by The Boston Athletic Association (BAA) issued an apology to two running clubs after they sued Newton police for racist surveillance in a cheerleading area at Monday’s Boston Marathon.
An incident went viral in the hours after the marathon when YouTube and runner Mike Remy posted video of their club meeting at mile 21 of the race at Heartbreak Hill.
The Pioneers Run Crew cheer zone was filled with grills, barbecues and music as they cheered on the runners through a notoriously difficult stretch of the race. However, later, Remy’s video showed that they were surrounded by police officers.
“It’s not the kind of reporting I’m trying to do here, but we have [cops] over here, and hella cops right behind us. Why are we surrounded by the police? Why are we surrounded by cops?” she asked in the video.
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Police officers walk near the finish line during the 127th Boston Marathon in Boston on April 17, 2023. (Jose Prezioso)
Remy also asked the police if “that [was] like this throughout the course.
“We can’t cheer anymore. I guess we can’t cheer anymore…” he continued. “Are we cheering too hard? Are we rooting for our friends too much?”
Pioneers Run Crew and TrailblazHERs Run Co. said they were “objective and selected” because of their career.
The BAA said it should have “created[d] a welcoming and supportive environment for [Black, Indigenous and people of color] communities in the marathon”.
Runners run down Boylston Street in the rain at the 127th Boston Marathon. (Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
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“We know what the Boston Marathon means to our communities; it’s very personal to so many of you. We know that everyone who participates loves celebrating the excitement of the race, whether they are athletes, volunteers, spectators or supporters.” the baa said in a statement.
“However, this year, we know we fell short of our promise to make it a great day for everyone. Last night we met with two groups, whom BAA is proud to support in their career pursuits, their members and their mission: Pioneers Run Crew and TrailblazHers Run Co., two of Boston’s leading clubs for BIPOC runners.
“They expressed deep concern to us that they didn’t get a chance to enjoy the day and celebrate with their friends, family and all the participants as they approached Heartbreak Hill. That’s up to us. It’s our job and we need to do better.” to create a welcoming and supportive environment for the BIPOC communities at the marathon.”
Runners crest Heartbreak Hill during the 127th Boston Marathon. (Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
One YouTube user, Winston Vaughan, said in Remy’s video that the Pioneers/TrailblazHers cheer zone “was the highlight of my entire career and absolutely propelled me up that hill.”
When @diversewerun posted the video of Reelthe account user claimed to see “groups of [not Black] drunk college students vomiting on the race track and running free on and off the track” just a half mile from the track.
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Over 30,000 people ran the race.
