Washington Post Article -- Lake Grapevine Runners And Walkers

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Date Posted: 07:37:24 03/21/03 Fri
Author: Jack
Subject: Washington Post Article
In reply to: dennis 's message, "DC marathon cancelled" on 08:28:11 03/20/03 Thu

The Mayor of D.C. says it should be run and I agree.

washingtonpost.com
Race Organizers Cancel Sunday's D.C. Marathon

By Bonnie Berkowitz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, March 20, 2003; Page D02

Citing security concerns and runners' fears, organizers of Sunday's Washington D.C. Marathon yesterday called off the race.

The marathon office got more than 1,200 calls and e-mails from worried runners yesterday, said Angela Casey, director for government and external affairs for the race. She said the combination of the increased terrorism alert, the looming war in Iraq and the two-day standoff by a tobacco farmer who drove his tractor into a pond on the Mall made many runners leery of travel to the area. As of yesterday, 6,801 runners from 50 states and 14 countries had registered for the race. Organizers said entry fees will not be refunded but will be deferred for entry in 2004.

"Runners have been canceling throughout the day," said race director John Stanley in a statement last night. "While we, until late afternoon, believed a successful race was possible, we are not willing to jeopardize a safe celebration in the current environment."

Tony Bullock, spokesman for D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams, said the mayor's office was "enormously disappointed" in the decision to cancel the race and had not been consulted before it was made. Williams had supported the race despite vehement criticism from church leaders after street closings from last year's event, held on Palm Sunday, impeded churchgoers.

"This is contrary to what the mayor would like to see," Bullock said. "The message the mayor gave to a large group of business leaders tonight is 'Don't cancel your events.' We are confident [District law enforcement] could have managed this and other events simultaneously."

Bullock said no conventions or other large District events had been canceled as of last night. He said the mayor wanted to speak with race promoters before he decided whether to lend support next year.

"We feel there is a better utilization of the metropolitan Police Department and federal officials," Stanley said in his statement. Stanley is president of H20 Entertainment, the special event company that organizes the race, which debuted last year.

No fees will be refunded, Casey said, and all runners will be automatically entered into the 2004 race, scheduled for March 21. Runners paid between $65 and $95 to enter the race.

Casey said race organizers had consulted D.C. police and other federal officials Wednesday morning and were told security would be extremely tight, but they were not told to cancel the event.

Elite athlete coordinator Rich Kenah said that most of the two dozen invited athletes were scheduled to arrive today.

"We're scrambling right now to get the word out," Kenah said en route from Dulles Airport where he already had picked up Sandra Ruales from Ecuador. "It's morning in Europe and our athletes are heading to the airport right now. Most are connecting through London and Frankfort. It's been a fire drill."

After September 11, 2001, many area races were canceled. The largest was the Army Ten-Miler, which had more than 14,000 entrants. Organizers refunded all fees. Last summer, several smaller races were canceled during the sniper attacks.

The D.C. Marathon was to be run entirely within city limits. Unlike the Marine Corps Marathon in October, which is far larger but does not offer prize money, the D.C. race offered a $25,000 prize purse and attracted a competitive international field.

Organizers said runners wishing more information can call 703-528-8176 or look on www.washingtondcmarathon.com.

Special correspondent Jim Hage contributed to this report.

� 2003 The Washington Post Company

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Replies:

Runners Irate Over Cancellation -- washingtonpost.com, 07:43:25 03/21/03 Fri
- Race Promoter Defends Actions -- washingtonpost.com, 20:08:04 03/22/03 Sat
  - D.C. Runners Keep Moving On Their Own -- washingtonpost.com, 08:07:54 03/24/03 Mon