Regarding LAT opinion editor Michael Newman's take that "much of Los Angeles isn't very pretty" and Daily News columnist Mariel Garza's response...

 I was annoyed by the So-Cal Life piece in today's Times and happy to see the retort from Garza, bless her heart. Anyone who didn't find yesterday's marathon to be fantabulous ought to go back to NYC where it is cold and wet and dark and depressing, and make room for those of us who are happy to be here, including the undocumented, tourists, and natives. I thought the new route was wonderful, going from the Valley through South LA and over the bridge, and the weather couldn't have been more perfect. Whiners are welcome to run in Boston or NYC. We really don't need the anti-LA attitude on the editorial page of our main newspaper.

Abby Arnold