Boston Marathon

The BAA is inviting 5,633 runners who were unable to cross the finish line at this year's marathon back to run in the 2014 Boston Marathon next year.

In a press release today, they listed the eligibility as having at least crossed the half-marathon checkpoint when the race was stopped at 2:50 PM. They do not yet know what the total size of next year's field will be set at, but those invited back will be given the chance to be a part of that field automatically by using a non-transferable unique code that will be given out in August.

Those affected by this decision should already have received an e-mail letting them know that they were included.

Video by Douglas Bennett of the events following the terror attack at the Boston Marathon.

Don't.

Jed Hresko captured the scene down Boylston yesterday. Mike the Mad Biologist has more photos.

Just in time for Patriots Day, the BPL has posted Marathon photos by Leslie Jones, including the immortal Johnny Kelley finishing the race second in 1940 and on the way to his first-place finish in 1945 (on far right; in Natick Center, ye ed thinks):

Owen Williams was among the hundreds of people in a world-class line for non-existent cabs at one Logan terminal around 1 a.m. today.

"Nice welcome for marathoners," adds Catboston, also in the line.

The Huntington News reports 13 racers will be dressed like hamburgers - and raising money for a charity sponsored by the local B.Good burger chain.

City Councilor Matt O'Malley (Jamaica Plain/West Roxbury) ran the Marathon today - and turned on the video on his phone for the last 200 yards.

Compare to then Mayor Ray Flynn in the 1984 Marathon.

Paul Keleher watched the Marathon near the Newton/Wellesley line. He captured both the women's leaders (winner Sharon Cherop was fifth at that point) and the men (winner Wesley Korir was fourth):

Ari Alexinberg did the video. Also see the last five miles of the race via Google Earth.

Boston Police report the runner knocked to the ground by some guy who wanted to run alongside a friend contacted detectives today:

While she is grateful and thankful for the interest and efforts taken by the Boston Police Department to locate her in an effort to better understand the extent of her injuries, she reports feeling fine and has respectfully declined seeking or pressing additional charges against the spectator who knocked her down.

Police, however, say they will continue to build their case against Brendan Quinn, 20, of Medfield, on charges of disorderly conduct and disturbing a public assembly.

Innocent, etc.

Boston Police report they are looking for a runner they say was smashed into by a guy who wanted to run alongside a pal in Cleveland Circle, to aid them in their case against him.

Police say officers watched the guy jump over metal barriers on Chestnut Hill Avenue near Englewood Avenue around 2:20 p.m., then "violently" knock the runner down "in an effort to meet with a friend who was running in the marathon."

The crush of runners prevented officers from getting to the woman, whom police say was helped to her feet by other runners and then assisted in continuing toward Cleveland Circle. Police add officers were unable to see her bib number.

Police describe her as a a white woman, 35-40, with a slim build and dark hair and wearing dark running gear. If you know the bruised runner, or saw her getting knocked down, contact detectives at 617-343-4335.

In contrast, police say, they were able to catch up with the suspect, who will be summonsed to court to face charges of disorderly conduct and disturbing a public assembly.

Nathanael Hevelone captured a pair of demotivators along the Marathon route today.

Posted under this Creative Commons license and in the Universal Hub pool on Flickr.

Paul Keleher watched the Boston Marathon at mile 16, where he photographed a group of front-running women, including eventually winner Caroline Kilel (at right).

Meanwhile, NECN reports a man fell four floors off a roof at 1835 Beacon St. in Brookline while watching the race. NECN says a group of people had been drinking there since 8 a.m.

Copyright Paul Keleher. Posted in the Universal Hub pool on Flickr.

Apparently that's news to the MBTA management, based on the latest T alert:

Green Line experiencing 15-20 min delays on all lines between North Station & Kenmore stations due to increased ridership for the Boston Marathon & Red Sox game. Please allow extra time for commute. 18/2011 11:26 AM

Michael Schlow (yes, that Michael Schlow) is none too happy with how long the streets along Boylston are blocked off. In two tweets tonight, he writes:

Boston Marathon Monday, you'd think we'd showcase the beauty here instead of all the barricades ... looks like martial law has been imposed.

