Organizers of the Oakland Running Festival expect some 9,000 runners for the third annual marathon. The big change this year is the start and finish line.
It's been moved from Frank Ogawa Plaza to Snow Park near Lake Merritt to avoid Occupy demonstrators. But the new route this year will take runners past a new Occupy encampment at Mosswood Park.
"I would be surprised if they did anything to disrupt this great event for the city. It's so positive for the city in so many ways. It would probably have a bad reflection on them," said Lee Corrigan, a running festival organizer.
The marathon has generated almost $5 million for Oakland's economy the past two years and $500,000 have also been donated to local charities.
