By Joe LaCorte, News Correspondent
Lindsay Weigel, a fourth-year health science major who ran in last year’s tragic Boston Marathon, admitted that she didn’t think she was going to run again this year. She remembered the chaos, confusion and fear of the day, she finished about an hour before the bombs detonated and being near the finish line when they did. After witnessing the unity, support and encouragement on display in Boston in the wake of the tragedy, however, she had a change of heart.
In light of last year’s tragic events at the Boston Marathon, stricter security measures are being imposed this year. Despite some criticism of the new safety measures put in place for 2014 as overly excessive, a number of runners are understanding of the tight changes.
“Your first thought is it is a lot,” Sam Fazioli, a junior civil engineering major, said. “It’s definitely inconvenient but I think it’s necessary.”
After two pressure cooker bombs concealed in backpacks killed three people and injured more than 260 others at the Marathon last year, the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) announced a no-bags policy for runners in this year’s event. Backpacks, containers capable of holding more than a liter of liquid, large blankets and particularly bulky costumes, among other items are also prohibited at the Hopkinton starting line and along the course.
Spectators are strongly discouraged from bringing the same items and will be subject to searches if seen with them.
Some view the regulations as overkill that may harm the fun and festive nature of the day, but runners like Fazioli appreciate the heightened measures and that the BAA will not be cutting any corners ensuring that all spectators feel as safe as possible at the April 21 race.
“I think that’s kind of reasonable,” he said. “You don’t need to have a bag with you and that’s really all they’re asking.”
Fazioli ran in the marathon last year and finished roughly two hours before the bombs went off. Despite the horrific events of that day, Fazioli said he always knew he was going to run again.
“The atmosphere is just incredible,” he said of the world’s oldest annual marathon. “You feel something really special when you’re part of that whole thing.”
He added that those feelings are heightened with national attention on this year’s race.
“I don’t have anything against [the new item restrictions], they have good reasons behind it all,” Weigel said. “They’re going to make sure everyone stays warm, they’re going to have plenty of water and Gatorade and food … after last year I don’t think people should be complaining at all.”
Weigel noted that runners will be given additional clothes, if needed, in addition to warmth-retention capes.
She said she does not believe the festive, community-oriented nature of the day will be at all hindered by the changes in security, adding that it is most important that everyone will be able to show their support.
“I think that’s what Boston needs, even though people can’t bring thirty racks to the race,” she said.
Boston Transit Police Lieutenant Michael Shea likened the process to standard airport security procedures.
“I’m sure it’s a change for all of them but after last year they’ve got to deal with it,” he said. “I think people will be accepting of it.”
Asked about the fear that some spectators may feel attending the race the year after the attacks, Shea said, “I think with all the publicity they all know it’s a new day.”
There will be higher numbers of surveillance cameras and bomb-sniffing dogs along the course, with more than 3,500 police officers from at least 10 agencies present. Thousands more runners will be participating and at least a million spectators are expected.
Although Fazioli said he understands concerns for the event with these numbers and the attacks last year, he said there is “a lot of excitement surrounding this year and there was no way I was going to miss it.”
