LOCAL RUNNING
Oakland marathon 2011

With almost 7,300 runners registered, the second annual Oakland Running Festival was a huge success. The field represented people from 39 states and seven countries. The festival race weekend included a twilight 5K on Saturday, March 26, and a kids' fun run, relay, half-marathon and full marathon on Sunday, March 27. Many doubted that an event such as this could be successful or that it could grow after its inaugural year.

Well, those people were wrong.

I was fortunate enough to run the half-marathon for the second year in a row, and this event continues to highlight some of the things that make Oakland such a great place to live. Starting off the day was newly elected Mayor Jean Quan, who came by at 7:30 a.m. to send the marathoners off with encouraging words, and then again at 9 a.m. to support the half-marathoners.

Nothing could provide more encouragement or smiles than seeing the end of the kids' fun run. Scores of children, from toddlers to tweens, some solo and some with parents on hand, sprinted or strolled down Broadway to the finish line at 14th Street. Some of these champions were grinning from ear to ear, while others hit the finish line with tears running down their faces and temper tantrums looming.

I sympathized with those runners, especially because I knew that a few hours later I'd be feeling the same way.

With all the rain that the Bay Area had seen for the previous two weeks, the race day had the potential to be gray and wet. But the running gods were smiling on us all March 27, because it was a sunny, gorgeous day.

We started in downtown Oakland in front of City Hall and traveled through west Oakland, Jack London Square and around Lake Merritt, with memorable moments throughout. The friendly folks outside of Brown Sugar Kitchen in west Oakland, for example, played dance-hall reggae and handed out snacks to the runners. For the second year in a row, runners were treated to a Japanese taiko troupe playing in front of Laney College, and an arch of fire in front of the Crucible (complete with the "I ran through fire" sticker for the participants).

The A's booster group and Raiders fans in every shade of Silver and Black presented runners with a glimpse of the more serious sports fans that call Oakland home. Countless Oakland residents came out to cheer for us, including a woman on Mandela Parkway who gave out high fives to everyone who wanted them while chanting "Westside! Oakland!" I couldn't have picked a more supportive running environment. And the post-race massage courtesy of Innersport was the perfect end to a truly perfect day.

Aside from being a huge financial success for the city (the Regional Economic Studies Institute estimates that runners and their friends spent more than $3 million at city stores, restaurants, transit agencies and entertainment venues during the Oakland Running Festival weekend), the races also showcased the city to many who otherwise might not come to Oakland.

The festival was a huge success and it is clear that many people were involved in that effort. From the staff at Corrigan Sports to the the Police and Fire departments, medical staff and city services, as well as the 750 volunteers, this event was truly a collaboration. As an Oakland resident, I couldn't be more proud to participate in this event that showcases all the diverse neighborhoods and people of Oakland. Here's looking forward to next year!