Abilene (Texas) Marathon cancelled
YMCA cancels Marathon of the Great Southwest
By Blanca Cantu, Abilene Reporter News
March 4, 2006
The YMCA Marathon of the Great Southwest was cancelled this week out of safety concerns and a low number of runners.
The race, in its 28th year, was scheduled for March 18. Only 27 runners (one of those runners was The Woodlands' Lou Wilson) registered for the marathon, which in the past drew several hundred. A route of about 26 miles was planned for runners, making a figure eight through the city from the south side to downtown and north toward Hardin-Simmons University.
The race would have entailed a trek across major intersections on several Abilene streets including South 27th, South 20th, South 14th, South 7th and Barrow Streets. The race was set to begin and end at the YMCA in Redbud Park.
YMCA Redbud Executive Director Steve Hudman said that with the organization's ''budget crunch'' and the increasing cost of insurance, the liability was too great.
''It was just more or less a business decision,'' Hudman said.
Hudman said the community event never made much money. According to Hudman, the marathon costs about $5,000 to $8,000 to put on. Hudman said about 125 to 150 runners usually participate but only 27 registered this year.
Hudman said the YMCA board also was concerned about hazards created by runners in the middle of the city streets.
''All the (street) intersections couldn't be protected (by police),'' Hudman said.
Sgt. Doug Wrenn, over the traffic division for the Abilene Police Department, said he was surprised to learn the event had been cancelled. Eight officers were hired to work the marathon, Wrenn said.
He did, however, express concerns to YMCA organizers about the safety of the route.
''The biggest problem was crossing Southwest Drive at noon,'' Wrenn said. ''At 12 noon, the cars are almost backed up to Brookhollow Drive. It was not the safest venue.''
Wrenn said he suggested changing the route for next year, leading the runners from the south side of Abilene to an area just outside of town.
Wrenn said there may have been a misconception that the police weren't supportive of the event, but he added the department tries to help make community events as safe as possible.
Wrenn acknowledged that eight officers would not have been enough protection for runners.
Without complete police protection for the marathon throughout the city, it was too big of a risk to hold the event, the YMCA's Hudman said.
By Blanca Cantu, Abilene Reporter News
March 4, 2006
The YMCA Marathon of the Great Southwest was cancelled this week out of safety concerns and a low number of runners.
The race, in its 28th year, was scheduled for March 18. Only 27 runners (one of those runners was The Woodlands' Lou Wilson) registered for the marathon, which in the past drew several hundred. A route of about 26 miles was planned for runners, making a figure eight through the city from the south side to downtown and north toward Hardin-Simmons University.
The race would have entailed a trek across major intersections on several Abilene streets including South 27th, South 20th, South 14th, South 7th and Barrow Streets. The race was set to begin and end at the YMCA in Redbud Park.
YMCA Redbud Executive Director Steve Hudman said that with the organization's ''budget crunch'' and the increasing cost of insurance, the liability was too great.
''It was just more or less a business decision,'' Hudman said.
Hudman said the community event never made much money. According to Hudman, the marathon costs about $5,000 to $8,000 to put on. Hudman said about 125 to 150 runners usually participate but only 27 registered this year.
Hudman said the YMCA board also was concerned about hazards created by runners in the middle of the city streets.
''All the (street) intersections couldn't be protected (by police),'' Hudman said.
Sgt. Doug Wrenn, over the traffic division for the Abilene Police Department, said he was surprised to learn the event had been cancelled. Eight officers were hired to work the marathon, Wrenn said.
He did, however, express concerns to YMCA organizers about the safety of the route.
''The biggest problem was crossing Southwest Drive at noon,'' Wrenn said. ''At 12 noon, the cars are almost backed up to Brookhollow Drive. It was not the safest venue.''
Wrenn said he suggested changing the route for next year, leading the runners from the south side of Abilene to an area just outside of town.
Wrenn said there may have been a misconception that the police weren't supportive of the event, but he added the department tries to help make community events as safe as possible.
Wrenn acknowledged that eight officers would not have been enough protection for runners.
Without complete police protection for the marathon throughout the city, it was too big of a risk to hold the event, the YMCA's Hudman said.
posted by WalkSports.com | 3:36 AM
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