Running Numbers

A scholarly look at the digits that matter.

by Nick Norlen

Running Numbers recaps a not-so-lazy Sunday. The "extra hour of sleep" was little consolation for waking up at 5:45.

3,000 Minimum number of participants, as estimated by organizers, at the Brain Tumor Society's annual Race for Hope 5K Run and Walk, where I triumphantly crossed the finish line in exactly 1:15:00. Congratulations to Team MartDogg for raising the winning total of $25,423. If you think that's charitable, keep in mind that the 3,000 racers opted not to trample the Cowboy-jerseyed couple tooling around the Rocky Statue. Unfortunately we all had to witness essentially the same scene later that night.

$2.50 Amount I paid to enter the Art Museum after the race, as it was pay-what-you-wish-all-day Sunday. Though the fee was only for about 20 minutes of browsing, my thirst for the sublime was quenched about 10 seconds in when a 9-year-old dropped this stumper on his dad: "Why's everything about God here?" I'd pay more than $2.50 to see an exhibit with that title.

27 Number of years the Delaware Valley chapter members of the Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education have been riding their motorcycles to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in the "For the Kids" Toy Run. With estimates of more than 100,000 riders in past years, the so-called "America's Largest Rolling Toy Run" took to the blocked-off streets around noon with just two rules: no stuffed animals and no Santa suits. From where I was standing, though, some of the bikers came close to breaking both on appearance alone.

3 Number of languages in which I know the term for bacon. This knowledge helped me to correctly identify the Cashel Blue and Rasher Burger as the menu item at Tir Na Nog that would best soothe my tired limbs. The $10.95 I paid for it was far more worth it than the $12 I had forked over that morning for a round-trip regional rail ticket. And until SEPTA gives me Angus beef, blue cheese and bacon with my commute, I won't feel like I'm getting my money's worth.

4,000 Number of people, as estimated by commentator Al Michaels, who were left in the stadium at the Eagles game against Dallas late in the fourth quarter. If the deserters were lucky, they got home in time to catch a John Madden gem that rivaled the museum kid for quote of the day: "Andy Reid has always been a pretty aggressive play caller." I know you're out of touch with reality, John, but Andy Reid is the George Will of play calling.

Can I get your digits? I want to hear about the numerals you need to see. Let a number-runner know at runningnumbers@gmail.com. Can't live without your weekly numberology? Bookmark Running Numbers: www.citypaper.net/runningnumbers.