This letter is in response to Ted A. Ritter’s recent letter to the editor pertaining to the Rotary Run.

We appreciate your comments. The Rotary Club is always interested in improving this annual event. As to your concern about the road markings, I have been told by our race chairman Dawn Naye that we do not use the wash away chalk on the roads because the lines must be placed on Friday night and would wash away if it rained Saturday or Sunday. We will look into the possibility of other means of marking the course next year. We have made many changes through the years to facilitate the runner and the community. We do the very best we can to leave the Island cleaner than we found it. We realize that there are inconveniences the Sunday morning of the race and appreciate the cooperation and support from the runners, car drivers and community.

Our event is considered the best half marathon in the northwest and has consistently had 4,000 runners. It takes over 300 volunteers the day of the race and months of planning.

Our main goal is to put on a community event that will be enjoyed by the runners, spectators, Islanders and Island businesses while raising money for colon cancer awareness, polio eradication, Mercer Island Youth and Family Services and other charities. All the profits go to charities.

Once again thank you for your concern for our community and I would like to invite you to one of our Rotary Club meeting as my guest. We meet every Tuesday at noon at the Community center.

Dr. Bob Lewis