(Boston Marathon/Facebook)
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — In a release Friday morning, the Boston Athletic Association announced a few changes to the plan for Monday's running of the 123rd Boston Marathon due to expected inclement weather.
They said the changes were meant to ensure the safety of all marathon participants.
With rain, strong winds, and temperatures in the 30s anticipated, the 2019 marathon could end up looking a lot like last year's.
The biggest change is that the fourth wave of runners will be released immediately following the third wave, "reducing the amount of time participants are waiting in the Athletes’ Village prior to beginning their race," according to the BAA. There would normally be a 25-minute gap between those waves.
In addition, they're shoring up the weather readiness of staging areas with more tent walls, heating and flooring. Medical aid stations are preparing to deal with higher volume, and volunteers along the course will have additional ponchos and hand warmers.
Because the weather could impact "participants in the wheelchair division, handcycle program, duo program, and runners competing with prosthesis," the BAA is allowing eligible athletes to defer to next year's race, entering the 2020 marathon with qualifying standards waived.
"We continue to encourage participants to use their best judgement in preparing for and participating in the Boston Marathon," the BAA statement read.
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