Two days ago I got the flier. Presidential Palace - Final 5K. I thought, this is a must.
I have run a few of the 5k races held here in the International Zone if for no other reason than it seems absolutely the most absurd thing that can be done in the primary target in the middle of a war zone. Perhaps it is American bravado, or simply foolishness.
Maybe it is just me, but it strikes me as so 'downtown America'. Of course the scenery is very different, instead of streets lined with swaying oak trees we have roads boardered by 14ft T-wall barriers topped with razor wire, and this morning, because it was so damn cold, instead of the volunteers handing out water they were handing out hot chocolate. This by the way was a great idea.
The most unusual scene was the spectators. The Peruvian guards who guard the compound were huddled around their burn barrels trying to keep warm. There we were in shorts and t-shirts running the 3.1 mile course while at every checkpoint they stood bundled in winter coats, hats, and balakavas struggling to keep warm. They just looked at us like we were crazy.
This is the last run because the newly signed security agreement hands the International Zone back to the Iraqi Government on Jan 1. So instead of the IZ being what has commonly been called the "Green Zone", it will immediately transform into a "red zone".
Though, I suppose a road race in the red zone may produce some record times.
I think for the "Innauguration 5K", I will hand out hot chocolate.
I have run a few of the 5k races held here in the International Zone if for no other reason than it seems absolutely the most absurd thing that can be done in the primary target in the middle of a war zone. Perhaps it is American bravado, or simply foolishness.
Maybe it is just me, but it strikes me as so 'downtown America'. Of course the scenery is very different, instead of streets lined with swaying oak trees we have roads boardered by 14ft T-wall barriers topped with razor wire, and this morning, because it was so damn cold, instead of the volunteers handing out water they were handing out hot chocolate. This by the way was a great idea.
The most unusual scene was the spectators. The Peruvian guards who guard the compound were huddled around their burn barrels trying to keep warm. There we were in shorts and t-shirts running the 3.1 mile course while at every checkpoint they stood bundled in winter coats, hats, and balakavas struggling to keep warm. They just looked at us like we were crazy.
This is the last run because the newly signed security agreement hands the International Zone back to the Iraqi Government on Jan 1. So instead of the IZ being what has commonly been called the "Green Zone", it will immediately transform into a "red zone".
Though, I suppose a road race in the red zone may produce some record times.
I think for the "Innauguration 5K", I will hand out hot chocolate.
1 comment:
"I suppose a road race in the red zone may produce some record times."
I suppose you're right.
I'm going to send you some marshmallows and marshmallow sticks to give to the Peruvians to roast while standing around their burn barrels. Where will they go when the Green Zone turns red?
Post a Comment