SRR STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO BOSTON MARATHON MILE 21 INCIDENT

Dear SRR,

Congratulations and thank you to all who ran, volunteered, and supported the Boston Marathon. As you may be aware, members of two local running clubs, Pioneers Run Crew and TrailblazHers Run Co., were surrounded by police at their Mile 21 Cheer Zone on Marathon Monday. These clubs are specifically focused on inclusivity and supporting BIPOC runners. Videos and photos on social media and news outlets showed over a dozen officers, many with bikes, acting as a barrier between the spectators and the course. Additional officers on motorcycles also positioned themselves behind the cheer zone.

Newton PD and the BAA have stated that the police presence was in response to complaints of spectators crossing the rope barrier. The BAA released a statement saying, in part, “we need to do better to create an environment that is welcoming and supportive of the BIPOC communities at the marathon.” No direct explanation was provided for the disproportionately large number of officers surrounding and threatening to arrest these individuals, who were prevented from fully supporting their fellow runners. It is saddening and angering to see these individuals doing what brings out the best of Marathon Monday, only to leave feeling racially targeted and unwelcome, when their organizational focus is to promote the sport of running in diverse communities.

Some may say that the police were just enforcing the rules, but there are many systemic problems evident in that enforcement. BIPOC individuals are more likely to be reported to the police even while doing nothing wrong. They are more likely to be arrested, more likely to have force used against them, and receive harsher punishments than white individuals. Would this situation have been handled differently if it had been a group of white students from BC? Would it have even been reported?

We at SRR stand behind the PIONEERS Run Crew and TrailblazHers communities and recognize that everyone has the right to share and celebrate the experience of the Boston Marathon. The actions taken towards this group are unacceptable and we ask for a more complete reflection on how the BAA plans to “do better” in the future.

SRR is deeply committed to our mission and inclusivity statement and welcomes club members to learn more and engage in our initiative for inclusion, diversity, equity, and awareness (IDEA). Racism and bias, both overt and more subtle, continue to deeply impact many of our community members so perhaps this can be a reminder to find ways to make space and be inclusive of all members of our community.

Please be on the lookout for an upcoming discussion from the IDEA committee where members can come together in-person to reflect, discuss, and process these events. We encourage a mutually respectful environment where all shared experiences and perspectives will be listened to and heard. We are also looking for other interested members to join this committee and advance this initiative. Please email Urvi Mujumdar at inclusion@srr.org for more information.

Sincerely,
Doug Lipinski
President, Somerville Road Runners
On behalf of the SRR Executive Board