The CIM lead runners cross Madison Avenue at approximately 7:30 am. on Sunday Dec. 8.

 

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - An international cast of runners hit the streets of Sacramento County on Sunday, Dec. 8, for the 41st annual California International Marathon (CIM).

The 26.2-mile CIM course, which according to the official CIM program is essentially unchanged from the first running in 1983, had runners starting in the vicinity of Folsom dam and finishing at the steps of the state capital building. The course featured 17 hydration stations each with basic medical services.

The race started sharply at 7 a.m., but the day for many of the runners started much earlier as they stowed gear and boarded transport busses as early as 5 a.m. The trek took runners through the communities of Folsom, Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks, Carmichael and Sacramento. The course featured an elevation net loss of 366 feet, but it may not have seemed that way to the runners as they traversed the Fair Oaks Hills portion of the course.

The CIM program included a statement from Governor Newsom providing well wishes to the more than 15,000 runners competing in the CIM and the more than 4,000 volunteers needed to manage and support the marathon route and runners.

The hydration station at Madison Avenue at the 8.5-mile mark of the marathon is staffed by some of the army of volunteers needed to support the race.

CIM is just one event hosted by the non-profit Sacramento Running Association (SRA). The association’s Board of Director, President Tamara Torlakson discusses the races community impact in the official program. “Your entry fee and the generosity of sponsors helps the SRA support our community with youth running programs, including in-school fitness and after-school cross country at all Sac City elementary and middle schools, as well as elite athlete support programs, and the development and maintenance of safe running venues, such as the American River Parkway.”

In terms of the regional economy, Torkalson provides these statistics, “CIM alone provides greater than $13 million in economic impact to the region and raises more than $500,000 for local, regional, and national charities.”

The official CIM webpage has race results posted, albeit still unofficial at press time. The results indicate that 8,356 race participants finished the 26.2-mile course and received a race time. The fastest runner completed the course in a speedy 2:07:35 and the 8,356th place runner completed the course at a bit slower pace of 6:23:54.

The top three finishers in the Mens Elite Division were Tsegay Weldlibanos 2:07:35, Cj Albertson 2:10:06 and Nick Hauger 2:11:55. The top three finishers in the Womens Elite Division were Calli Hauger-Thackery 2:24:28, Jacqueline Gaughan 2:24:40 and Stephanie Bruce 2:28:41.