The safety of runners, volunteers and spectators is of utmost importance to us. We fully support the city of Middletown in their decision to postpone tomorrow's Harvard Pilgrim Middletown Half Marathon and Legends 4-Mile.
This decision was not made lightly. The Mayor's office worked closely today with the Health Department, Emergency Management, Middletown Fire Department, Middletown Police Department, Public Works Department as well as Middlesex Hospital in determining the safety risk from snow and high winds. (see statement below)
We will provide updates on our website and via Facebook/Twitter as available while we continue to work with the city on rescheduling. We ask your help in communicating to participants about the change.
Participants in the Triple Half Challenge and Spring Ahead series will also be provided details as we confirm them. Please make sure to check your email and HMF communications for updates to address your questions.
Participants in the Triple Half Challenge and Spring Ahead series will also be provided details as we confirm them. Please make sure to check your email and HMF communications for updates to address your questions.
Thank you for your understanding and patience as we work through this situation.
STATEMENT FROM CITY OF MIDDLETOWN:
We have been closely monitoring the weather forecast which calls for several inches of snow tomorrow but, more importantly, sustained winds of close to 60 mph at exactly the time the Harvard Pilgrim Half Marathon would be underway.
This morning the city called together its public safety team including the Health Department, Emergency Management, the Middletown Fire Department, the Middletown Police Department and the Public Works Department. Each of those departments has a hand in the management of the public's safety during the race. We also consulted with Middlesex Hospital which provides medical services during the race.
The departments unanimously recommended that we postpone tomorrow's race due to safety concerns. Included in their considerations were the potential tomorrow morning of downed wires, downed trees, roads slick with snow and ice, difficult wind chill conditions, our inability to keep road barriers safely in place in high wind conditions, and an inability to provide shelter due to tents being blown around in the wind.
The City of Middletown and the Hartford Marathon Foundation therefore have jointly decided to postpone tomorrow'srace. After a careful evaluation and consultation with the appropriate authorities we believe it is in the public's and runners' interest to do so.
We will work closely together to select another date as soon as possible.
STATEMENT FROM CITY OF MIDDLETOWN:
We have been closely monitoring the weather forecast which calls for several inches of snow tomorrow but, more importantly, sustained winds of close to 60 mph at exactly the time the Harvard Pilgrim Half Marathon would be underway.
This morning the city called together its public safety team including the Health Department, Emergency Management, the Middletown Fire Department, the Middletown Police Department and the Public Works Department. Each of those departments has a hand in the management of the public's safety during the race. We also consulted with Middlesex Hospital which provides medical services during the race.
The departments unanimously recommended that we postpone tomorrow's race due to safety concerns. Included in their considerations were the potential tomorrow morning of downed wires, downed trees, roads slick with snow and ice, difficult wind chill conditions, our inability to keep road barriers safely in place in high wind conditions, and an inability to provide shelter due to tents being blown around in the wind.
The City of Middletown and the Hartford Marathon Foundation therefore have jointly decided to postpone tomorrow'srace. After a careful evaluation and consultation with the appropriate authorities we believe it is in the public's and runners' interest to do so.
We will work closely together to select another date as soon as possible.
The Hyannis Marathon and Half Marathon was cancelled last year due to weather. I thought it was very well. Race was not rescheduled but trilogy participants were automatically given credit toward their jackets and runners were given a significant discount for the race this year.
ReplyDeletePlease let us know ASAP when/whether the race will be rescheduled -- for those of us traveling to the race the advance notice is critical (and key to training too). Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSome family and friends are running in honor of Bobbi Eddinger who was killed tragically in a hit and run on Thursday. We all loved her. This was my first step in healing. She was the piano player for our 90 member choir. We sincerely hope this race is rescheduled as soon as possible. Bobbi made the beautiful floral planters that lined main street. you knew her even if you didn't. #eddingerstrong http://fox61.com/2016/04/01/woman-killed-by-hit-and-run-driver-remembered-as-loving-caring-talented/
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about this tragedy. I will think of her when I'm running the rescheduled race.
DeleteI think they should run the race around a track and stay off the streets of middletown. When the race happens I can't leave my house and no one can get to my house cause so many streets are blocked off. It's dangerous.
ReplyDelete