Runners• Marathon
participants make their way through the
streets of Long Beach Sunday, as blocked
off street surprised many local residents
trying to find their way around. Tracey
Roman/Online Forty-Niner
Marathon festivities
consume Long Beach
By Kim Oswell
Sports Editor
Online Forty-Niner
The Long Beach International City Bank Marathon is considered to be a warm-up
for the New York Marathon, according to Lauren Feldhaus. She was a volunteer
with the International City Racing at the 21st annual marathon last Sunday, and
was very impressed with the spectator turnout and number of participants.
“
I think it is a beautiful route to race on because it is near the beach,” Feldhaus
said. “ A lot of runners come from outside the area. It is kind of
a tune up or practice for the New York one.”
The course started on Shoreline Dr. and went from the Pike at Shoreline Village
to the Queen Mary, then circled past the Aquarium of the Pacific.
The annual race included a marathon, half marathon, inline marathon, wheelchair
marathon, bike tour, 5k run/walk and a kid’s run.
Two students from Cal State Long Beach’s Delta Sigma Chi Chapter, Valerie
Solis and Wendy Rodriguez, attended the marathon. “We are here to support
our honorary sister because she is running the half marathon,” said Solis.
The marathon and half marathon began at 7:30 a.m. and there was also the option
to walk the marathon, which began at 6:30 a.m. The time limit for the marathon
and half marathon was 7.5 hours.
A carbo-load dinner consisting of pastas, Caesar salad and dessert was held from
6-9 p.m. Saturday night before the marathon in the Grand Salon on the Queen Mary.
There were thousands of people that participated in the various races and hundreds
of people crowded the sidelines cheering the racers on.
A participant, Howard Bland, competed in the 5k run/walk with his wife, Joy,
and son Nick. The Bland family lives in Cyrpess, but has competed in races throughout
Southern California, including Culver City.
“
My father is running the half marathon,” Howard Bland said. “Doing
a 5k helps us keep in shape and it’s fun.”
Suzanne Anderson was there with her four children to cheer on her husband from
the sidelines. The Anderson family is from Irvine, and they came to show support
for their dad. “He is addicted to marathons and has run 15 of them,” she
said. “He ran the Twin Cities Marathon, but didn’t do well, so he
wanted to run the Long Beach one.”
Activities began early with the Michelob Ultra Beach Party Finish Line Festival
that ran from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. It was located on the Marina Green near the finish
line so friends and family could congratulate the finishers.
The Taste of Pine Avenue took place from 2-8 p.m. Bands played jazz music along
the street and a portion of the proceeds went to help the victims of Hurricane
Katrina.
Some participants are training for the bigger races by running the 5k.
“
I like to run, but I’m not ready for the bigger races like the marathon,” said
Lindsay Russell, 22. “I live in Hermosa Beach and came here to run and
support my dad who is doing the half marathon.”
To prepare for next year’s marathon, there are special training programs
offered by the city that help participants train in a safe and effective
way.
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