Runners frustrated with three-hour wait at Manchester’s post-marathon bag check

@MENnewsdesk @Marathon_Mcr the ever-winding bag queue (and we're at the front) #manchestermarathon pic.twitter.com/xpFwxkwwNu

— Becky Parkinson (@Beckinson) April 10, 2016

Runners at the Greater Manchester Marathon were faced with another challenge after crossing the finish line at the April 10 event in Britain: getting their checked bags.

According to Manchester Evening News, runners were forced to wait up to three hours to receive their gear, which gets checked before the start of the race and retrieved at the finish line.

More than 15,000 runners took to the streets of Manchester on Sunday morning in what was the 40th anniversary of the event. Long lines formed in the finish line chute as runners waited to gather their personal belongings. Most races have a baggage check so runners don’t have to carry personal items for the entire 42.2K.

Manchester is located approximately 350 kilometres northwest of London.

In a race statement, organizers shared the following: “We want to apologize to our runners about the length of time it took to collect their bags and to assure everyone that this will be addressed for 2017. We did increase the number of staff in the baggage collection area as quickly as we could and we handed out foil blankets, water and food to runners where possible.

“We take full responsibility for correction of the system for the 2017 race and want to say a huge thank you to our runners for their patience today and for the support of the Marathon.”

The above statement, which was posted on the event’s Facebook page, has more than 400 comments. One Facebook user noted that the race had two 22-mile (35.5K) markers. The race entry fee was approximately CAD$90.

Many users noted that the race volunteers were supportive and accommodating given the runners’ frustrations following the end of the race. The lack of baggage staff is believed to be the primary source of the extended line-up at bag check.

According to Manchester Evening News, the event had related bag check issues in 2012 when personal items were left in a muddy field near the finish line.

Footage from Sunday’s race finish line area can be seen below (the clip is at faster-than-normal speed):

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