L.A. Marathon

Re “L.A. Marathon hits the wall,” Opinion, Nov. 26

I am writing to clarify some important issues about the Los Angeles Marathon in Tina Dupuy’s Opinion article. Her main premise is that the Los Angeles Marathon should not take place on Memorial Day as currently planned. I agree, but her criticism of the new owner of the marathon is misdirected.

Let me be clear: The decision to move the marathon to a holiday Monday was made by the Los Angeles City Council, not by Frank McCourt and his marathon team.

When we on the City Council took up the issue of the date change, council member Janice Hahn and I pushed to keep the event on a Sunday. We did so in opposition to those who strongly urged my council colleagues to move the event to a Monday. It is important to remember that not every runner can participate on every holiday.

My intention is to bring this issue back before the City Council so that we may hear from all stakeholders in the marathon.

Great cities have great marathons, and L.A. is fortunate that this new ownership team has emerged to take over an event that I believe had lost its way. I have been greatly impressed by the new ownership team and its commitment to making the Los Angeles Marathon as successful as possible, and I believe it will be a renewed source of citywide pride for many years to come.

Tom LaBonge

Los Angeles

The writer is a Los Angeles City Council member representing the 4th District.