General Discussion

Matt_in_STL

(1,446 posts)

2. I am a marathoner

Tue Sep 29, 2015, 01:03 PM

Sep 2015

Well, a marathoner insofar as I run marathons at an average pace (I'll be running Chicago next weekend). After the Boston Marathon bombing, racers have become much more conscious of the lack of security at a race that covers a 26.2 mile stretch of road and probably a bit more cautious of anyone on the roadway that does not belong there. We have lots of security at the major races now at the start/finish but you have to worry about the rest of the race. I am a fan of protesting and general disturbance but I do not think this is the right event for it. So many variables to it, especially when you are dealing with 10,000 people that trained for months, or even a year, just to cross that finish line. Just doesn't seem to be a good idea.

With that said, I'm not going to tell people when and where they can protest so, if this is the hill they choose to fight on, that's their decision. I just worry about the repercussions.

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Marathon Organizers Respond To Black Lives Matter Plans [View all] MineralMan Sep 2015 OP

Over 10,000 runners are expected to participate MineralMan Sep 2015 #1

I am a marathoner Matt_in_STL Sep 2015 #2

I'm not a runner, but a person I work with closely MineralMan Sep 2015 #3

I wonder how this helps their cause. ananda Sep 2015 #96

Disruptive protests can be very effective. MineralMan Sep 2015 #99

A marathon seems to be a race without color, religion, gender, social standing etc riderinthestorm Sep 2015 #12

Ironically the first runners they will be blocking... Jesus Malverde Sep 2015 #50

Yup, Kenya and Ethiopia. I looked it up with your comment riderinthestorm Sep 2015 #72

Maybe they will stall them long enough for the white guys to catch up Travis_0004 Sep 2015 #84

. Egnever Sep 2015 #86

Disrupting a marathon. What could go wrong? KamaAina Sep 2015 #4

The Boston Marathon Bombing really isn't related MineralMan Sep 2015 #5

It's going to be related Aerows Sep 2015 #53

Wow dude. That's low. Scootaloo Sep 2015 #79

That's not the comparison being made Aerows Sep 2015 #81

Precisely. KamaAina Sep 2015 #89

I haven't run for many years. lumberjack_jeff Sep 2015 #6

I think the potential for injuries to MineralMan Sep 2015 #8

Even if the runners in the first ten places are willing to discuss the situation with protestors. lumberjack_jeff Sep 2015 #10

"People in places 11 through 3000" Aerows Sep 2015 #54

Aerows Puglover Sep 2015 #135

Look at that handsome, determined devil! Aerows Sep 2015 #138

When I was in HS Phys Ed Puglover Sep 2015 #139

I wore coke bottle glasses, had braces and couldn't play volleyball to save my life Aerows Sep 2015 #140

:) Puglover Sep 2015 #146

Once again, displaying my latent dorkhood Aerows Sep 2015 #149

Google it. Puglover Sep 2015 #159

Oh! Aerows Sep 2015 #162

Yes most definately. Puglover Oct 2015 #198

Thank goodness. Aerows Oct 2015 #199

Congratulations. Snobblevitch Sep 2015 #165

TBH I'd be more worried about us experienced people than newbs grinding it out.. sir pball Sep 2015 #166

People are wonderful shouting their encouragement. Puglover Oct 2015 #183

The runners in the first ten places are going to be the most competitive ones, cwydro Sep 2015 #61

Is this partucular marathon even big enough to attract non-Americans? Heeeeers Johnny Sep 2015 #69

It's in the top 10 largest marathons in the US and yes, past winners are African riderinthestorm Sep 2015 #71

Makes me wonder if the BLM organizers know or even care Heeeeers Johnny Sep 2015 #150

It's not even really "simple" Aerows Sep 2015 #153

By simple, I mean from our perspective ... Heeeeers Johnny Sep 2015 #155

LOL. You are right. Aerows Sep 2015 #161

Last year $145k was allocated for prize money. $25k to the winners riderinthestorm Sep 2015 #163

Yes, and it is also a qualifying one. n/t Aerows Sep 2015 #107

Runners from places 1-10 are from Kenya, Ethiopia, etc - TBF Sep 2015 #137

Why not extend the finish line, Sideways? Say a quarter-mile. Eleanors38 Oct 2015 #190

