Runners hit streets of Long Beach

By Vanessa Stone
Online Forty-Niner
Staff Writer

Marathon runners hit the streets of Long Beach on Sunday to partake in the second oldest and most scenic marathon in Southern California.

The events included a professional and recreational inline skating marathon, a Marathon Bike Tour, a 5K Run/Walk, a half-marathon and a marathon race.

More than 13,000 runners, bikers, in-line skaters and wheelchair athletes came from all over California, the nation and many foreign countries to participate in the Long Beach Marathon, according to Long Beach organizers.

People of all ages, including senior citizens, elementary school children, students from CSULB, USC and UCLA, and moms and dads pushed their infants across the finish line.

With arms in the air, big smiles and screams of accomplishment, participants crossed the finish line with nearly 100,000 spectators cheering.

"When you finish that race it is rewarding because it is not something that everyone has done," said Steve Mackel, senior director of national events for the City of Hope.

Every contestant that finished the marathon, half-marathon and in-line marathon received a medal with free finish-line adjustments and massages for athletes if they desired.

"I did it because it was a good goal and I wanted to do it with my family," said Joanna Olivas, a communications student attending CSULB.

"I smoke and drink all the time, but I still finished," Olivas said, which might make it a little more difficult to continue training for the LA Marathon that she hopes to race in five months.

The event offered something for everyone, except the confused motorists trying to find an alternative route to closed streets.

The 26-mile course began in downtown Long Beach at the waterfront heading east around the landmark pyramid sports center at CSULB and back, causing some of the main streets in Long Beach to be closed. All day it took unaware drivers twice as long to get to their destinations but it allowed for a course that was 80 percent within view of the ocean.

In both the men's and women's divisions the marathon runners seemed to be competing only for themselves, but the first place winners won $1,500.

Averaging five minutes and 40 seconds a mile for 26 miles, the winner of the men's division was Fermin Seguen. He could barely speak English but he managed to utter the words "I feel good."

The winner of the girls division was Amy Skieresz-Wilson, who was ecstatic about her first win in a marathon. The cross-country coach at University of Arizona said her only goal was to finish under three hours and she made it by 15 minutes.

"I went out there conservative and at the half way mark I just picked it up and stayed strong, " Skieresz-Wilson said. "It was a great course and I am extremely happy with my performance."

In addition to the prize money given to the top finishers, organizers at International City Racing decided to give thousands of dollars to participants regardless of where they finished to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Long Beach Marathon.

In an effort to give back to the people who kept this race going for 20 years, the organizers decided not to fly out international racers but to focus on local Southern California runners. This allowed organizers to spend more money on improving the course and the experience for everyone, while adding the unique capability of handing out a total of $20,000 in smaller increments.

Random people were even rewarded money before the race even started and others were rewarded money at randomly selected performance times. It was a great reminder that it is the spirit of the event that has kept it going for so long that anyone, of any running ability, could share in the celebration of the marathons 20th anniversary.

In an effort to empower participating charities to fundraise, the Long Beach International City Bank helped the Boys and Girls Club of Long Beach, Team in Training, and City of Hope raise money by having this event.

"The directors of the Long Beach Marathon have stepped forward to help support other organizations because they want to see money raised for charities," Mackel said.

The City of Hope foundation brought in a couple thousand dollars to continue funding research of cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other life threatening illnesses but wants to get more involved next year.

"When you are running a marathon and your legs start hurting you have to be thankful for what you have, especially when you think of all those people who are less fortunate," Mackel said.

The Boys and Girls Club hosted a pancake breakfast for $5 to help fund three newly opened education facilities. Proceeds will go to financing computer labs, supplies, and more staff needed for the homework assistance program.

"We hope to enhance education in Long Beach by helping kids with their homework so that they don't fall behind," said Don Rodriguez, the executive director of the Boys and Girls Club.

The Team in Training fundraising program provides training to anyone who wants to prepare for a marathon or a half marathon. Seventy-five percent of every dollar earned goes to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which is the world's largest voluntary health organization, dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education for patients and their families.

"Team in Training really helped me and my family. It is pretty euphoric after a lot of training and achieving good accomplishments," said John Gronnel after finishing the half marathon with his son.

The race ended on a victory run downhill on Shoreline Drive where a "Beach Party" Finish Line Festival was held in honor of the 20th anniversary of Long Beach Marathon. Participants gathered to enjoy live entertainment in the beer garden, food and good company.