BOSTON — The head of the Boston Athletic Association is admitting that the Boston Marathon organizer must “do better” after Pioneers Run Crew and another racially diverse running group were blocked by police officers at their cheering spot in Newton on Marathon Monday.
B.A.A.’s leaders met with Pioneers Run Crew and TrailblazHers Run Co., on Wednesday night after Newton Police officers with bicycles lined up at their tent along Heartbreak Hill at Mile 21. This restricted the group’s cheering access to the road and their ability to give out high fives to runners. Cops also took positions behind the group’s tent.
The police officers did this after the B.A.A. had alerted police three times about spectators crossing the rope barrier and impeding runners. Pioneers Run Crew and other running groups have noted that thousands of spectators jump onto the course, but this type of police presence only happened to a group of predominantly Black and brown spectators.
In the wake of this controversy, the B.A.A. has met with the aggrieved running groups.
“We know what the Boston Marathon means to our communities; it is very personal to so many of you,” Jack Fleming, president and CEO of the B.A.A., said in a statement on Thursday. “We know that everyone who participates loves to celebrate the excitement of the race, whether you are an athlete, volunteer, spectator or supporter.
“However, this year, we know that we did not deliver on our promise to make it a great day for everyone,” Fleming added.
Lawyers for Civil Rights Boston on Wednesday wrote a letter to the City of Newton and Newton Police about “racial profiling at the Boston Marathon.” The civil rights group is calling for an independent investigation of police surveillance and law enforcement tactics at the marathon.
During the B.A.A.’s meeting with the running groups, the members “expressed to us their deep concerns that they were not given the chance to enjoy the day and celebrate their friends, families and all participants as they approached Heartbreak Hill — that is on us,” Fleming said.
“It is our job, and we need to do better to create an environment that is welcoming and supportive of the BIPOC communities at the marathon,” he added.
Eight cities and towns make up the Boston Marathon course, from Hopkinton to Boston.
“We could not do it without the first responders and law enforcement agencies across 26.2 miles that is necessary at an event of this scale,” Fleming said. “We ask for everyone’s support as we move forward to improve the event for generations to come.”
