From an
SFGate article on the upcoming 2010 Oakland Marathon — the first marathon in Oakland in more than 25 years:
News of the marathon is beginning to make its way through local online groups of long-distance runners, university track programs and personal trainers.
"Is it going to go through the city's better neighborhoods, or are we going to need a police escort for part of the way?" asked Debbie Falls, a veteran of more than 40 marathons over the years and owner of Fleet Feet, an athletic shoe store in Pleasanton.
No, madam, it's going to go through ALL THE WORST NEIGHBORHOODS IN OAKLAND, straight up International Boulevard. Welcome to the shady 80s! Now passing through the lovely dirty thirties! Watch out for the homeless people camped near the 11th Street underpass — they're scary! Better run quick, or the gangstas and thugs will get you!
Bah.
I love my post-
industrial hellhole.
Poor Ms. Falls, having to run through awful, dirty, dangerous Oakland. Maybe
this is the problem. Ya think?
Just out of curiosity, has the route been announced. If what I have read is correct, the New York City Marathon passes through neighborhoods of vast wealth disparity, and there is a heavy police presence in all of them, as one might expect any time a crowd gathers in an urban area. I doubt Ms. Falls has anything to worry about.
Let's all show up at her shop wearing our I Hella (heart) Oakland t-shirts (I have two in case one is dirty) and talk to her about what a wonderful, diverse, vibrant place Oakland is. I'll volunteer to drive. I lived there happily for nearly seven years, play games there weekly, and would happily live there again if I didn't happen to be happily living right next door in Alameda. And I'm an upper-middle-class educated Caucasian. I love busting stereotypes.
Good grief.
I will admit I try not to walk through the area around the 80s right between 580/880, but in the middle of the day with a huge crowd of participants around you? It isn't exactly the fifth circle of hell.
I might try and arrange a sideshow along the route during the marathon just to add some authenticity to the whole experience for people.