Rainy Marathon

As we neared the finish line in Sunday’s L.A. Marathon bike tour, Brooke, my granddaughter, told me, “Papa, I’ve never been so tired, cold and miserable in my life--but, you know what? I wouldn’t have missed this for the whole world.”

The kid was right. It was my fifth trip north to take part in the marathon. The first four times were to run it. This time I settled for the bicycle ride.

You Angelenos were at your best on the worst day of the year. Congratulations. And thanks again, especially to those of you who got up early to stand in the rain and wave at us as we rode by.

KEITH TAYLOR

Chula Vista

*

As one of the many runners who were forced to seek medical help during Sunday’s cold and raining L.A. Marathon, I was shocked by the lack of proper medical support. The medical support areas were not only rare but were completely lacking in trained medical personnel and supplies. The untrained volunteers were as helpful as they could be, but they were not even provided with a way to call for help.

Worst of all, the buses and vans that would normally pick up runners unable to continue were canceled early in the race. This forced athletes with potentially life-threatening hypothermia and other medical problems to walk for hours in the rain in an attempt to get back to the start/finish area.

CRAIG GODWIN

Oxnard

*

As a legacy runner I have seen many things in the past 15 events. I have never been more moved than by the actions of the volunteers and spectators Sunday. They stood in the very cold rain and wind for hour upon hour with no reward other than their personal one of helping someone else achieve a goal. God bless them all. Thank you.

SCOTT CLINE

Monterey Park

*

The Metro Red Line served the spouses and friends of runners well on Sunday. Despite the rain, perhaps because of it, a camaraderie developed among the riders as we met our runners at various points along the way.

Stations on Figueroa, Western, Hollywood, Vermont and Alvarado allowed us to shout our encouragement throughout the marathon route, unencumbered by cars, traffic and road closures.

ROBERT S. MAC TAVISH

Los Angeles