when an event is held it can block up traffic all the way from the Golden Gate Bridge Toll Plaza to the south side of the park - and sometimes further. At one point during the Outer Lands rock festival last summer traffic was backed up along Highway 1 in a solid wall from 280 in the south (about 7 miles) to San Rafael in Marin County (about 30 miles north). And yes, that includes public transportation, which can't simply fly over stalled cars. If it were up to neighborhood residents, believe me, those marathoners would be running circles around Lake Merced.
10
I live in the Richmond District in SF and totally disagree with you. Speak for yourself, not the neighborhood. Or better yet, move to the suburbs and leave the vibrant, active city to the people who appreciate it.
3
To Not A: I visit the city and totally disagree with you. I have experienced the disruptions first hand. The vibrant active city as you describe it is now home to a combination of rich white weekend athletes and the homeless contingent.
11
This is a most convoluted way to say that road closures lead to congestion, which in turn lead to delays in travel time, which in turn increases the possibility of not getting emergency care, thereby leading to death.
There is no need to cherry pick on marathons.
There is no need to cherry pick on marathons.
14
Marathons are one of the many useless events... add bike tours, parades, street fairs among other useless and detrimental events in the city. I can tell you with certainty that the majority of us don't care whatsoever about any of these events.
It's interesting to see how fast the comments section turns this from an article reporting a result (ie, a set of facts) into a pair of opposing platforms for and against marathons and similar races and events (ie, a collection of preferences).
The facts as reported are pretty simple: there is a significant uptick in preventable deaths during massive outdoor events like marathons. The remedy implied is also simple: organizers of marathons should be required to take into account and plan for the likely event that someone in the vicinity of the marathon will need emergency services during the run of the event.
Given that the organizers will certainly have planned for medical emergencies among the runners, it seems like it's not a big stretch to extend that planning to the surrounding community - what's the big deal here?
The facts as reported are pretty simple: there is a significant uptick in preventable deaths during massive outdoor events like marathons. The remedy implied is also simple: organizers of marathons should be required to take into account and plan for the likely event that someone in the vicinity of the marathon will need emergency services during the run of the event.
Given that the organizers will certainly have planned for medical emergencies among the runners, it seems like it's not a big stretch to extend that planning to the surrounding community - what's the big deal here?
15
THANK YOU. As both a marathoner and an ER physician, I absolutely see both sides, and agree that there is a ready solution.
Pre-hospital (i.e. ambulance transport and paramedic care) services are, simply put, often life-saving. Every deference should be shown to them to do their jobs. It is the responsibility of the event organizers (of any large event impacting traffic routes) to do so.
As for those of you who think marathons, bike rides, charity 5ks, etc. are simply an opportunity to "show off", I encourage you to talk to a participating friend, or family member, or co-worker. There are beautiful stories of healing, friendship, personal growth, raising awareness and funding for social or medical causes, people running for lost loved ones, that VASTLY outnumber the "showoffs". Moreover, NOTHING is better for your health than exercise!
Pre-hospital (i.e. ambulance transport and paramedic care) services are, simply put, often life-saving. Every deference should be shown to them to do their jobs. It is the responsibility of the event organizers (of any large event impacting traffic routes) to do so.
As for those of you who think marathons, bike rides, charity 5ks, etc. are simply an opportunity to "show off", I encourage you to talk to a participating friend, or family member, or co-worker. There are beautiful stories of healing, friendship, personal growth, raising awareness and funding for social or medical causes, people running for lost loved ones, that VASTLY outnumber the "showoffs". Moreover, NOTHING is better for your health than exercise!
10
Of course it's important for emergency response teams to prepare for assisting the general public, but how many folks complaining here are truly concerned about the outside chance of a medical emergency? My guess is most just like to grumble about the occasional inconvenience to themselves (in their cars) during an event. TRY JOINING A RACE - you'll enjoy yourself and be healthier for it.
5
Oh please. My 86 year old mother doesn't have the time.
10
I'm already in the human race, thanks.
4
@Chris: Most of the over-65's are concerned, that's for sure. If your loved one had a bad heart attack and, due to some big event, died b/c help didn't get to them in time, I don't think you'd consider it an "outside chance of a medical emergency".
As for "try joining a race" - sorry, after 3 knee surgeries, that's not on my agenda. Some day you'll be old and find out what it's like!
As for "try joining a race" - sorry, after 3 knee surgeries, that's not on my agenda. Some day you'll be old and find out what it's like!
