Boston Organizers Dealing With “Renaissance Period”

The historic race is more popular than ever.

The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) is experiencing growing pains. According to President Joann Flaminio, the organizing body of the Boston Marathon is currently undergoing “our renaissance period.” The race’s popularity is at an all-time high and yesterday race officials discussed the new three-wave start for Monday’s race as well as the registration process for next year’s event.

The new system of starting the race entails releasing groups of approximately 9000 runners each. Runners have the color of their starting group on their bib.

According to race director Dave McGillivray, it should take runners no more than seven minutes to pass through the starting chute to reach the finish line.

“We’re all about quality and not about quantity,” McGillivray said. “People expect certain elements from us each year. Hopefully, they’ll get it. We take it very seriously. We didn’t feel the two-wave start was meeting our expectations, especially with the second wave reload system.”

Approximately 27,000 participants are expected this year.

For More: Boston Herald