FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NYRR and New York City Modify Baggage Policy
Runners Now Offered Two Options; No-Baggage "Early Exit" or Checked Bag
NEW YORK, September 6, 2012-New York Road Runners and City officials today
jointly announced modifications to the ING NYC Marathon baggage policy that
will allow runners the option of either checking a bag for this year's race
on Sunday, November 4 or choosing a No-Baggage "Early Exit."
In a letter to runners issued by e-mail this afternoon, NYRR President &
CEO Mary Wittenberg said, "We have some good news to share with you. We've
heard your feedback regarding the No-Baggage policy we announced recently,
and we understand your concerns. We have worked with our city agency
partners and have developed a new solution for the 2012 ING New York City
Marathon. You'll now have the option of either checking a bag for this
year's race or choosing a No-Baggage 'Early Exit' option."
The letter continued, "This adjusted 2012 marathon plan includes the use of
reconfigured space that will enable us to offer a baggage option for those
of you who prefer it, while still easing finish-line congestion and
providing a better and safer post-race experience."
Howard Wolfson, Deputy Mayor for Government Affairs and Communications,
added, "As an avid runner and an NYRR member, I'm pleased we were able to
find a solution that offers runners the safest racing experience possible,
and allows a runner to check a bag if necessary. This continues the
Bloomberg Administration's effort to join NYRR in making the ING New York
City Marathon the world's premier race. We needed to reduce post-race
congestion for the 47,000 runners, and through cooperation with NYRR, the
Mayor's office, NYPD, Parks and other stakeholders we've produced a plan
that does just that."
In the letter, the two options were explained to runners as follows:
1. New No-Baggage "Early Exit" option: Runners choosing this option will
have the earliest exit from Central Park. They will receive a Marathon
Finish Line Poncho and a limited-edition long-sleeve t-shirt, and have
quickest access to the Family Reunion area, "Call Home" stations, and
public transportation.
2. Baggage option: Runners choosing this option will check baggage in the
Start Village and pick up their bags at exits farther up on Central Park's
West Drive. It should be noted that congestion is still anticipated. As in
the past, it could take up to an hour for runners to retrieve bags and exit
the park. The bag will be smaller than in years past (although large enough
to hold shoes, warm clothing, and small personal items).
On August 23, NYRR announced that runners would no longer be permitted to
check baggage at the start of the race, under a new policy developed to
ease finish-line congestion and provide a better and safer post-race
experience given then-current space constraints.
Wittenberg added in the note to runners, "Please know that all of us at
NYRR are deeply committed to you. We hope that having two options to choose
from will help you have the very best marathon-day experience."
More information about the new policy and what it means to race
participants can be found at NYCMarathon.org.
About NYRR
New York Road Runners was founded in 1958 when a small group of passionate
runners vowed to bring running to the people. Over the past 54 years, NYRR
has grown from a local running club to the world's premier community
running organization. NYRR's mission is to empower everyone, of all ages
and abilities-beginners and competitive athletes, the young and the
elderly, adult professionals and underserved schoolchildren-to improve
their health and well-being through the power of running and fitness.
NYRR's races, community events, instruction and training resources, and
youth programs give hundreds of thousands of people each year the
motivation, know-how, and opportunity to start running and keep running for
life. NYRR's premier event, the famed ING New York City Marathon, attracts
the world's top pro runners and committed amateurs alike while also raising
millions of dollars annually for charity and driving economic impact for
the City. But NYRR is equally committed to the runners of tomorrow,
passionately providing youth fitness programs that educate and inspire more
than 100,000 kids in underserved communities in New York City, all 50
states, and around the world.
Headquartered in New York City, NYRR implements a unique nonprofit model
that teams contributed and earned income to make all its efforts possible.
To learn more, please visit www.nyrr.org.
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