6
I have always despised bike races shutting down major public roads due to the organizers of the races NEVER contacting anyone who lives nearby to see if they're cool with being locked into their neighborhood all day and then forced to pick up bags and bags of Gatorade bottles in their bushes the next day, but to hear that these dumb races are also killing people just adds to how much I hate them.
Why is the need for a few hundred people to show off judged as greater than the thousands of people they lock up in traffic and re-routes and trash pickup? I have never understood this.
Why is the need for a few hundred people to show off judged as greater than the thousands of people they lock up in traffic and re-routes and trash pickup? I have never understood this.
18
I'm so glad for this article. It's something I've thought of, because the street I live on is a very skinny marina access road between two bicycle/walking trails. Because we are the missing link between these two trails (Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop and the Canal Trail, if you know Seattle), we sometimes get marathons or other races on the access road. We cannot easily leave our parking area while a race is on.
I'm sure runners would move over for an emergency vehicle, but I'm wondering whether that would happen for a civilian car taking someone to the ER.
I'm sure runners would move over for an emergency vehicle, but I'm wondering whether that would happen for a civilian car taking someone to the ER.
8
There are 80,000 miles of highway in Texas. But the Austin marathons and 10K's have to run right through the middle of town, inconveniencing the most people possible. One can't get to the store, or the church or visit one's mother on marathon day. Some of the stores have to shut down, because no customers can get fight their way in. This callous disregard of others is why marathons should be especially targeted. This odd, arrogant attitude that because you're "doing something healthy" it should trump everyone else's plans for the day needs to be examined and rooted out. If it's about "health" then there are 79,973.8 other miles of Texas, in rural areas where you can work on your varicose veins. If it's about showing off (and it is) then please be informed: We're not impressed.
23
When I lived in downtown Toronto, my roommate had appendicitis while a marathon was going through our neighbourhood and it was a nightmare trying to get him to medical assistance.
26
This seems easy. Organizers of these types of events need to be told explicitly and often that ambulances get complete priority over the event. Even if it messes things up, like screwing up somebody's marathon time.
30
With all the will in the world, it's not so easy to get tens of thousands out of the way in time to make a difference.
5
During the Long Beach, California marathon, part of the Belmont Shore neighborhood has been in gridlock in past years because every street to get out (to cross 2nd Street) was blocked until a break in the runner traffic. I asked the fire department what they would do if there was a fire in the neighborhood. "We'd find some way to get in." There was no way to a vehicle get in, just like there was no way to get a vehicle out. Fortunately, nothing critical seems to have happened there during marathons past.
5
From my perspective, the biggest problem with marathons and the like is not that they take place, or the number of them; it's the mentality of organizers and approvers that has two faults:
- If event A is held at route B at a given year, it will use route B every year since
- If event A is held at route B, then any other event is very likely to reuse route B in one form or another
This creates an unhealthy choice: you either have to go full NIMBY and say that no marathons should be held near me, ever, - or have half a dozen events with road closures by your place, which screws every other weekend in summer.
- If event A is held at route B at a given year, it will use route B every year since
- If event A is held at route B, then any other event is very likely to reuse route B in one form or another
This creates an unhealthy choice: you either have to go full NIMBY and say that no marathons should be held near me, ever, - or have half a dozen events with road closures by your place, which screws every other weekend in summer.
8
Let's cancel all outdoor marathons. Hence forth, they will be conducted solely on treadmills. While we're at it, parades, festivals, New Years' celebrations, and July 4th are also cancelled. Nothing that could possibly slow down emergency vehicles. Eventually we'll all just be completely safe sitting at home avoiding all the things that make life enjoyable and worth living. To me, that's a far worse kind of risk.
16
26 miles of winding roads have a bigger impact than closing a few city blocks for a festival, parade, etc.
A number of residents here pretty much know they are under lockdown for nearly the entire day. We just do not have enough alternative routes for movement , especially since the major detours are stacked with traffic. Some folks actually park on one side of the route, and then cross by foot with food for their elderly relatives....
I've heard one too many of these stories over the years here in the 'burgh with a very large percentage of elderly people.
A number of residents here pretty much know they are under lockdown for nearly the entire day. We just do not have enough alternative routes for movement , especially since the major detours are stacked with traffic. Some folks actually park on one side of the route, and then cross by foot with food for their elderly relatives....
I've heard one too many of these stories over the years here in the 'burgh with a very large percentage of elderly people.