This will backfire on them. cwydro Sep 2015 #7

Well, it draws a large crowd of spectators. MineralMan Sep 2015 #11

I would be targeting events or institutions some way related to the issue. Comrade Grumpy Sep 2015 #9

I suppose the attraction is that this will be heavily MineralMan Sep 2015 #13

i agree. I am remembering Occupy, which would disrupt for example ellenrr Sep 2015 #121

Lets fuck with exhausted runners - what could possibly go wrong? nt hack89 Sep 2015 #14

BLM continues its quest to get people to root for cops geek tragedy Sep 2015 #15

How to make friends and influence people. ripcord Sep 2015 #21

Yep. hifiguy Sep 2015 #33

Yes, they will!!!! For several reasons, all good! Yo_Mama Sep 2015 #77

So they're going to punish people who aren't responsible for their grievances....... WillowTree Sep 2015 #16

I get the goal just fine. It's a well-attended event with MineralMan Sep 2015 #17

Of course you would. Some people just don't get that there IS such a thing as bad publicity. WillowTree Sep 2015 #28

It's one thing to be at the finish line with signs and things, and having your pressence known arcane1 Sep 2015 #44

It's an awful idea for them to do this. cwydro Sep 2015 #94

I can't really speak to the issue of whether or not this protest is a good idea, but this resonated djean111 Sep 2015 #56

And are the black people....... WillowTree Sep 2015 #59

Yes, that is the message they should be trying to get across - that they are struggling Yo_Mama Sep 2015 #78

Jerks... joeybee12 Sep 2015 #18

I've done a few races. Xyzse Sep 2015 #19

I don't think the goal is to convince the runners of anything. MineralMan Sep 2015 #20

That is true. Sad, as I tend to favor both sides. Xyzse Sep 2015 #22

raising awareness and coalition building? Facility Inspector Sep 2015 #24

"Raising awareness" by making themselves look like assholes will do nothing good for their cause. WillowTree Sep 2015 #29

yeah, but it will get them facebook and twitter traction though Facility Inspector Sep 2015 #31

Hence, I tend to think they really shouldn't be doing this. Xyzse Sep 2015 #40

"I think they believe that there is 'no bad PR.'" They're wrong. WillowTree Sep 2015 #43

egomaniacs run over at marathon. video at eleven nt msongs Sep 2015 #23

I'd hardly consider BLM protesters as egomaniacs. MineralMan Sep 2015 #25

They won't win hearts and minds to their cause. HooptieWagon Sep 2015 #27

what are their goals Facility Inspector Sep 2015 #32

You have to ask? MineralMan Sep 2015 #35

So how does protesting a marathon Facility Inspector Sep 2015 #42

It doesn't, but it gets them media attention, hifiguy Sep 2015 #62

I wonder how they will react ripcord Sep 2015 #101

I don't know if you can call raising awareness a 'solid goal'. It's more an ephemeral one. randome Sep 2015 #114

Raising awareness is getting those body cams in use in MineralMan Sep 2015 #115

If you want them to succeed... TipTok Sep 2015 #128

I think I will be protesting IVoteDFL Sep 2015 #26

that's why you build coalitions Facility Inspector Sep 2015 #41

This is going to flop just like their light-rail protest. romanic Sep 2015 #30

These kids are ignorant when it comes to effective protesting & activism. TM99 Sep 2015 #34

BLM would say you are either with them or against them tularetom Sep 2015 #36

Are you a BLM spokesperson? MineralMan Sep 2015 #37

Not a spokesperson, not necessarily even a supporter tularetom Sep 2015 #39

Very well put philosslayer Sep 2015 #126

I wouldn't expect them to GO Aerows Sep 2015 #156

well, if their goal is to get white liberals to appreciate cops, they're going to succeed with this geek tragedy Sep 2015 #38

This is a public safety issue Aerows Sep 2015 #51

Actually I couldn't agree more, I just remember the old rhetoric from the 60's tularetom Sep 2015 #63

Clearly you don't agree Aerows Sep 2015 #66

It's easy to agree with the ends but deplore the means but BLM won't accept that tularetom Sep 2015 #82

