Marathon Provides a Unique Opportunity

Why do I love the L.A. Marathon?

1. Although I can shoot hoops in my backyard, I am unlikely ever to get invited onto a court with Kareem or Magic. But in the L.A. Marathon, I get to line up and take my best shot at Simon Bor--who turned in probably one of the top 10 marathon performances since Pheidippides last Sunday.

2. Although I can shoot hoops in my backyard, I am unlikely to persuade anyone to sit on the sidelines and cheer for me to do the job. But in the L.A. Marathon, for three and five and seven hours, hundreds of thousands line the streets and cheer their lungs out. For me.

3. Although I can go to the Forum to see a Laker game, I will cheer there for one team and against the other. But in the L.A. Marathon, everybody is cheering for everybody. To succeed.

TAD DALEY, Los Angeles