17
What about the lives saved when some percentage of the one million people who watched the Boston Marathon this year, got inspired and decided to finally get fit? Sometimes results depend on how far you drill down ...
16
@Sarah
Maybe we should think of the whole think like carbon credits. If we could convince enough people to exercise, then we needn't bother with emergency services at all, since the number of lives saved over there will exceed the number of deaths over here.
Maybe we should think of the whole think like carbon credits. If we could convince enough people to exercise, then we needn't bother with emergency services at all, since the number of lives saved over there will exceed the number of deaths over here.
Or, if you drill even farther, how about the number of lives lost when those who are inspired to get fit overdo it during their first time off the couch in years? About 100 people die from heart attacks shoveling snow every year, after all.
1
Why pick on marathons? You could make this case against afternoon rush hours, presidential motorcades, champion sport team parades, July 4 celebrations, or heavy snowfalls.
Should we just encourage everyone to stay in their homes at all times, lest their presence anywhere else might impede an ambulance?
Give me a break.
Should we just encourage everyone to stay in their homes at all times, lest their presence anywhere else might impede an ambulance?
Give me a break.
19
There are three reasons to pick on marathons:
- The sheer distance of streets to be closed off
- The length of the event
- The choice of streets - at least in Toronto, major downtown access arteries
Mind it, marathons are still valid events; however, perhaps, there should be more consideration to everyone else when planning one.
- The sheer distance of streets to be closed off
- The length of the event
- The choice of streets - at least in Toronto, major downtown access arteries
Mind it, marathons are still valid events; however, perhaps, there should be more consideration to everyone else when planning one.
35
Please come to Philadelphia and enjoy driving on any of the hundreds of miles of city roads and highways slowed every morning and evening by rush hour traffic. At least a marathon is over in a few hours, and with a little advance planning emergency vehicles can develop alternative routes to hospitals.
4
Why does it not surprise me to read people equating street access for emergency vehicles (a valid issue) with street access to drive to the grocery store? Or people asserting a general disagreement with using our streets for anything but automobiles? Is it ridiculous to suggest we wouldn't have so many medical emergencies if people biked more and drove less, at every age?
11
If you think marathons are bad, try a country road on the east end during fall pumpkin picking season on Columbus Day weekend. I was in bumper to bumper traffic from the hospital to my house, a distance of about 25 miles. The trip took 90 minutes, that is one hour and thirty minutes, at a speed of about five to ten miles per house- when the cars were moving. That was on the Main Road, the back road parallel to the Main Road, and the two cross roads connecting the Main Road to the back round. When I went to my doctor appointment on Tuesday of that week, the fist thing I asked my cardiologist was "are the hospital officials worried about the traffic on these roads, WHAT IF AN AMBULANCE HAD TO GET THRU?? Special events require permits and traffic and so on is supposed to be taken into consideration when these permits are issues. Local police tell me they are very busy when bike excursions are set up too. The bikers cause a lot of road accidents and also get injured themselves, so the cops are hoping busy on those days too. Which leads us to the amount of our taxpayers money that has to be spent to ensure safety and traffic flow etc while these events often attended by non paying out of town people are taking place.
5
Nothing annoys me more than seeing car after car after car of cops directing traffic and providing support for a bike race through my neighborhood, meanwhile on a normal day if the intersection is on the fritz due to a power outage they just leave us to fend for ourselves.
Plus, as you mentioned, no one in these races actually lives in my neighborhood. It's just an affordable place to run a race through because they know none of us have a friend on the council to make them re-route to save our commutes. You don't see the rich side of town hosting bike races, oh no. They like to throw their Gatorade bottles on the ground on the poor side and then complain about how dirty it was there during their visit.
Plus, as you mentioned, no one in these races actually lives in my neighborhood. It's just an affordable place to run a race through because they know none of us have a friend on the council to make them re-route to save our commutes. You don't see the rich side of town hosting bike races, oh no. They like to throw their Gatorade bottles on the ground on the poor side and then complain about how dirty it was there during their visit.
8
Not true everywhere. The marathon here goes through several of the pricier neighborhoods, and the marathon organizers make sure that all trash along the route is cleaned up as the race is ending.
The roads are public infrastructure meant primarily for use by motor vehicles. Limited closures that don't significantly affect travel times? Sure. Turning my small town into a traffic jam for the better part of a weekend morning in spring? Not so much. There have gotta be better ways to get people their precious 13.1 and 26.2 stickers.
