Lacy to Participate in Boston Marathon

There’s normally around 30,000 participants in the world-famous Boston Marathon, but behind the scenes a team of over 10,000 volunteers work to make sure the race goes off as planned, and to account for any possible scenario during the event.

Selected as a volunteer for the 128th Boston Marathon in April of this year, Matt Lacy joins a team of amateur radio operators from across the Northeast to provide reliable communications between the starting area, the finish line, and checkpoints the length of the 26.2 mile course. Operators work with race organizers to relay information to Marathon staff located at any point along the course.

“Every operator has a purpose,” says Lacy. “Messages and other important data can be shared between any points on the course to ensure a direct, precise response.” The nature of the work performed gives amateur radio operators a chance to see and experience things not normally part of a traditional spectator’s day.

Volunteers assist with coordinating starting activities, communicating medical emergencies along the course, act as navigators for the transportation network of stranded runners, and help to secure the finish line and keep Marathon officials in ready communication with others, so that these officials can perform their primary jobs.

The framework provided by the amateur radio network proved invaluable during the aftermath of the 2013 Boston Marathon, where emergency communications were able to be routed in areas in blackout from traditional radio, phone, or internet service. The work of radio operators along the length of the course saved many lives that day.

Amateur radio operators are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission after passing a multiple-choice test on basic radio and regulatory topics. Public service operating events and emergency communications are two cornerstones for ham radio, with the Marathon being one of the largest coordinated volunteer efforts in the hobby.

For more information about amateur radio in Schoharie County, plus information about the emergency service, public service, and STEM/academic components of the hobby, please visit the Schoharie County Amateur Radio Association online at http://schoharieamateurradio.org, contact Club President John Knoebel at kc2rmd@yahoo.com, or attend an Association meeting on the 2nd Thursday of the month at the Schoharie Fire Department on Fort Rd.