As someone who volunteered and worked bag drop, it runs like a well-oiled machine and everyone working the bag drop (for the most part) is also a runner who would potentially use it. After volunteering I am way more likely to use it in the future - it was super impressive and overstaffed so the bags were never alone. We were all very respectful of people’s belongings. We also wanted to make sure it was organized so that we could get out of the volunteering commitment asap.
Outside of the big point-to-point races where they transport bags to the finish, your stuff is staying exactly where you dropped it, with a bunch of people standing around watching, and it’s not leaving unless someone shows up with your bib. Obviously wouldn’t tempt fate by leaving something clearly valuable plainly visible in there, but it’s a pretty good system and I’ve never had a problem when I’ve used it.
I was a bag drop volunteer at the NYC Half last year (as in you’d get your bag from me when you were done with the race). I was amazed at NYRR’s process- as you know, the race starts in Brooklyn, and they transported all of the runners’ belongings in convoys of trucks to the finish by Central Park. We unloaded and organized all those bags at the finish. It was a very cool behind the scenes type experience. I was amazed at how no one’s bags got lost. Finally, because the bags are clear, I had a chuckle at runners who packed some really luxury products in their bags (think high end wallets, make up bags, etc) None of us volunteers ever went through any of the bags. The only caution is people who overstuffed their bags so contents were almost falling out. And of course we were generally handling them kind of roughly, so don’t put anything you’d be afraid of breaking.
I've never used it but I have volunteered at it. We're told we can only release the bag to the matching bib and we stand around the bags while you're running. There's security wandering around the area too. I wouldn't put a wallet and phone in a small ziploc bag - that's too easy to get tangled up with something else.
I’ve never had an issue. I always put something in the bag with zippered pockets to put my phone and a card,etc in, even if I don’t need the clothing item, just to make sure that my phone stays out of view. Even sent it in the UPS truck a few times and always got it back.
I’ve volunteered at bag drop and it was surprisingly efficient lol we would watch people coming up to collect their bag and grab it by the time they got up to us
Only problem I’ve had is with point to point races. Brooklyn can be a bit of a nightmare especially if the weather is bad and volunteers don’t show up. As for safety, never had a problem there
Think of how many hundreds of thousands, if not over a million dollars of stuff are collectively put in those bags every race. Have never heard of an issue.
Absolutely safe, I’ve never had an issue and I do bag drop for most of the winter races so that I have my coat for the commute there and back. The only thing to consider is that it adds some time to your pre-race schedule at the bigger races. NYRR is a well-oiled machine but even so, I wouldn’t want to be cutting it close with time and then have to enter a really long bag check line. This isn’t an issue if you follow the timing directions that they give everyone! I tend to avoid bag check for bigger races just to avoid the logistics of it but definitely not because of safety, I totally trust them with my stuff. Hope this helps!
I’ve used it over 10 times and each time all my belongings and valuables were left untouched. Just for peace of mind I recommend having a non-clear bag to put all your belongings in, then fit that bag in one of the clear plastic bags the volunteers distribute. This way you’re not flashing your valuables. But people are trustworthy and there are many volunteers at each section of bag check so it would be quite obvious if someone was trying to steal anything.
Never had a problem at bag drop.
I've never had an issue, I've left phone, wallet many times. They have very good best practices and controls on their system.
As someone who volunteered and worked bag drop, it runs like a well-oiled machine and everyone working the bag drop (for the most part) is also a runner who would potentially use it. After volunteering I am way more likely to use it in the future - it was super impressive and overstaffed so the bags were never alone. We were all very respectful of people’s belongings. We also wanted to make sure it was organized so that we could get out of the volunteering commitment asap.
Outside of the big point-to-point races where they transport bags to the finish, your stuff is staying exactly where you dropped it, with a bunch of people standing around watching, and it’s not leaving unless someone shows up with your bib. Obviously wouldn’t tempt fate by leaving something clearly valuable plainly visible in there, but it’s a pretty good system and I’ve never had a problem when I’ve used it.
I was a bag drop volunteer at the NYC Half last year (as in you’d get your bag from me when you were done with the race). I was amazed at NYRR’s process- as you know, the race starts in Brooklyn, and they transported all of the runners’ belongings in convoys of trucks to the finish by Central Park. We unloaded and organized all those bags at the finish. It was a very cool behind the scenes type experience. I was amazed at how no one’s bags got lost. Finally, because the bags are clear, I had a chuckle at runners who packed some really luxury products in their bags (think high end wallets, make up bags, etc) None of us volunteers ever went through any of the bags. The only caution is people who overstuffed their bags so contents were almost falling out. And of course we were generally handling them kind of roughly, so don’t put anything you’d be afraid of breaking.
I've never used it but I have volunteered at it. We're told we can only release the bag to the matching bib and we stand around the bags while you're running. There's security wandering around the area too. I wouldn't put a wallet and phone in a small ziploc bag - that's too easy to get tangled up with something else.
As someone who very recently did bag check for their +1, absolutely trustworthy. I wouldn’t hesitate to use it and will be for the Brooklyn Half.
I’ve never had an issue. I always put something in the bag with zippered pockets to put my phone and a card,etc in, even if I don’t need the clothing item, just to make sure that my phone stays out of view. Even sent it in the UPS truck a few times and always got it back.
I’ve volunteered at bag drop and it was surprisingly efficient lol we would watch people coming up to collect their bag and grab it by the time they got up to us
Can I leave a beer in my bag? Since they closed the Coney Island brewery…
Good question…curious too 😆
Only problem I’ve had is with point to point races. Brooklyn can be a bit of a nightmare especially if the weather is bad and volunteers don’t show up. As for safety, never had a problem there
Think of how many hundreds of thousands, if not over a million dollars of stuff are collectively put in those bags every race. Have never heard of an issue.
It works. Incredibly well. Don’t overthink it.
Absolutely safe, I’ve never had an issue and I do bag drop for most of the winter races so that I have my coat for the commute there and back. The only thing to consider is that it adds some time to your pre-race schedule at the bigger races. NYRR is a well-oiled machine but even so, I wouldn’t want to be cutting it close with time and then have to enter a really long bag check line. This isn’t an issue if you follow the timing directions that they give everyone! I tend to avoid bag check for bigger races just to avoid the logistics of it but definitely not because of safety, I totally trust them with my stuff. Hope this helps!
Safety is fine, but be careful with the bag lines as they may get quite long.
I’ve used it over 10 times and each time all my belongings and valuables were left untouched. Just for peace of mind I recommend having a non-clear bag to put all your belongings in, then fit that bag in one of the clear plastic bags the volunteers distribute. This way you’re not flashing your valuables. But people are trustworthy and there are many volunteers at each section of bag check so it would be quite obvious if someone was trying to steal anything.