Baltimore Half Marathon
Baltimore, Maryland
Saturday, October 10, 2009

Five minutes before 7500 competitors started the Baltimore Half Marathon in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, October 10, 2009; a light rain began to fall. The drizzle continued on and off for the duration of the event which had 20000 entries in the marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, and 5K. The temperature remained around 65 degrees and there was a light wind. Water/Gatorade stations were located approximately every two miles; however, there were not enough volunteers and tables to keep up with the demand of the competitors for liquid. The course was hilly, but had no challenging hills. Intersections were controlled by from one to four police officers which meant that there was more than two hundred on duty. At least half the course went through the ghetto where at least half the buildings were boarded and unoccupied. The people living along the route cheered enthusiastically from the windows of their residences and the sidewalks in front of their residences even though the light rain continued intermittently. There was quite an economic and racial contrast between the competitors and the spectators where for a few hours everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. I know I did.