Update
VBPD ops for the event was on the beat TG (40144); VB EMS ops was on TAC 7 (39056).
Expect the same two TG's for the marathon event tomorrow.
The amateur radio net on 146.97 moved to 146.49 simplex after all stations arrived at their respective positions. Marathon ops will be on 146.97. Normally, when the last stragglers are within 1 or 2 miles of the finish line, this net will switch to simplex until the last straggler crosses the finish line. (If you listen on .97, we refer to the last runner as "tail end charlie". I do not know how that terminology came about.)
If the air temp and wind tomorrow morning is like it was this morning, there might be a few medical emergencies. This morning a runner's leg cramped up on the boardwalk @ 19th St.; another collapsed at the finish line. There was supposedly another runner down on Pacific near 30th St but was never located.
These events in the past were held simultaneously on the Saturday closest to St. Patrick's Day. This is the first year the 8k & marathon events have been held on separate days.
I've worked this event almost every year since 1989. It's really fun to work. The number of medical assistance calls depends on the weather. In some years when the running conditions were near perfect, it's a pretty quiet race. In years like today with the cold and in the past warm in the 70's the number of calls increase. I remember one year on a really warm day, it seemed that runners were dropping like flies on the Shore Drive bypass around Ft. Story; that's a shaded highway! At my post (mile 26), several runners over the years have collapsed or darn near do so in front of me.
I won't be able to be there tomorrow; will listen in when/if I get a chance.
