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Running & Politics Converge Again: A Gerrymandered 5K Course

By Paul Snyder

October 19, 2017

As the United States Supreme Court continues the long, drawn-out, and extremely confusing process of hearing Gill v. Whitford–a case about Wisconsin’s notorious gerrymandering problem–the American people are making up for lost time and beginning to research and actually care about this rather important issue. A decision reached in this case could have national ramifications ahead of the upcoming 2020 census and subsequent redistricting, so it’s only natural people’s interests are piqued.

With that in mind, kudos to one particular nonpartisan political organization, on crafting the most tangible display of gerrymandering-awareness-raising we’ve probably ever seen.

The League of Women Voters of Asheville-Buncombe County in has plotted a 5K fun run route along the jagged boundary between North Carolina’s 10th and 11th congressional districts. The race is set to take place on November 4th, so if you’re a Western N.C. resident opposed to your largely Democratic-leaning metropolitan area being represented by two Republicans, register for what promises to be a course full of unnatural twists and turns.

(North Carolina Republicans–who are best known for their obsession with bathrooms, and whose apparent single focus of legislative attention reflects that–have been chided in the past by federal courts for unconstitutionally redrawing districts, seemingly to limit the political power of historically Black regions of the state.)

A gerrymandered 5k course? You really can’t make this stuff up, as running and politics continue to converge, along with every other imaginable topic, into what we can only hope is a world-ending singularity.

Paul Snyder

Meme-disparager, avid jogger, MS Paint artist, friend of Scott Olberding, Citius Mag staff writer based in Flagstaff. Supplying baseless opinions, lukewarm takes, and vaguely running-related content. Once witnessed televison's Michael Rapaport cut a line of 30 people to get a slice of pizza at John's on Bleeker at 4am. You can follow Paul on Twitter at @DanielDingus.