What Bigger Story/Stories Does This LB Marathon Course Map Show About Long Beach?

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(Oct. 9, 2015) -- Below is a map showing where the Long Beach Marathon route does and doesn't go. It's that thin yellow line along the coast and into part of East Long Beach.

None of it goes through the historic Zaferia, Cambodia Town, Central Long Beach or Willmore City (birthplace of Long Beach, adjacent to downtown.)

Or up Atlantic Ave. past Poly High, Memorial Hospital and its challenging hills, Cal Hts, Bixby Knolls, the emerging northtown Library to Houghton Park. (Mapquest.com says the Atlantic route is about 6.6 miles each way.)

Or into West Long Beach neighborhoods, impacted by cargo operations visible near the Queen Mary.

It mainly hugs a tiny coastal sliver of the city, before heading into part of southeast and East Long Beach and then doubling-back on itself, something the L.A. Marathon doesn't do.

Yes, it's flatter and cooler near the coast, and those issues are important to runners. But do you think the map shows anything else? If so, what? Let us know via Facebook or Disqus below. Thoughtful responses appreciated.

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Red Xs=2014 and 2015 murders to date; Blue Xs=2014 and 2015 shootings, person wounded; Brown Xs=shots fired at victim(s), not hit; Purple Xs=2014 shots at occupied residence/vehicle; Green Xs= 2014 and 2015 shots at unoccupied vehicle/residence; Grey Xs=shots fired (no hit, no target identified); Orange X's=non-fatal stabbings. Map is unofficial.

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