By Dave Kayser
The Boston Athletic Association Looks to the Future
The Boston Athletic Association plans to dispose of their extensive collection of Boston Marathon-related memorabilia, saying it is time for the organization to stop looking into the past and begin to move forward. The B.A.A. told RRM that all materials will be recycled properly according to Council for Responsible Sport standards. Clothing will be donated to the Salvation Army, medals and trophies sent to Ashworth Awards for reuse or recycling and paper and glass items will be given to older runners who perhaps may remember the runners who used the items.
The Verrazano Bridge Takes Its Toll
Undeterred by their failure to extract $750,000 from the New York Road Runners to make up for lost bridge tolls during the running of the New York City Marathon, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority now plans to charge each individual runner as they cross the Verrazano Bridge on race day. Alarmed at the thought of back ups on the Manhattan side of the bridge, NYRR staff are advocating for the use of RFID tags that would be part of the race bib allowing runners to pass through the toll area without stopping. If that proves impractical, they are designing headbands similar in appearance to the cooling bands worn by Paris Olympic marathon runners during the competition that would act as a kind of EZ Pass to collect tolls from the runners. If the tolling plan does move forward congestion pricing will be in effect.
Kipchoge to Inspire Body Builders
Eliud Kipchoge has been busy investigating a variety of business ventures designed to keep his name in the spotlight and continue to provide inspiration to his legion of fans around the world after he runs his last marathon. After being stripped of nearly all his clothing by fans after dropping out of the marathon at the Paris Olympics last summer, he is mulling over the idea of creating a burlesque show to show off his surprisingly muscular and chiseled upper body. The shows, expected to run just under two hours, would be held in conjunction with International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation events around the world. Whether or not Kichoge and his troupe would go The Full Monty would be up to promoters willing to add financial inducements to Kipchoge’s appearance fee. Said Kipchoge ”After providing inspiration for runners for so many years it is now time to inspire the next generation of body builders.” [Editor’s note-Ryan Hall is reportedly interested in joining the venture in some capacity.]
Linden Picks Up the Pace
Runner, author, podcaster, television personality and entrepreneur Des Linden revealed during her most recent interview with Whisky Advocate magazine that she plans to introduce a whiskey flavored sports drink for those who can’t wait to celebrate their latest running and racing achievements. Linden is reportedly heavily involved in the taste testing which she does during her daily training runs and while planning ‘Nobody Asked Us’ podcast content with her co-host Kara Goucher. Linden is undecided on the name of the new product so will be fielding ideas from spectators while she is competing in the Boston Marathon later this month. Reached by phone while she was interviewing candidates for her new agent and appointments secretary, Linden said she hopes to involve Brooks, her shoe and apparel sponsor, in the unveiling of the new drink at the same time as her new shoe, The Linden, is introduced to the public.
Laz Lake Takes the Barkley Marathons Shopping
After numerous complaints on this year’s exceedingly tough Barkley Marathon’s course, race director Lazarus Lake has shown his tender side by deciding to hold next year’s race in a shopping mall. During a recent interview with RRM, Lake, who also goes by the nom de plume Gary Cantrell, mused on his failure to not recognize the potential of malls for the Barkley earlier, where parking is plentiful for both contestants and spectators, rest rooms can be used as changing areas and food courts patronized by the famished runners to refuel on endless amounts of fast food, Asian cuisine, pizza and soda. Lake expects a sponsorship deal with mall management will include course monitoring by mall security personnel. Checkpoints will be located in a Barnes & Noble store, with the time-honored requirement that runners tear out a page of a preselected book hidden in the Travel section of the store as proof of lap completion. Lake is contemplating keeping the mall location unknown to participants to maintain a semblance of the event’s edginess.
Taylor Swift Hits the Road Again
Taylor Swift, out of the public eye since her crushing defeat at this year’s Super Bowl, has entered the April 27 Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon. She has been spending time at her estate in the upscale Nashville suburb of Belle Meade, alternately training for the event and writing new songs, which she plans to sing as she dances her way along the course with backup dancers. The intensely competitive Swift is also planning on setting a fastest known time for a pop star at a marathon, recently set by Harry Styles in Tokyo last month. Close companion Travis Kelce has opted out of the venture, conveniently citing a mandatory offseason Kansas City Chiefs training camp hastily scheduled for that weekend. According to race officials, a slight increase in spectators is expected at the event despite Kelce’s absence.
A Star is Unborn
Abbott World Majors Marathon officials, worried that too many runners are earning the coveted Seven Star Medal by running all seven Majors Marathons, have decided to add the Antarctic Ice Marathon to the Majors series, quickly making the new Seven Star Medal obsolete.The move was made after 562 runners immediately became Seven Star Medal holders when the Sydney Marathon became the seventh Majors race last November. The Antarctic Marathon saw just 65 finishers in the 2024 edition of the race, guaranteeing far fewer runners wearing the coveted Eight Star Medal in the future.
Road Race Management Says Goodbye to Running
Much like the first running boom in the 1970s, pickleball enthusiasts expect the sport to continue its meteoric rise into the consciousness of American sports fans. After many months of careful consideration, Road Race Management has decided to shift their emphasis to the new sport and will henceforth be known as Pickleball Management. Publisher and editor Phil Stewart expects the new venture to become the official voice of the sport with its in-depth reporting on how to correctly manage the needs and desires of the sport’s players, both old and new. The running roots of RRM will be evident, as articles will include how pickleball can become an added attraction at road races, a list of orthopedic surgeons specializing in pickleball injuries and how to deal with lawsuits from those living near pickleball courts.
Coming next month: Valencia Marathon officials concerned the race is getting too fast.