Just a quick quip about the deaths in the Army 10-Miler and the Chicago Marathon, both of which were run in less-than-ideal heat and humidity:

There is no excuse for poor planning and organization in a race that charges an entry fee.

I’ve been at many organized cycling events that charge entry fees. And not a single one has ever skimped on essentials – water, food and other kinds of support – when the weather has been extreme. The planners of both running events should have been thinking on their feet and done something to make things right.

If you charge an entry fee for your event, participants should expect the organizers to have adequate food, water and medical supplies – end of story.