The Boston Marathon kindly asks you to not kiss the runners Monday
(CNN)In normal times, Boston Marathon runners might be offered an encouraging kiss from college students around the halfway point.
But race organizers ask that we please have none of that in Monday’s race.
The Boston Marathon is set to go Monday morning for the first time since April 2019, after Covid-19 prevented the 2020 race and postponed the 2021 edition until now.
Organizers made some policy changes or recommendations to prevent virus spread — and that includes discouraging an affectionate tradition.
For years, students at Wellesley College — near the halfway mark of the 26.2-mile course — have lined part of the route to make a “scream tunnel.” They encourage runners with signs and cheers, give them high-fives, and some even ask for a kiss.
The signs will be there again this year — but without the smooch offers, marathon organizers hope.
“The (Boston Athletic Association) strongly encourages everyone to … (practice) personal responsibility” for Monday’s race, which “may include … refraining from kissing a stranger around the halfway mark,” organizers wrote.
Organizers don’t want the general public to feed or water the racers, either.
They want runners to use only “BAA-provided course nutrition in lieu of accepting hydration or food from spectators.”
Marathon requires runners to be vaccinated or test negative
Marathon organizers have laid out other special requests or requirements for runners this year.
Days before the race, runners were required to either show proof of vaccination or get a negative Covid-19 test result over the weekend.
Participants also must wear masks on buses transporting them from Boston to the starting area in Hopkinton, and everyone must wear them at the indoor Boston Marathon Expo.
Organizers also reduced the number of participants to roughly 20,000, hoping to make the start and finish areas not as crowded as usual. More than 9,200 applicants who normally would have qualified were turned down.
Monday’s race has staggered start times, with wheelchair racers and professionals going first. The general field’s rolling start begins at 9 a.m.
The marathon is expected to return to its traditional April slot next year, and registration for that race will happen next month.
Source: http://rss.cnn.com/~r/rss/cnn_topstories/~3/urwQrTdZ5Qs/index.html
