Albuquerque: Meter Maids Race Turns Wild, Ends in Sidewalk Chaos

Albuquerque: Meter Maids Race Turns Wild, Ends in Sidewalk ChaosAlbuquerque: Meter Maids Race Turns Wild, Ends in Sidewalk Chaos Albuquerque’s annual Meter Maids Race descended into chaos on Saturday afternoon, as a swarm of costumed participants collided with a crowd of spectators, injuring several people and sending debris flying onto the sidewalk. The race, which typically draws hundreds of runners dressed as meter maids, was being held in downtown Albuquerque when the incident occurred. According to witnesses, a large group of runners suddenly veered off the designated course, causing a pileup of bodies and costumes. “It was like a human pinball machine,” said Emily Carter, a bystander. “Runners were flying everywhere, and people were getting tossed onto the sidewalk.” As the pileup grew, spectators surged forward to help, but their efforts were met with resistance from some of the runners, who were still in their full costume regalia. “They were so disoriented, they didn’t know what was going on,” said paramedic Mike Rodriguez. “Some of them were still trying to run with broken bones.” The chaos lasted for several minutes before police and emergency crews could clear the scene. In total, over a dozen people were treated for injuries, ranging from minor cuts and bruises to broken bones. The sidewalk where the pileup occurred was littered with discarded costumes, sunglasses, and even a meter maid hat. Police are investigating the cause of the incident, which some witnesses have attributed to a lack of crowd control and barriers. Despite the injuries, the Meter Maids Race has been a popular Albuquerque tradition for over 40 years. However, after this weekend’s incident, city officials are considering implementing new safety measures to prevent future chaos. “We love the Meter Maids Race, but we want to make sure it’s safe for everyone involved,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We’re going to review the incident and work with organizers to make the race better than ever.”