Little more decorum from run spectators

Now that it is springtime, it's also 5K/6K/10K run time as well.

I would like to ask a favor to the sponsors of these runs. When you have supporters along the routes of your runs encourage participants along, could you please have them not cheer as though they're watching from the sidelines of the Boston Marathon, especially when the routes involve snaking through residential areas.

Last September, a 5K run route, sponsored by a local church, went right past my home. The morning was cool and I had my window open to my bedroom. I work very late into the night, so I usually sleep from about 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. At 8 a.m., two boys began screaming and cheering at the top of their lungs. When I confronted the boys, a police officer defended them, stating the boys weren't violating any noise ordinances.

Another officer showed up and asked me what the difference between the cheering and a lawn mower was. I stated that working a lawn mower or other "job" device is usually white noise (a constant sound that is easy for the brain to adapt to), and besides, doing a job and choosing to scream are two different situations altogether.

Did the officers not consider that it wasn't easy for me to pick up my house and move away from the boys, but it would be infinitely easier to exercise common courtesy and move the boys closer to downtown where the noise would be more acceptable.

Julie Moskal

Glen Ellyn