Run Long Beach October 9, 2011
The Long Beach International City Bank Marathon & Half Marathon Celebrates its 27th Year as Southern California’s Fun and Scenic Marathon
One of Southern California’s most fun – and certainly scenic – events takes place with the 27th running of the Long Beach International City Bank Marathon & Half Marathon, Sunday, Oct. 9.
Approximately 25,000 runners are expected to participate in the full marathon, half marathon, 26.2 Bike Tour and Bubba Gump Run Forrest Run 5K. The Aquarium of the Pacific Kids One-Mile Fun Run will take place on Saturday, Oct. 8, and is free for up to 2,000 children ages 6 to 12 years old.
To make the event nationally distinct, the marathon has developed a new art theme and is working to eventually make the Marathon a “26.2 Mile Art Experience.” For 2011, RUN Racing, the marathon organizer, has partnered with the San Diego based non-profit Art Miles to display hundreds of art murals along the course.
The Long Beach course is scenic and has great community support. It starts on Shoreline Drive, continues over the Queensway Bridge, by the Queen Mary, Ocean Blvd. by the Lighthouse, Aquarium, Rainbow Harbor, and down the beach. It includes historic residential neighborhoods, by 2nd Street in Belmont Shore, Marine Stadium, Colorado Lagoon, Blair Field, and through Cal State Long Beach where large groups of students cheer on the runners. The finish is on scenic Shoreline Drive, where everyone celebrates at the Beach Party Finish Line Festival.
All this combined is why the International City Bank Marathon and Half Marathon is known as one of the country’s most enjoyable endurance running events. In 2010 Yolanda Holder broke the world record for running an incredible 106 marathons in one year all over the U.S. When asked which one was most fun, “she said ‘Long Beach!,’ ” according to Joseph Taricani, Show Host for The Marathon Show, a national radio blog. “The Long Beach Marathon should be a destination race for every runner. It’s absolutely one of my top five favorite marathons in America.”
The marathon supports Youth Fitness and has joined forces with the non-profit Aquarium of the Pacific host a free Aquarium of the Pacific One-Mile Kids Fun Run on Saturday, October 8, 2010 from 9 am-noon. Up to 2,000 kids ages 6 to 12 run in the event at no cost. Those participating will each receive a commemorative Octopus Medal, finisher certificate, and free entry to the Aquarium. Kids will be timed and will run in waves with their own age group.
For those that can’t run a full or half marathon, Bubba Gump will host the fun “Run Forrest Run 5K” – in the spirit of “Forrest Gump” the movie. It’s held on Sunday, following the start of the the Marathon “Forrest Gump” himself will be on hand as runners and walkers enjoy a beautiful course around the Pike, Aquarium of the Pacific and Shoreline Village. Afterwards, participants will be treated to Bubba Gump food, activities, entertainment and prizes.
The event kicks off on Friday with the two-day Health & Fitness Expo at the Long Beach Convention Center, Hall C. The Expo features exhibitors and highlights the latest in the running, health and fitness industry. All athletes must attend the Expo to pick up their race packets, and the Expo is also the last place to register for any of the marathon events. It is open Friday, Oct. 7, from noon-7 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 8, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. More than 50,000 people attend this expo, which is open and free to the public. There is no race-day registration or packet pickup.
During and after Sunday’s race, 50,000 people gather on Marina Green for the annual Beach Party Finish Line Festival, which goes from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Friends and family will be cheering and celebrating as finishers achieve their lifetime goals.
Since 2005, the Long Beach International City Bank Marathon has helped charities fundraise over $3.5 million dollars for their good causes. This year, around 30 Official Charities will be conducting pledge drives and will benefit as a result of their relationship with the marathon.
For more information on the Long Beach International City Bank Marathon, please visit WWW.RUNLONGBEACH.COM
About RUN Racing: Led by Olympic Gold Medalist Bob Seagren, RUN Racing specializes exclusively in the development, management and implementation of endurance, health, fitness and special events. RUN Racing events include the OC Marathon held in May; the 9/11 Tunnels to Towers Run at Fairplex in September, the Long Beach International City Bank Marathon held in October; the Dana Point Turkey Trot 10K & 5K held on Thanksgiving Day and the Holiday Half Marathon held in December. “Follow RUN Racing on Twitter for event information (@RUNRacing) and find The Long Beach International City Bank Marathon on Facebook for interactive event information (Long Beach International City Bank Marathon)”
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