NYC Marathon Vest Policy

Hey Guys! I’ve posted in the NYC marathon support FB group and got differing answers so I wanted to check here!

The vest i’ve trained with the last five months is a camel back that looks like the picture attached, so it’s a backpack cross kind of, but looks like a vest in the front. Now i understand that i cannot have the bladder in it for the race which is fine i’ll deal with that w the fluids handed on course HOWEVER all my items that ill need including those for the 2 hour wait in the village have a home in my vest (and it’s also my safety blanket lol), and some people are saying since it is a camelbak it cannot be used bc of the back compartments counting as a backpack which is prohibited EVEN with the bladder removed.

Either I go out and get a new vest a week before which sounds like a horrible idea imo or i can wear this without the bladder. Can’t lie this small detail is giving me some anxiety LOL. I really like the vest bc of how much it can hold and how I can easily organize it, so changing to a belt isn’t really an option for me rn.

If anyone has any thoughts or they are running with a vest lmk! I will also contact nyrr to be sure.

Also side note I have $300 left to raise for my charity Liberation Programs A CT based non-profit that treats individuals with substance use and mental health challenges regardless of their ability to pay knocking down a MASSIVE barrier to care everyone deserves! If you’d like to donate the link is below🫶🏻