BAA 5k

The BAA 5K race is 3.2 miles long,
running through the heart of Boston’s Back Bay.
It’s a short, fun run for friends, families
charities, and work groups to do together.
Everyone who finishes gets a medal too.
THE DEAL: There are photographers set up
all along the course. So, SMILE PRETTY
whenever you see one on either side…
cause they’re taking your photo either way!
(I’ve got a LOT of pics of me grimmicing, LOL)

I should have re-​read my own review before signing up for the BAA 5K again.
The BAA 5K entrant field was expanded this year from 6000 runners to 10,000, in part to accommodate the many people who want to be a part of the marathon weekend after last year’s events. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate that sentiment, and BAA’s desire to make running in Boston this weekend accessible. But if the BAA was going to expand an already ludicrously crowded race, they needed to adjust the start and finish line organization accordingly. They did not.
The start line was pandemonium. I tried to line up near my pace (an 8 – 9 minute mile). Once the gun went off and people began to move toward the start, volunteers started yanking away the corral gates and encouraging people to move into the newly opened lane next to the corral. Quickly, people from the slower pace areas began to move ahead. As I got closer to the start, it became apparent that the runner’s corral was actually in that next lane, and there was a huge traffic jam where people were forced to move from the lane where we’d been lined up.
Basically, I spent most of this race weaving around walkers and slower runners who should have started later in the corral. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: not only is this NOT FUN, it’s a great way to get injured. Large groups of walkers and slow runners created obstacles throughout the course.
It is not typical to have a wave start at a 5K due to the race length, but with a field this size, the BAA really should consider it. It would greatly improve the race experience for runners of all abilities and would probably increase the average finish time for the middle-​of-​the-​pack runners like myself, which I would think would appeal to the race organizers.
At the finish line, pandemonium reigned once again. This is the longest I’ve ever had to wait to get out of the finish corral, due again to traffic jams that could have been avoided with better signage, better paced finishing, or a more reasonable entrant field.
To top it all off, the race shirts are only available in a unisex style (read, men’s). This race was 59% women. Men’s shirts do not fit women, typically, in a flattering way, and for running, I find that an oversize shirt is actually a great way to lose some skin to chafing. So I think the choice of men’s shirts for all runners in this expensive and symbolic race is an additional kick in the balls (metaphorically, since as you may have gathered, I am a woman). I decided to just cut my losses and get my shirt in my husband’s size since I don’t need a nightshirt.
It’s a shame how badly organized the start and finish of this race are, because it’s a beautiful course, the volunteers are amazing, and the city of Boston is a fabulous setting. I think part of why I am so frustrated with the BAA 5K is that I see how much more it could be. I get that the marathon is the BAA’s marquee event and that to some extent these other races raise money to support that. But a better race experience could raise more than money, it could nurture people’s dedication to running, which in turn would continually benefit the BAA. I would even pay a higher entry fee for a wave start and a shirt that actually fit me and let me display my BAA pride. I really hope they consider some changes.