Letters: Why we run

Re “Two sought in Boston blasts,” April 18

The Boston Marathon bombing is the very worst of what makes us human. It’s a reminder that we’re not far removed from our closest cousins, the sometimes savage common chimpanzee.

In contrast, the world of organized running races embodies many great things about humanity, beginning with cooperation and generosity. People come from around the world to share a day of personal empowerment, make a statement about a cause they support, raise money for charities, celebrate their cancer recovery or simply challenge themselves physically and mentally.

At every event you can look out across the sea of runners and marvel at the diverse group of excited participants eager for the challenge. But there are no religions, no tribes, no ethnicities, no ages, no rich, no poor. We are one: undivided and united in our goal — to finish the race — sometimes as competitors, but often arm in arm as friends.

Consider what might have been if the perpetrators had entered the Boston Marathon as

participants — what they might have done by joining the rest of us in the human race. Our world needs more Boston marathons that strengthen us personally and communally.

Sparky Greene

Malibu

The writer is co-director of the Tough Topanga 10K.

Whatever goals the terrorists might have had, what they accomplished is that innocents were murdered or injured. In response, the United States came together as a nation with renewed strength, unity, courage and hope for a better future.

If the goal was to place a cloud of hopelessness and fear over this nation, the attack was an utter failure. My hope is that others of a like mind will take notice.

Robert Gotham

Los Angeles

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