A record number of people will be running Sunday’s 27th annual marathon…up about 20% from last year. And Race Director John Mansoor says lots more people will be cheering them on.
“All tolled we have 13,500 runners and we are expecting at least 50,000 spectators to be along the route from Folsom to the State Capitol.”
Runners are coming from all 50 states and 20 different countries. That means some hotels, shops and restaurants will see an up-tick in business.
“December is traditionally a slower time for conventions and leisure travel. So it’s great for our local economy.”
That’s Mike Testa with the Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau. He estimates the event generates around $5 million for local businesses – a fair trade off for some of the traffic tie ups along the race route in parts of Fair Oaks, Carmichael, East Sacramento and Downtown.
“Certainly there may be an impact on some of the locals with road closures. But I think from an exposure standpoint and an economic impact standpoint. It’s very worth it for the area to host the event.”
And if you’re running the marathon – here’s race director Mansoor’s advice:
“Don’t go out too fast because you get excited and you want to take off. Make sure you pace yourself. But mostly just go out and have a great time.”
The race starts Sunday at 7 AM in Folsom. Elite runners are expected to cross the finish line in around two-hours-and-15-minutes. For average runners, it’ll take about twice that amount of time.
Below is the timetable used by the trailing California Highway Patrol car to reopen the course for regular traffic:
Mile Close Open Intersections
1 5:00 a.m. 7:24 Oak Ave. Parkway just off Auburn-Folsom Rd
2 7:00 7:38 Amer. River Canyon Dr. & Oak Ave.
3 7:09 7:52 April & Oak Ave.
4 7:12 8:06 Beach & Oak Ave
5 7:15 8:20 Kenneth/Wachtel & Oak Ave
6 7:18 8:34 Fair Oaks Blvd. & Oak Ave
7 7:21 8:48 Fainvays Condo & FOB (3/4 way to Greenback)
8 7:24 9:02 Niessen & FOB (bet. Grnbk & Madison)
9 7:27 9:16 Dorian & FOB (almost to Sunset)
10 7:30 9:30 Main & FOB (at Winding Way curve)
11 7:33 9:44 New York Ave. & FOB (just W of Sunrise)
12 7:36 9:58 Hollister & FOB (apartment row)
13 7:39 10:12 California & FOB (before Manzanita)
14 7:42 10:26 Grant & FOB (after Manzanita)
15 7:45 10:40 Kenneth Ave. & FOB (bet. Marconi & El Camino)
16 7:48 10:54 Garfield & FOB (at end of "S" curve)
17 7:51 11:08 Paloma & FOB (immediately after Arden Wy.)
18 7:54 11:22 Saverien & FOB
19 7:57 11:36 Coronado & FOB (just before Watt)
20 8:00 11:50 Hawthorne & FOB (almost to Fulton)
21 8:03 12:04 p.m. University & FOB (almost to Howe)
22 8:06 12:18 Carlson/CSUS & J St.
23 8:09 12:32 Bear Flag & J St. (48th St.)
24 8:12 12:46 33rd & J St. (just before Alhambra)
25 8:15 1:00 22nd & L St. (just before RR tracks)
26 8:18 1:14 8th & L St. (approx.--almost the end)
The finish line area around 8th, 9th, and 10th Streets and Capitol Mall will be closed from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.