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2008 Boston Marathon Coverage

Unlike last year, where it was easy for me to get coverage of the Boston Marathon because:

1. I live on the course, going outside was easy.
2. It was covered live on the local CBS affiliate, WBZ.
3. It was also broadcast nationally on Versus TV. 

This year I have to rely on the BAA live blogging platform.  Last year was the first time that they attempted such an effort.  You may recall I wrote on the subject.  It was a complete failure. 

This year, they are attempting it again, hopefully with better success.  I'll be checking in throughout the day to see how it goes. It will also continued to be covered live on both WBZ and Versus for those of you fortunate enough to get to watch television during the day.

UPDATE (10:30am): So far, so good.  Updates are coming in at 5 minute intervals for both the men's and women's races.  They've already surpassed themselves from next year.  Now if only they tightened up the interface.

2007 Boston Marathon Coverage

I write about running a lot here.

And since today is the Boston Marathon, I am following the race closely as it passes by my apartment.

It seems that the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) tried/is trying to do some event blogging. While I love the idea, for those avid runners or family members who can't make it to the race, don't get Versus, or live in the Boston area, where it is also airing on the CBS affiliate. I like it better when it's working.

The concept of live event blogging is popular. Think CES when Apple was unveiling the iPhone, Steve Jobs keynote was up to the minute. A commitment has to be made to have the right technology in place. It seems that the BAA inserted the idea as an afterthought.

The BAA has two individuals writing up their own expert commentary, news, and coverage: Barabara Huebner and Jim O'Brien. While Barabara is keeping up to the best of her ability, the site isn't, the actual Commentary page hasn't updated since 9:35am, so you can only read small snippets and if you missed something on the homepage, it's gone. And where's Jim? Haven't heard from him since before the start.

In the search of a better alternate, I found Running Times was offering live coverage. But keep receiving a timeout as the Server can't handle the load.

Meanwhile Versus and WBZ have two unique styles, expert and local. While I have watched some of Versus' coverage, WBZ offers a much funnier alternative, as the regular newscasters, who have no running expertise try to look good, focusing on the mediocre and obscure. And their websites both fall short. Versus doesn't even have it on the homepage. And WBZ is webcasting, which is could, although with their television coverage being technically challenged, how good will the live webcasts be?

In a sport that suffers from a lack of exposure, these elite and honored events need to capitalize on an audience that loves its niches and could use the internet audience.

2007 Marathon to Test Runners' Mettle

The wind has been whipping against my building all night and as I spent from 6-7am laying in bed, I got really excited about today's Boston Marathon.   I know the conditions aren't ideal and to be honest, we've been spoiled in the city on Boston on Patriot's Day the last few years with gorgeous weather and the first true signs of Spring.

This year is different with a Nor'easter roaring through the course, and mostly in the face of the runners.  As I've said a couple of days ago, I don't like bandits.  And I'm curious to see who will back down today.... as this marathon is going to one of the toughest to date, even with the rain supposedly easing before the start. About 10% of marathon entrants never start. 

After 18+ weeks of dedicated training and for those who are official, a qualifying marathon already under the belt, I applaud the effort.  And while I realize that the weather is worse than most people are used to, I hope that all put in their grittiest efforts on the road today, showing the spectators how tough they are, even the bandits, because they most of all need to show that they deserve it.

Good luck to all runners who brave the wind, rain, and whatever else comes in your way.  I will be joining you outside with laces tied, but not for the full 26.2.  After my year+ of running (and years before that), these are the days I appreciate, the days when you don't want to go out there and when the chips seemed stacked against you.  These are the days when the run transcends the pain and discomfort.

Go Boston Runners!

Boston Marathon: I Won't Be A Bandit.

Monday is Patriot's Day, a Massachusetts holiday which means my taxes are due a day later and that a ridiculous amount of runners will pass the apartment in their quests to conquer 26.2 miles in the 111th running of the Boston Marathon.

And in my own spirited fashion, I am participating.  I have the day off to watch the television coverage and cheer the competitors.  I am not running, despite being asked on a almost daily basis.  My reason is simple.  I will not run Boston as a bandit.

Anyone reading this who doesn't know what a bandit is, the definition is basic.  It is any runner who runs the race without an official number.  Boston offers official numbers to those individuals who qualified by meeting time standards or through charitable organizations who are allotted numbers to give to members and contributors.  The time standards can be found on the Boston Athletic Association website or by clinking this link.  The size of the field is limited to 22,500 runners, although many more will hoof it from Hopkinton to Boylston St.

Despite predictions of bad weather this year, the event will still be a big deal.  Almost half a million people will line the streets to watch and the various colleges will celebrate in their own fashions, a different marathon of sorts.