I see what you are saying Aerows Sep 2015 #93

I don't support everything they do TeddyR Sep 2015 #136

Maybe they think only white people Aerows Sep 2015 #148

"You're either with us or against us". WillowTree Sep 2015 #133

My instinctive response to that sort of ultimatum... Lizzie Poppet Oct 2015 #192

Well that's an easy choice for most folks with stupid decisions like this... TipTok Sep 2015 #129

BLM sure seems to have a lot of shit-for-brains in charge Township75 Sep 2015 #45

Not to mention Aerows Sep 2015 #49

I support BLM philosslayer Sep 2015 #46

Do you honestly think that this will gain them a sinngle friend or supporter? WillowTree Sep 2015 #52

Hey Philo, any update on that referee hurling racial slurs at players? n/m ProudToBeBlueInRhody Sep 2015 #58

All that I know about it is that Aerows Sep 2015 #68

It was the coach who resigned, not the ref. cherokeeprogressive Sep 2015 #91

I should never speak about football Aerows Sep 2015 #109

Then BLM needs to do more than "raise awareness" romanic Sep 2015 #70

No one has to prove that black lives are important - what we've got to do is Yo_Mama Sep 2015 #76

Interrupting runners Aerows Sep 2015 #47

What you said. Yes. cwydro Sep 2015 #48

+ a zillion. hifiguy Sep 2015 #64

That was my intuitive reaction. n/t Yo_Mama Sep 2015 #75

My wife is a marathoner deutsey Sep 2015 #104

Exactly, deutsey Aerows Sep 2015 #113

It is weaponized grade A narcissism. Kurska Sep 2015 #124

plus a zillion. restorefreedom Sep 2015 #154

I would have to agree with that rockfordfile Oct 2015 #187

They are assholes doing this/ does nothing positive for the cause. HERVEPA Sep 2015 #55

At the state fair protest Snobblevitch Sep 2015 #57

Wait.... do Midwest marathon runners have a history of racist behavior? Nye Bevan Sep 2015 #60

Not as far as I know. MineralMan Sep 2015 #67

How about sponsoring a major marathon for your cause tavernier Sep 2015 #65

Runners will show up Aerows Sep 2015 #73

I absolutely agree with this. Xyzse Sep 2015 #108

+1 nt lumberjack_jeff Sep 2015 #125

Runners LOVE running for causes. sir pball Sep 2015 #168

Makes way too much sense tavernier Sep 2015 #169

Oh, it does. Why be nice. sir pball Sep 2015 #171

My first reaction is that given the atrocity in Boston, this is an incredibly stupid move. Yo_Mama Sep 2015 #74

The first question in activism is always "Will this action further my cause?" Scootaloo Sep 2015 #80

Trying to stop people Aerows Sep 2015 #83

I'm not a participant of Black Lives Matter activism Scootaloo Sep 2015 #85

I can't either Aerows Sep 2015 #88

If I was there I would volunteer to help runners through Travis_0004 Sep 2015 #87

This is a really stupid idea. greytdemocrat Sep 2015 #90

I believe the BLM St. Paul group has been Snobblevitch Sep 2015 #92

i find it super amusing how outraged people are that RUNNERS will be inconvenienced La Lioness Priyanka Sep 2015 #95

That's not my primary concern, actually. MineralMan Sep 2015 #97

Or they can disrupt whatever the fuck they want at the expense of their cause. Throd Sep 2015 #98

had it not been for them and their disruptions we all would have forgotten ferguson by now La Lioness Priyanka Sep 2015 #100

Not sure where you're seeing "outrage", and certainly not because "RUNNERS will be inconvenienced". WillowTree Sep 2015 #102

It's a bit amusing how quickly DU turns on BLM... Lancero Sep 2015 #110

It's a little different, I think. randome Sep 2015 #111

Apples and Oranges. romanic Sep 2015 #112

+1 La Lioness Priyanka Sep 2015 #119

It's the same narcissists who don't care about the folks who got fired when they got blocked... TipTok Sep 2015 #132

Except these people are fighting for their lives. Lancero Sep 2015 #151

Folks don't ignore or dislike their policy because they have a problem with it... TipTok Sep 2015 #157

They're tired of being told sit down and shut up when it comes to their lives... Lancero Oct 2015 #172

No, people ignore them because they pull stupid, narcissitic stunts unrelated to the cause branford Oct 2015 #174

