Marathon had glitches, but still successful

To the editor:

I am a local physician who ran the full Las Vegas Marathon last Sunday. I enjoyed the positive Review-Journal article last Monday which, I felt, accurately captured the incredible energy of the event. I did personally experience each and every challenge that has since come to light but, nevertheless, I still enjoyed every moment and am grateful to the crowd, volunteers, runners and Rock 'n' Roll organizers who made this such a wildly successful evening.

Yes, the merger of the half and full marathons was sheer chaos (and cost me lots of valuable time). But where else can you run with hordes of Elvi, brides and grooms and a stray rhinoceros?

Yes, it was a bit chilly for a few minutes at the end waiting for blankets and photos. Yes, it took a while to get out of Mandalay Bay and find an open restaurant. But, honestly, I routinely experience much bigger hassles at professional sporting events in most major cities. And I drank water at each and every aid station and had no gastrointestinal symptoms whatsoever, and finally did enjoy some incredible sushi at the Cosmopolitan.

Many thanks to the helpful volunteers, high-energy crowd, friendly runners, Rock 'n' Roll organizers and the city of Las Vegas for a unique, memorable inaugural run. Please retain the night format, but start the half-marathon race two hours after the full marathon.

Craig Morrow

Las Vegas

Bottled water

To the editor:

In response to complaints about the water at last Sunday's Las Vegas Marathon:

Some time ago my son lived on Desert Inn Road, near the Boulevard mall, and the water from his tap was loaded with chlorine and was virtually undrinkable. Eating at a restaurant on Paradise Road recently, I tasted similar foul-tasting water.

So it's possible that if the water from the hydrants given to the marathon racers came from the same water supply, it might have met health standards, but would have a horrible taste. Maybe having a sponsor supplying water bottles would be a better solution.

Richard J. Mundy

Las Vegas

Frightening pattern

To the editor:

Thank you for the excellent series, "Deadly Force." I was in law enforcement for 21 years in Wisconsin as a maximum security prison guard, prison social worker and drug-alcohol counselor, and on-the-street probation and parole agent. At times I had to work very closely with the local and county police officers, including home searches, arrests and detention and transportation of prisoners and clients.

I had nothing but the highest respect for these police officers and the departments they represented.

I moved to Las Vegas in 2002. Almost immediately, I noticed a frightening pattern of police abuse in injuring and killing the citizens of this county. What was more alarming was the fact that in almost 100 percent of this abuse, the police were found to be "justified."

Since 2002, I have been warning all I know (local and tourists) to avoid all contact with the police in Clark County. If they have contact, I tell them to be 100 percent compliant and not challenge the police at any level. Even a negative word could lead to their arrest, detention, injury and even death.

When this type of conduct is allowed and even justified, it affects the entire police force and becomes "standard operating procedure." It is like a cancer that, left unchecked, continues to grow.

Are there good officers out there? Yes. But since you cannot know if you are dealing with a good one or a bad one, you must be suspicious, even afraid of them all. I feel even the good officers are at fault for not reporting, challenging and protesting this type of conduct.

Again, think you for your excellent articles. I hope it will lead to dramatic changes in the police forces of Clark County.

Dennis Seidl

Henderson