On Monday, 4/25/22, the Falmouth Road Race organizers met with the Select Board to appeal the town decision to cap the number of runners for this year’s race (August 21, 2022) at 10,000. They originally wanted to raise the number to 15,000 for the 2022 50th anniversary. The number had been capped at 12,800 for about the past 10 years.
Read the 4/29/22 Enterprise Falmouth Road Race Appeals To The Select Board To Increase Cap On Runners (page 1 & 15) or watch the meeting on YouTube (scroll to 1:54 through 3:25).
Highlights:
Police Chief Edward A. Dunne said he “can’t guarantee public safety” over 10,000 due to officer shortages. The Police Department is budgeted for 62 officers but now has only 44 which, with 2 retirees, will decrease to 42 by July. All officers are required to work on race day. In past years, the Chief has scoured the Cape for other officers to work that day. While they are paid, these extra officers are volunteering to work a “detail” but “can’t be locked in” and sometimes cancel at the last minute. Each year he is able to find only three to a dozen or so out-of-town officers to work the race. In addition, there are some new regulations requiring officers to pass the Police Officer Selection Test (POST) in order to act as an officer. Others may be able to be hired to direct traffic at the race, allowing POST officers to man both the race and the rest of Falmouth’s 44 square miles. The Boston Marathon has 25,000 runners with 300 police officers. Falmouth has had 12,800 runners allowed in the past with an average of 60 officers, but worse this year, Falmouth may only have 42 officers come race day.
The Road Race officials were surprised to have their request for 15,000 reduced to 10,000. Because of COVID, 6000 runners from the past two years who couldn’t attend were given the option of being guaranteed a spot this year. Another 3500 “bibs” have been pledged to charities, a commitment that occurs prior to registration being open to the general public. This leaves only 500 spots open for Falmouth residents when usually about 2500 residents run the race. Of the 6000 guaranteed deferrals, only about 3500 had signed up by Monday 4/25, but the deadline is Saturday 4/30 so more may register.
A number of Falmouth residents spoke to express their disappointment, sadness and support for Falmouth runners to be given the opportunity to register. One said residents will feel blind-sided when they hear of this cap. One option suggested is to open enrollment to Falmouth residents only, not to the general public. Since residents already live here, they won’t count as extra people coming into Falmouth.
The Select Board continued the hearing until their next meeting on 5/9, after the race officials report how many of the 6000 spots become available after the deadline to register.