Bright Day in the City

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES —

Other than the overall winning time of 2:29:09 by Russia’s Tatiana Aryasova, the biggest hit of the Los Angeles Marathon may have been Glassell California’s Jesse Montes. Jesse’s crowd appeal didn’t come from his clock time of 03:19:52, but that he ran the course dressed as Zorro.

An event that provides such a test of personal skills is filled with great moments. One might see the runner who held his arms in victory and pointed straight ahead when he saw the skyline. Or perhaps one heard the cheering when the LAPD Swat Team ran by with a torch in memory of Randy Simmons. Maybe that touching moment was just seeing one runner help another make it to the next turn.

Whatever the moment was (if you were able to get out of your Downtown Residence) it was a sight to see the world run past growing developments, industrial land, or skid row. For a day, it gave a the streets that Downtowners see all year a new look. For the runners, and some Angelenos, the marathon provides a first look at Downtown.

And during yesterday’s marathon, the city looked awfully good.

Many more photos in a flickr set.