I served as an enumerator in the 2010 census.  We were instructed to ask the question exactly as they appeared on the forms, not to explain or interpret them or challenge the answers of the respondents in any way – just write down exactly what they stated.

So I visited one respondent at his home and he was an African American.  We proceeded to ask all the questions and record all the answers.  The we got to the “RACE QUESTION”.  The gentleman responded “MARATHON!  I AM IN IT FOR THE LONG RUN”.  I believe this is the best answer I have ever heard.