The area that the race takes place in is considered one of the most culturally diverse areas in the world! I remember listening to National Public Radio one day and they were taking about a small area of Queens (they have a name for it but I can’t remember it) that is unrivaled for its cultural diversity. It was my neighborhood! We have Mosques, Synagogues, a beautiful Greek Orthodox church, Catholic churches, Baptist Churches. You name the religion and we have it. In the evening, the small park that borders the race looks like a miniature United Nations with all the difference cultures assembled in the playground.
Myself and two other boys are usually at the race site about 4:45 am to start setting up for the race. We set up tables, put the runners gear that is stored in the three vehicles on the appropriate table and prepare the food and water tables. There is usually a small group of Muslim worshipers walking past our race area on their way to the local Mosque for early prayer. On the second day of the race an elderly Muslim gentleman sat in one of our race chair for a short rest. We starting talking and he complained that his leg bothered him and the walk to the Mosque was too much for him. Apparently his son was using the car so he was forced to walk. I offered to drive him. He accepted and I dropped him off. On his was out of the car he said: “God bless you”. I also replied: “God bless you.” That is how our neighborhood is, we all live together. (Photo by Arpan).
