Sunday, September 29, 2013

NYC Marathon bans hydration packs, strollers and masks as security measures

Heightened security prompted by the deadly Boston Marathon bombings has led race officials from the New York City Marathon to ban CamelBaks — hydration backpacks filled with water — or containers bigger than 1 liter from the race.

Other banned items for the Nov. 3 event include strollers, vests with pockets and "costumes covering the face or any non-formfitting, bulky outfits extending beyond the perimeter of the body."




More than 48,000 runners are expected at this year's race — after Hurricane Sandy washed out last year’s event  — and it was expanded to accommodate the extra runners who were denied a run through the five boroughs last year.

This year's changes  — which have become commonplace at all U.S. sporting events — were instituted immediately after the April terrorist attack that killed three people and wounded more than 260 near the Boston finish line, reports the N.Y. Daily News. Runners were notified of the restrictions by the New York Road Runners Club via email.

Runners prepping for the marathon who use hydration packs — also known as reservoir packs — called them lifesavers for those who need water but don’t want to lug bottles in their hands. They now need to come up another solution to keep hydrated.




Runners can carry bottled water in their hands — as long as it is under a liter — or in "fuel belts" that can hold small bottles of water said the NYRRC.

Plenty of water and Gatorade Endurance Formula will also be available along the 26.2-mile route as well.

No comments:

Post a Comment