Bloody fuck! What was going on with that baggage tent. Way too small and definitely understaffed. I saw car keys and clothes trodden into the mud. People shaking violently with cold, wearing their race kit. A disappointing end to a very cold race.
Thought I'd put together a list of stuff that people have lost and maybe owners can be reunited with their gear.
I've lost a (fake) Tommy Hilfiger jacket. It's navy blue with mustard coloured lining, half zip and hood. Small ladies size. If found, I'd really like it back and would happily pay for postage if you've picked it up by mistake.
Thanks,
Lorraine.
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The baggage area was absolutely awful. Not only were the bags in no order, but there seemed to be a complete disregard for them. They appeared to be just in one huge heap. I hope everyone gets their stuff back.
But in spite of the cold, I absolutely loved it. It's been brilliant checking here each day to see how everyone's preparations have been going.
Roll on Dublin in October! Bit warmer though please!!
Found nothing.
I managed to find my bag in the end but when i did it was empty!
It only had a blue altura jacket & some other stuff in it but my phone was in the jacket.
Not a great phone but has pictures of my daughters on it.
Hope most people get re-united with all lost stuff
My bag had been opened, clothes trodden on and a blue felt phone cover, a present from my daughter with £10 in was gone and had been at the bottom of the bag.
I would imagine a lot of people suffered from the cold waiting for their bags.
Hope everyone finds their stuff.
you can all join me in venting your frustration on event review page...http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/events/ratingsall.asp?sp=&v=8&ugn=11405&en=64405
(not sure if link will work)
I lost an Usdaw carrier bag (white and red with yellow writing) containing a Ronhill waterproof jacket and trousers - black with purple trim - size 8. It was inside my kitbag.
I think it's a massive shame that the baggage pick-up was such an unmitigated disaster. The rest of the race (as far as I saw, anyway) was pretty well organised. This will cast a shadow over what was otherwise a great day, despite the weather.
Half the disaster could have been avoided if they hadn't insisted on these bags. 5000 identical too small bags that didn't stay shut!! I really despair!
http://www.marathon-photos.com
From the organiser's website:
Greater Manchester Marathon statement about the baggage area
We, the organisers of the Greater Manchester Marathon, would like to make a statement to all the runners apologising for the baggage area.
We want to issue an official apology about the baggage area at the Greater Manchester Marathon 2012 and apologise hugely to all our runners who experienced issues with their baggage drop off or retrieval. We understand how important this area is and after investigation into what happened we have instantly put amendments in place for the 2013 race.
Although some elements of the baggage area disruption were beyond our control we take full responsibility for correction of the system for the 2013 race.
We have the remaining bags that we have taken from the race finish and shall be posting these to runners as soon as possible. Also, if you have any individual items missing please let us know [b]via email[/b] This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it as all lost property left on site was collected.
We understand the harsh weather conditions added to the discomfort of the waiting time for baggage drop off or retrieval and this highlighted further that a quicker system needs to be in place no matter what the weather conditions but particularly for speed in unusual ones.
I wonder why they can't take full responsibility?
Ive used them ten times with no problems - everyone puts a knot in the cord though - this didn't happen here I guess ?
Hi Cougie.
I know what you mean about London using identical bags, the problem with Manchester was at London you are given a particular truck to leave your bag on which is linked to your number, at Manchester they just put your bag with everyone else's in no order at all
Bet they won't make that mistake again.
They do need to allow for a big space to sort out that many bags. I think Liverpool marathon used an empty car park to have them all sorted out.
Cougie- They were a different design from London, the string at London was at the top of the bag which you could pull together
The one yesterday was pulled from the bottom to the top which you couldn't tie, only pull tight.
Bad planning there eh ?
I took along my Nike rucksack, took over an hour to find it. Never been so cold in my life, thought i was gonna collapse in the tent, finally found my bag with the number tag gone, covered in mud and opened outside the tent. Nothing was missing and other than a squashed Double Decker choccy bar nothing was broken either.
My friends spent the entire time looking for me and even went into the medical tent to see if i was in there.
Would like to know what happened to the Army guys who took my bag when i first got there??
I was told by a marshall that they had been sworn at by some understandably miffed runners and the commanding officer decided that this was unacceptable (which it is) and took the decision to take them off the site.
As this is only second hand I am not able to confirm if that is the truth but it seemd a reasonable explaination when told to me.
I'm glad everything worked out OK for you and your black bag (and that seems your main concern in the whole shambles as well) but others wern't so lucky.
As for not leaving valuables. No option and never had an issue in the 000's of races I've done. Left the rembrandt at home though NW