Sacramento Running News

I don’t know about you, but I was pretty happy to see Meb Keflezighi win at Boston–running out in front for miles and miles before anyone, finally (too late) took him seriously.

It was also thrilling to see Shalane Flanagan pulling the women out to a record pace, forcing the top women to pay dearly if they wanted to go along for the ride. I was sorry she faded, but super impressed at her run, just the same.

Here is a great analysis of the race, putting the women’s record setting race and the men’s upset into perspective.

The news that the top-American runners worked together to help another American win (and many earn personal bests for themselves) was also pretty sweet and a sign that American distance running is maturing.

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In her marathon debut, Becky Wade runs 2:30:41 for the fifth fastest time by an American this year.

While I am not one of those crazy CIM “streakers,” this year I marked my 11th CIM finish, and 13th start. Many of them were cold–especially at the start–but none were as cold as this one.

How cold was it? It was so cold that some of the buses at the starting line were capped with snow–snow that wasn’t melting despite the buses’ heaters running.

It was cold enough to ice over the Power Aid in the paper cups at the aid stations.

And it was also cold enough for the spilled water and electrolyte drink to freeze on the ground, turning the road along the aid stations into crazy, jostling ice rinks.

I’m sure RD Michelle LaSala has added “road salt” to the aid station supply list, something no previous race director has ever had to worry about.

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Numerous road closures will be in place on Sunday during the 31st annual California International Marathon, which begins at 7 a.m.

Here is a mile-by-mile look at closures along the course from near Folsom Dam to the state Capitol, provided by the marathon organizers:

1 – 5:20 a.m.-7:15 a.m. – Folsom-Auburn and Oak

2 – 5:20-7:30 – Oak and American River Canyon

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Inspired by the book Running With the Kenyans, Sacramento runner Conyers Davis decided to use Fundraise.com to bring two of the featured runners to Sacramento so they can run in the California International Marathon.

Read all about it in the Sacramento Bee.

Davis believes others will also fall in love with the story of these runners and decide to contribute. His fundraiser is simple: He’s looking for 250 people to donate $26 each to bring the runners here. The $6,000 or so will pay for travel, lodging and the documents necessary for the athletes to make the trip.

I think I might have $26 lying around here somewhere. What about you?

You still have a chance to get in!

By John Schumacher

A two-week registration window for the California International Marathon opens Tuesday for a select group of runners.

Those with times within five minutes of Boston Marathon qualifying standards are guaranteed entry from Oct. 1-Oct. 15. The entry fee is $130.

The race, founded by the Sacramento Running Association and set for December 8th, reached its 8,000-runner cap last month and has closed general registration.

A handful of charity entries are still available for $250 each, with 100 percent of the money going to the SRA’s youth fitness programs. Part of the entry fee may be tax deductible. (Editor’s note: As always, consult with your tax adviser regarding the deductablity of anything.)

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Don’t procrastinate!

The trend for marathons these days is to fill up and fill up early.

It seems that the local, popular California International Marathon is no different.

The race filled up last year by August 22nd, and race management is reporting fewer than 1,000 of the total 8,000 entries remain available.

I guarantee you it will fill to capacity, so if you are planning to run the race–register soon.

This is a far cry from the good old days when we could sign up for the race at the expo!

If you are a faster runner (approximately able to meet Boston qualifying standards), there will be an additional window for registration between October 1st and October 15th for runners who can meet the Guaranteed Entry Standards.

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There is, apparently, some kind of road race thing going on this Sunday. (In this rain?! Even the ducks are staying indoors!)

Starting at 7:00 a.m. Sunday morning, there will be 16,000 self centered “athletes” clogging up the roads and interfering with your ability to drive your SUV to the doughnut shop.

Also, if one of your loved ones has the bad judgement to be out there, slogging their way to the Capitol in the rain, and you are planning to be out there to support them, you may need to plot a circuitous route to get your where you need to be. (But really, in this weather? Can’t you love them just as much while you are snuggled in your bed?)

Whatever.

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You still have a chance to get in!

The California International Marathon–known lovingly here as CIM–met its apparently semi-official cap of 8,000 runners in August.

But for those of you speedy enough to meet the CIM’s time standards – five minutes slower than the Boston Marathon age-group qualifying times – you can still register until October 15th. See the website for details.

Can you run a qualifying marathon this weekend?

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Earlier today, we wrote about questions being raised regarding Congressman and vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan’s marathon PR.

Nicholas Thompson at The New Yorker gets the scoop and so, at last, we can stick a fork in this story.

Evidently, the folks at the New Yorker stay up later than those at Runners World. It kind of makes sense, seeing as how all those literati cocktail parties in Manhattan don’t really get cooking until after 24:00 EST, and all the runners are planning to get up early and knock down some mile repeats before it gets too warm.

Anyhow, this epic story of political intrigue ended pretty much how I expected it would end: It was all a mix-up.

“The race was more than 20 years ago, but my brother Tobin—who ran Boston last year—reminds me that he is the owner of the fastest marathon in the family and has never himself ran a sub-three. If I were to do any rounding, it would certainly be to four hours, not three. He gave me a good ribbing over this at dinner tonight.”

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