Comments on: Road Race Closures to Get A Closer Look

By: chickenlittle

chickenlittle — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 16:27:32 +0000

Thanks for this article. It’s gotten to the point where every two-bit, vanity charity in Wake County is allowed to close down Hillsborough Street for several hours, weekend after weekend, regardless of the impact on residents and visitors. Combined with poor communications and the gruff officers of the Raleigh Police Department — who are more likely to threaten you with arrest for daring to ask directions on how to get across Hillsborough Street to your own home than to spend twenty seconds to help you out — the current policies make a joke out of our public road system, turn neighborhood streets into a mess and create ill will for the charities.

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 03:21:22 +0000

“Priority for events organized or sponsored by the city. City Council would reserve the right to declare some events, such as the Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon, economic development events with rights over smaller activities.”

Translation: The city can and will do what they want and will displace local events. They will also allow events that they “sponsor” to bypass rules that local races have to follow.

Just imagine how much good races like the City of Oaks Marathon could accomplish if the city paid them $125,000. I’m willing to bet they could create as much or more economic benefit for Raleigh as Competitor group will with a poorly run Rock ‘n Roll event. I also fail to understand how the local guys are being asked to pay a premium to use the public greenways, when the city apparently has $125,000 to spend.

By: Adam

Adam — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 23:36:38 +0000

I started running 5Ks last fall. This issue struck me immediately. I knew I couldn’t be the only one.