Sacramento Running News

I hope you got in!

The California International Marathon announced today that they have reached their 8,000 runner registration cap.

Last year, the race filled in October, so it looks like there is increasing demand for this popular race.

Fortunately for you fence-sitters, there are still a couple of ways to sneak into the event. (Not including actually sneaking in.)

If you are somewhat speedy, there is a guaranteed entry program for folks who meet the CIM Guaranteed Entry Standards–which are five minutes slower than the relevant Boston Marathon qualifying times.

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You’ve got to plan ahead–Waaaay ahead!

Today’s lunchtime run was easily the hottest run of the year and the crisp training days of autumn still seem like an impossible dream.

With that in mind, it is difficult to come to terms with the fact I need to be deciding, right now, whether or not to register for a December marathon.

Difficult or not, that is what we are faced with as the folks at the California International Marathon are reporting they are about 90% full, as of today.

The CIM continues to fill way faster than last year! Marathoners entered as of 8/9/2012 = 7,026; marathon entry limit = 8,000. Although the entry fee increase deadline was a reason, we had more than 800 people enter last week alone! Daily entries continue to be higher than last year… so… dare we say, “Do the math.”? We will say, “Enter sooner than later to avoid disappointment!”

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The place to be on the Friday afternoon before CIM is the Convention Center. There is something magical about being at the Expo when it is only filled with volunteers and vendors. It’s fun seeing the booths decorated, and bib numbers and goody bags  being set out in expectation of the crush of nervous runners that will begin pouring in when the doors open.

Good luck everyone! It looks like its going to be a perfect day.

Vendors get ready for the big rush.

A hardworking Expo staffer.

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Your last chance for an OT qualifying time

Next weekend’s California International Marathon is pretty much the last chance for runners to earn an Olympic Trials Qualifying time.

Today’s Bee includes some pretty decent coverage of local marathoners gunning for this magic time at next weekend’s CIM.

Dec. 11 is the last day to qualify for the 2012 Trials – scheduled for Jan. 14 in Houston – which means those attempting to qualify at the CIM most likely will be taking their final shot. The men’s standard is 2:19; the women’s is 2:46.

Check out the article, it’s definitely worth the read. In the Sports Section, no less!

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Hopefully, you didn’t put off registering for this year’s California International Marathon.

Race management is reporting that the event has filled to capacity.

However, as of last night, there were 300 special charity entries available for the low, low price of $250. Don’t expect these to be around very long!

The World Masters Athletics Championships (AKA World Masters Track and Field Champs) are a little more than a month away and there is excitement in the air. It’s a little like you’re a kid waiting for Christmas, except maybe you’re hoping that Santa Claus is going to bring you that massive track meet you’ve always wanted!

(I suppose I should task the interns with rounding up some better metaphors.)

Most of the venues are pretty easy to figure out. One world-class track is pretty much the same as another. The critical question for most of the events is: What’s the weather going to be like? (It’ll be July in Sacramento so the odds are good it will be warm and sunny.)

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The weather is still cool and a December marathon seems a world away.

It’s hard to believe you might need to be thinking about registering already, but if you want to run the California International Marathon for the “cheap” price of $85, you need to register before midnight on June 1st.

After June 1, 11:59 p.m. PST, the registration fee will increase to $105. The price remains $105 from June 2 until until the entry cap of 7,500 is achieved.

After June 1st, the price shoots up to $105, which seems like a lot until you realize that it’s only $4 per mile! (Okay. It still seems like a lot.)

Relay registration is already $105, but it goes up to $165 after August 1st.

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Plan ahead!

It may be hard to believe, but registration for the California International Marathon opens up on March 21st.

It seems awfully early, but the race does sell out and they are offering a significantly cheaper rate for those of you willing to commit to a marathon well before you start to train for it.

The $85 rate is good until June 1st, when it goes up to $105.

Last year’s race filled up in October and there is no reason this year will be much different. However, the CIM folks are hinting of some alternative entry process. A recent email from the race says, (more…)

Last weekend, Dylan Wykes came down from Kingston, Ontario and won CIM, leading wire-to-wire. I know you are all wondering: “Who is that guy?”

Flotrack has a lengthy interview with Wykes.

It’s an interesting read, covering the race and what it takes to train for something like that. Turns out, Wykes is a Montreal Canadiens fan.

Dan Weintraub chases Marie Sample to the finish line.

It’s been a week since the marathon and it seems like a good time to  finally wrap up the news on the event. Hopefully it was worth the wait as we’ve got a bucket-full of fun facts for you!

The weather was close to perfect for this time of year. Although the streets were wet from the previous night’s deluge, the rain quit before the start and waited to resume until later in the afternoon.

Dylan Wykes, a Canadian, led wire-to-wire for the win in 2:12:39. Ethiopian Buzunesh Deba, the defending women’s champion, was first woman in 2:32:13.  Read what the Bee’s John Schumacher has to say about it.

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