What Running Taught Me About the Soul of Our Cities

Baltimore Marathon 2022

It’s been a while since I’ve felt like writing, but here we go.

I want to build a small bridge between my love of running and my professional life in this piece.

I work full-time for a national nonprofit with a simple but difficult mission: to end homelessness in this country. Last month, the current administration took an aggressive stance on the issue. The President singled out several cities by name, describing them as despicable, crime-ridden places that needed to be “cleaned up.”

Let me be clear about something. My work centers on speaking to the media and the public about how to effectively, safely, and humanely end homelessness. The solutions are not complicated: affordable housing, fair wages, and access to resources such as mental health care and addiction treatment. What does not solve homelessness is arresting people, restricting access to services, or using punitive tactics that make survival impossible.

But I want to focus on something else the President said—that some of our biggest cities are dangerous, broken places. Here’s where the running part comes in.

I’ve been fortunate enough to run through many of the cities he criticized—Baltimore, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C. And I can confidently say: he’s wrong. Every city has its challenges, yes. They all need stronger housing policies and better safety nets for vulnerable residents. But what his description misses is the soul of these places.

There’s something magical about running down the streets of Chicago, San Francisco, or Baltimore. You feel the energy, the history, the uniqueness in every block. During races, I’ve witnessed the pride and joy of spectators and volunteers—people who show up to cheer, to serve water, to represent their communities at their very best.

Running lets you discover a city in a way no car or tourist map ever could. You notice small details—houses, murals, restaurants, neighborhoods—that would otherwise go unseen. On foot, you can take detours, explore a new block, follow your instincts. And yes, you also see the challenges: poverty, inequities, people struggling to get by. But from my work, I know those struggles don’t erase the true beauty of a city.

In San Francisco, the Golden Gate stands proudly above the Bay. In Chicago, the skyline tells the story of some of America’s finest architecture. In Baltimore, the harbor sparkles with its own kind of resilience. And everywhere I’ve run, I’ve felt the passion of people who love their hometowns. Their pride is undeniable.

So when I hear these cities’ names, I don’t picture the dystopian places described on TV. I remember the streets I’ve run, the communities I’ve witnessed, the warmth I’ve felt.

We’re living in a moment when Americans are drifting further apart, too often trapped in our own bubbles. So here’s my invitation: if you find yourself in one of these cities that the President claims needs to be “cleaned up,” lace up your running shoes. Go for a run. Explore. See for yourself the beauty that gets lost in political rhetoric and nightly news soundbites.

As for me, my next two marathons are in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles. I’m grateful for the chance to celebrate these cities the way I know them—beautiful reflections of this country, flaws and all.

Running in the streets of DC during the Marine Corps Marathon.