(And yeah, I feel the same way about events like the Baltimore Grand Prix.)
(And yeah, I feel the same way about events like the Baltimore Grand Prix.)
30
Who made the rule that "the roads are ... meant primarily for use by motor vehicles"? If they are "public infrastructure," why are they not "meant" for various uses, whatever the public decides?
1
pechorin75 - Are you talking about one weekend morning a year? And this is a major problem? Not to say we shouldn't take precautions for such things as emergency access no matter how often something is done, but, really, other than that, once a year hardly seems like something to bellyache about.
I live near a large park, which is favored as the center for an annual marathon, century bike ride, various charitable walks, etc. Every April & May I dread Saturday mornings for the road closures. Not only are we totally blocked in, police (who are mostly sitting at street corners), fire, and ambulance can't get in. It's dangerous. I'm sick of it and it's one reason we are selling our house and moving.
17
The region that I live in has some sort of marathon/run, triathlon, bike ride (Pan Mass) or walkathon, fundraiser, EVERY single weekend, during the May-Sept season.
It clogs up the roads, detours traffic, creates delays and over all congestion. These weekend warriors mean well but when you're inundated EVERY single weekend it starts to get really annoying.
I am starting to hate these things as well as the ubiquitous 'Festivals'.
It clogs up the roads, detours traffic, creates delays and over all congestion. These weekend warriors mean well but when you're inundated EVERY single weekend it starts to get really annoying.
I am starting to hate these things as well as the ubiquitous 'Festivals'.
36
This article seems strangely focused on marathon running. I live in Louisiana, and streets are constantly being shut down for this or that parade. As other people have noted, there are so many other types of events (bike races, parades, etc.) that result in the roads being closed, so I'm not sure why marathons are being called out specifically in this article.
It seems likely that there is a problem with city planning and events in some metropolitan areas, but I see no reason that marathons need to be the whipping boy in this article other than the fact that it serves at clickbait.
It seems likely that there is a problem with city planning and events in some metropolitan areas, but I see no reason that marathons need to be the whipping boy in this article other than the fact that it serves at clickbait.
10
the article is focused on marathons because the authors of the study focused on marathons. If the study covered Louisiana parades, those likely would have been included.
8
Kind of a ridiculous complaint. Marathons are held in cities across the U.S.; New Orleans style parades? Not so much. The researchers were able to do their studies in multiple places and then present their research. Another problem, I think is that marathons tie up at least 26 miles of streets. Other events? Again, not so much. Plus, the streets around us, for example, are closed down completely for almost four hours and then still have runners for impeding the regular flow of traffic for some time after that. In any case, Dr. Jena, who is quoted in the article does mention "other large, popular civic events" as having the same basic problem.
1
It's about time we paid attention to the problems created by marathons, bike-a-thons, and other takeovers of city streets. In addition to medical peril and interference with emergency vehicles, there is the sneering morally-superior attitude of many runners and bikers.
If they want to run or bike in the city, let them run and bike around tracks (human and horse) instead of jeopardizing health, safety, and good-will of the vast majority of the urban population.
If they want to run or bike in the city, let them run and bike around tracks (human and horse) instead of jeopardizing health, safety, and good-will of the vast majority of the urban population.
35
It's about time we paid attention to the problems created by motor vehicle takeovers of city streets. In addition to medical peril and interference with emergency vehicles, there is the sneering morally-superior attitude of many drivers and internet commentators.
If they want to drive in the city, let them drive around tracks (vehicle) instead of jeopardizing health, safety, and good-will of the vast majority of the urban population.
If they want to drive in the city, let them drive around tracks (vehicle) instead of jeopardizing health, safety, and good-will of the vast majority of the urban population.
8
I thought about this recently when I was seriously delayed getting to a funeral because of a bike race on the street where I keep my car in NYC. Aside from having to use the "funeral card" to beg to be able to use my car, we were heckled by self-righteous bikers as we left the garage, even though the police gave us permission to use the street since we're residents. As I drove away fuming, I thought, "what about people involved in true emergencies?". This article helped me get an answer. I don't feel we should cancel these events. I only ask that the participants and organizers be as respectful to the communities around them, as they seem to demand we are to be of them.
