The course is a loop which stops and starts next to a big parking lot for our city's biggest mall. The parking lot has plenty of area closed off for participants and spectators, plus it has displays and a band -- They're not hurting for space in the parking lot. The people walking back are mostly walking in front yards of private homes. They're walking away from their cars, space to stretch, etc. The only thing they're walking towards is a few more trees, but there are still some trees and some shade in the parking lot, and it's early in the morning when it's fairly cool.

I looked at this year's route map and it's completely different, so I wouldn't be surprised if property owners complained about all of the walking in their yards. They might have even gotten complaints about what I'm mentioning, too. I guess it's hard to picture it all if you haven't seen it.