So utterly stupid. ... no valet allowed, barricades everywhere, streets are empty ... the marathon isn't for 2 days!!!

As Adam Castiglioni notes:

[Schlow's] Tico is located on the corner of Stuart and Berkeley in the finish area of the Boston Marathon where the family meeting area for finishing runners will be.

Meg Reilly ponders the changes, announced yesterday, to the Boston Marathon's registration: Qualifying times are now almost 6 minutes faster; she wonders at what point do hometown runners get shut out completely of the local race.

BAA cites this magnet as example.The Boston Athletic Association yesterday filed a federal lawsuit against CafePress and Zazzle for letting users sell T-shirts, magnets and mugs related to a famous race held on Patriots Day in Eastern Massachusetts that the BAA doesn't even want you to refer to without paying them for the privilege.

The suit, filed in US District Court in Boston, seeks several million dollars in damages. Although some of the examples cited by the BAA use its trademarked unicorn symbol or the words "Boston Marathon,' the BAA alleges it is also suffering "irreparable injury" from shirts bearing logos such as "BOS 26.2," "BOSTON 26.2" and "BOSTON QUALIFIER," especially when combined with an image of a runner and the date of the specific 26.2-mile footrace through several cities and towns in eastern Massachusetts. The BAA says these are "confusingly similar" and "falsely suggest sponsorship by or affiliation with the BOSTON MARATHON event."

BOSTON MARATHON® is a famous mark. The B.A.A. has for decades expended considerable efforts and resources promoting the BOSTON MARATHON® event and operating a licensing program that makes official BOSTON MARATHON® merchandise available to the public. The B.A.A. has also expended considerable efforts and resources in enforcing its exclusive and valuable rights in the BOSTON MARATHON® mark. The public recognizes the BOSTON MARATHON® mark as indicating a single source of goods and services.

Both companies only sell products designed by users. The suit was also technically brought against ten "John Does," although the BAA complaint limits its demand for monetary penalties - and advertising the shirts were not connected with that race - to the two T-shirt publishers.

Complete complaint.

Why is that the name and photo of the first NON-ELITE runner (i.e. ordinary person who doesn't run for a living) who crosses the finish line has NEVER been featured in the media?

Yeah, sure, most of the people running the Marathon today had your basic boring running outfits on. But then there were the outliers, like the Cat in the Hat and Minnie Mouse (safely separated by a couple miles):

Channel 4 reports a bronze plaque on the statue of Johnny Kelly in Newton has been stolen.

Just yesterday:
Bronze plaques on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall stolen.

Too late - they've already closed registration, Jon Chesto reports. You might find a charity that's willing to let you run with one of their numbers, but you'll either have to get a lot of people to donate money or pony up yourself.

Alicia Priselac recounts her race - as well as the after-race bunion-therapy station back home.

Matt O'Malley describes his agony and ecstasy on the course.

Penny Cherubino posts photos from the Hereford Street turn, including one of the double-amputee guy running the race.

Patriot and Redcoat run the Marathon. And yes, she got all the way to Brookline holding a hobby horse.

Presidents' Day was a couple months ago, Abe:

That's a lot of runners on Beacon Street:

That's some marketing gimmick.

Om Gal discusses why experimenting with drugs as a teen might have cured her of her need to seek risks:

In mid January, I found myself running around Castle Island in South Boston at sunrise, on a morning when the temperature dipped well below zero. It was dark, with only faint splashes of orange, the color of campfire embers, alighting the skyline opposite Logan Airport. Castle Island, it should be said, is not actually an island, as in a land mass surrounded by water. Instead, it’s a small bay, encircled by a footpath that typically draws throngs of runners, walkers, bikers, and loiterers. This morning, however, I am alone - save for some construction workers at Conley Terminal, who, when they glimpse me struggling to negotiate my way over sheets of ice, are barely able to conceal their shaking heads and incredulous expressions that all but say, "WTF are you are thinking, lady? It's freezing out here!" ...