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MONTEREY — The smoke from the devastating wildfires across California forced race officials to cancel the Monterey Bay Half Marathon on Sunday. Still, race participants were able to pick up their T-shirts at the starting line and medals were given out near the finish line at Custom House Plaza. Some even ran the race, unofficially.
“We didn’t know what to expect,” said Monterey Bay Half Marathon Race Director Doug Thurston. “I think people are taking it in a good spirit and treating it as kind of a party with everything but the race.”
Thurston said the race was scheduled to include participants from 49 states and 18 different countries. Many of them stayed for the after party that included a table with food and a beer truck.
The race officials for the Monterey Bay Half Marathon made the decision to cancel Sunday’s race due to the rapidly declining air quality situation in the Monterey Bay on Saturday evening.
“Looking at the weather trends Saturday afternoon, we saw the forecast and saw that the air quality was predicted to be unhealthy to very unhealthy,” Thurston said. “And for the safety of the participants and the volunteers and the spectators, we felt it was the only thing we can do under those circumstances.”
According to the Big Sur Marathon Foundation, the air quality was deemed “moderate” and safe for outdoor activity for the 3K and 5K races on Saturday. However, the wind shifted dramatically, blowing smoke from the northeast directly onto the Monterey Peninsula.
Big Sur Marathon Foundation issued a press release stating, “After consulting with our Medical Director and the National Weather Service, we have determined that it is not safe for runners, volunteers, staff, and other race-related personnel to participate in tomorrow’s scheduled events. We deeply apologize for the inconvenience and disappointment that comes with canceling the race but we feel it is the appropriate course of action at this time.”
Thurston said the race will not be rescheduled and as a non-profit organization they are still badyzing the financial considerations but want to do what is appropriate for the participants.
“We’ll be looking at what options might be for future event considerations,” Thurston said.
Johnny Cho of Monterey said he was bummed out when he heard the news, especially since it was going to be his first half marathon. But the 26-year-old was able to put it in perspective considering what happened to the many people who lost their homes, and some their lives, in the wildfires in Paradise. He was supposed to race in his first-ever marathon but said it was still a good first experience.
“I’m grateful to have a home to come to every night because there’s a lot of people out there that lost a lot,” Cho said.
Cho said he agreed with canceling the race, especially with thousands of people’s health at risk.
“You don’t wanna get people hurt by doing this,” Cho said.
Elizabeth Bayardi of Phoenix ended up running the race on her own along with hundreds of other people who showed up to run. The 24-year-old said she walked around town yesterday and the smoke was lingering in the air but it wasn’t too bad.
Bayardi flew in from Phoenix to run in her first half marathon and was upset to hear the news but her friends, who came on the trip, pushed her to still run it.
“I figured I came all this way and trained. I wasn’t going to miss the race,” Bayardi said.
Bayardi said she understood why race officials cancelled the event but she felt fine after crossing the finish line. She said the only setback for her was there weren’t any water stations.
“I think a lot of people were running without water but luckily I brought mine,” said Bayardi showing off a water bottle. “I think that would’ve been the biggest thing for people, not being hydrated.”
Elizabeth Tudhope of San Diego was disappointed but was also thankful that race officials were looking out for people’s health.
“I think they made a good call if the air quality isn’t good enough. And I think it’s great because they’re just putting on a party this morning and everybody’s having a good time,” Tudhope said.
Tudhope also mentioned even though the race was canceled there was nothing to complain about, especially when people in the wildfires are losing a lot more versus not being able to compete in a race. She was accompanied by 20 of her teammates from the group West Coast Runners and said they’re going to try to make the best of their trip, including the big after party at Custom House Plaza.
“I’m surprised that people are such good sports and just coming out having fun,” Tudhope said.
Juan Reyes can be reached at (831) 726-4360
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