Changed course a loss for residents, runners

For 26 years, the July 4 Fifth Season run has been a unique road race because it ran through the neighborhoods of Cedar Rapids. People who were not runners had been able to participate because the runners came right by our homes. Neighbors got together to share breakfast, decorate yards, put out sprinklers and man water stations. Most important, even though we were not runners, we were able to participate in this holiday event. Year after year, we stood in our yards waving flags and cheering on friends, family and strangers.

This year, however, Alliant Energy and the Cedar Valley Running Association have decided to thumb their noses at all of us.

They have moved the race way out to Otis Road, essentially removing anyone who is not a runner from being a part of this 26-year-old tradition. How sad for all of us to lose this traditional event, but also how sad for the runners who no longer will have anyone along this isolated route to cheer them on. The Fifth Season race is now just another routine road race, being held only for the benefit of the CRVA and the runners.

Margaret E. Hannon

Cedar Rapids