74
I was recently seriously delayed in picking up my daughter because of a large funeral procession on the way between home and her school. It was a funeral of a retired police officer, which both made it well-attended and made my efforts to convince law enforcement that I should be able to pass through unavailing. I don't want to be completely insensitive, but those who play the "funeral card" seem to disregard the fact that people die all the time, and of all things that you might think about rushing to, a funeral seems nearly the least compelling, in that the primary subject of the occasion can probably wait a bit for your arrival, and probably does not care whether the entire line of cars gets to the location together in an unbroken line.
1
This problem does not just pertain to marathons. In addition to runs, our street is frequently closed due to fundraising walks, bike races, parades, and civic events. (This is a fairly recent phenomenon, so we didn't move in knowing these would be the conditions.) Not only do we worry about delayed response to emergencies, we can't even go to the grocery store on a weekend morning because the road is blocked in front of our house. This past Saturday an event left one side of the street open, but someone blocked our driveway with his truck. We were stuck at home, but at least had the satisfaction of a nearby police officer ticketing the truck.
We have approached our city council on multiple occasions to get these events more evenly spread around our town. But we live in an attractive spot, which organizers of these events use as a selling point to increase participation. And no one in government is willing to stand up against a "good cause", so our neighborhood suffers.
Almost all of these fundraising and marathon-type events are professionally run. Our next step is to get these organizers to pay for using our area. If they are profiting from the efforts we make to keep our neighborhood attractive, and then we are being inconvenienced or having our health compromised, by their money-making ventures, we should be sharing in the wealth.
Everyone on a marathon route has a right to safety. And no one should profit at the expense of someone's health.
We have approached our city council on multiple occasions to get these events more evenly spread around our town. But we live in an attractive spot, which organizers of these events use as a selling point to increase participation. And no one in government is willing to stand up against a "good cause", so our neighborhood suffers.
Almost all of these fundraising and marathon-type events are professionally run. Our next step is to get these organizers to pay for using our area. If they are profiting from the efforts we make to keep our neighborhood attractive, and then we are being inconvenienced or having our health compromised, by their money-making ventures, we should be sharing in the wealth.
Everyone on a marathon route has a right to safety. And no one should profit at the expense of someone's health.
60
Wow, this is disturbing. Lest we make marathoners feel unfairly singled out, I'd be interested in seeing similar data on the effects of other traffic-clogging events. For example, here in Philadelphia in April, residents and workers in some downtown neighborhoods experienced more than a week of gridlock and roundabout detours due to the NFL Draft and the setup and dismantling of its huge outdoor stage and spectator area. Those who criticized all the street closures were mocked as party-poopers, but if people were actually dying as a result, they are owed an apology and we need to look into how to protect our citizenry while raking in the revenue these events bring.
31
Reminds me of my friends who are afraid to take a european vacation because of fear of flying, terrorism etc.
I tell them they are light yrs more likely to die in car crashes, gun violence, bad health care etc. in this country than dying in a plane crash or terrorism in Europe.
Your story points points out to a related issue/problem. Also I have known/heard about countless marathon runners who are now "cripples" in their senior yrs due to bad feet, knees, backs etc.
Marathon running is a poor choice to stay healthy...
I tell them they are light yrs more likely to die in car crashes, gun violence, bad health care etc. in this country than dying in a plane crash or terrorism in Europe.
Your story points points out to a related issue/problem. Also I have known/heard about countless marathon runners who are now "cripples" in their senior yrs due to bad feet, knees, backs etc.
Marathon running is a poor choice to stay healthy...
13
Yes famously, the first person to run a marathon died.
I am glad you presented this article. I often think about the great "what if" someone gets sick or needs emergency treatment along the marathon route. Will EMT be able to get to this person or will it be stalled due to marathoners not moving aside?
12
I've run six marathons in the middle of the pack. I have seen golf cart type emergency vehicles come through the race, sometimes actual ambulances or police cars, and all the runners absolutely move over to let them pass.
15
The Disney World method of pre-placed ambulances and Bike EMTs always seemed the most practical to me. They're a very artificial situation, no question, but it seems like mandating some logistics people look at the maps and place the ambulances and more mobile bike EMTs for both race and local use would go far. For every X number of people living in Y area, there must be an ambulance and a quick escape route ready with extra ambulances on standby.
The other big help would be stricter pace requirements. I was a back of the pack runner for a long time and I fully accept that for city races there should be harsher cut off times to clear the roads. You shouldn't get more than 5 hrs in those scenarios.
The other big help would be stricter pace requirements. I was a back of the pack runner for a long time and I fully accept that for city races there should be harsher cut off times to clear the roads. You shouldn't get more than 5 hrs in those scenarios.
1