The ends to this protest is to keep the movement in public mind, to keep the message... Lancero Oct 2015 #175

What garbage. Guess what, people who don't agree with you aren't Republicans or anything close. branford Oct 2015 #176

So, basically, sit down shut up and hope things change? Lancero Oct 2015 #188

No. Don't disrupt a community event with no connection to law enforcement abuses branford Oct 2015 #189

Go ahead, keep pulling the Fox talking points... Lancero Oct 2015 #191

You're doing it again. branford Oct 2015 #193

What was it you said, a post up? Ah yeah, this. Lancero Oct 2015 #200

The local BLM activists have apparently realized that disrupting the marathon was idiotic. branford Oct 2015 #202

If you read my original post in this thread gollygee Oct 2015 #205

If BLM suggests foolish or counterproductive ideas, they should be criticized. branford Oct 2015 #206

Your entire concept is built on the idea that there is no bad PR.. TipTok Oct 2015 #178

+1 gollygee Oct 2015 #179

It may be super amusing to you Aerows Sep 2015 #116

Agreed. Darb Sep 2015 #117

Also, many of the elite runners in the big marathons are running for money. cwydro Sep 2015 #120

I've run one 5k with my sister-in-law. polly7 Oct 2015 #185

What does that entail exactly? Darb Sep 2015 #118

If I was completely indifferent to the parties involved, it might make entertaining TV. lumberjack_jeff Sep 2015 #122

So they can just go around behaving badly at any time or any location... TipTok Sep 2015 #131

that's sort of what activist do in times of crisis. Check ACTUP if you don't understand this La Lioness Priyanka Sep 2015 #160

So would you be OK with BLM actively disrupting the Special Olympics? sir pball Sep 2015 #170

An oppressed group disrupting an event for another oppressed group gollygee Oct 2015 #180

The disabled participate in marathons as well, including Twin Cities riderinthestorm Oct 2015 #194

I said "general marathon" - which means everyone. n/t gollygee Oct 2015 #195

I was responding to your comment @ an oppressed group - the disabled riderinthestorm Oct 2015 #201

No, that isn't what targeting means gollygee Oct 2015 #203

But it will de facto happen. Moot point now anyway nt riderinthestorm Oct 2015 #204

That's not an answer to the question you were asked melman Oct 2015 #196

I wasn't asked any question at all. gollygee Oct 2015 #197

Here's a thought: Shankapotomus Sep 2015 #158

Probably because the police will respond... TipTok Sep 2015 #167

I'm sure it'll be a big success! Waiting For Everyman Sep 2015 #103

I always hope nobody gets injured. MineralMan Sep 2015 #105

That is a colossally stupid idea. Darb Sep 2015 #106

The St. Paul PD Chief said that anyone Snobblevitch Sep 2015 #123

Good melman Sep 2015 #130

I just saw that. The BLM leader just MineralMan Sep 2015 #141

I'm not a huge fan of the St. Paul BLM tactics. Snobblevitch Sep 2015 #143

I find it hard to dig up sympathy for the participants. Glassunion Sep 2015 #127

Ever run a marathon? Puglover Sep 2015 #134

I said in the OP that I am not a runner. MineralMan Sep 2015 #142

Uh no you didn't mention that. Puglover Sep 2015 #144

You're right. I said that in #3. MineralMan Sep 2015 #145

No worries. Puglover Sep 2015 #147

I was a dumb idea when I first heard about it yesterday and its still a dumb idea today tularetom Sep 2015 #152

This is a very ugly Aerows Sep 2015 #164

Many are running for a cause such as ChazII Oct 2015 #173

behaving like ass holes - what a great idea. Lil Missy Oct 2015 #177

On one hand, blocking runners doesn't seem necessarily like a great idea gollygee Oct 2015 #181

The Kenyans and other superb black runners cwydro Oct 2015 #184

So it sounds like the amount of planning BLM put into this boils down to... randome Oct 2015 #186

Sounds like a great way to get people hurt. bluedigger Oct 2015 #182

As I suspected, this came to nothing. cwydro Oct 2015 #207

It took negotiations to change the plans. MineralMan Oct 2015 #208

Yes, they were able to save face because of the saner folks in power there. cwydro Oct 2015 #209

From what I read. romanic Oct 2015 #210