Runners Gear Up For City’s Sporting Event of the Year

[view:node_ad=5] The City of Santa Clarita will be presenting the 12th Annual Santa Clarita Marathon, which is an official qualifying race for the Boston Marathon. The marathon is slated for Sunday, November 4, 2007, and features a full marathon, a half marathon, a 5K Run/Walk, and a Kid K run.  All races will begin at 7 a.m., at McBean Parkway and Mall Entrance Avenue, with the exception of the Kid K, which will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Westfield Valencia Town Center.

“The Santa Clarita Marathon is a big event for the City of Santa Clarita and each continues to grow in prestige and size each year,” commented Mayor Marsha McLean.  “Thanks to this year’s title sponsor, Parkway Supercenter, the Santa Clarita Marathon is sure to be a huge success.”

This year, the Santa Clarita Marathon Race Committee will be utilizing the newly open trails along the San Francisquito Creek to be part of the 2007 Half Marathon and Marathon.   The new trial system will be used for the majority of the race and will reduce the amount of street closure on McBean Parkway.

To kick off the marathon and get in the racing spirit, the City will host a pre-race Health and Fitness Expo on Saturday, November 3, for everyone to enjoy.  Here, runners will be able to sign up for events and race participants will be able to pick up race bibs and T-shirts.  The free Expo will be held at the Hyatt Valencia from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will feature dozens of health-related vendors and information booths.  

The race will begin at the Hyatt Valencia Hotel, curve through various Santa Clarita streets and trails and finish at the Westfield’s Valencia Town Center.  

Following the completion of all races, awards will be given to the top male and female finishers in the Marathon, the Half Marathon and 5K, as well as the top Santa Clarita finishers in both marathons.  Awards will also be given to the top three male and female finishers in each age group for the three races.  To ensure accurate race-times, all races will use the ChampionChip timing system to track runners.

Early entry fee for the marathon is $54, $45 for the Half Marathon, $22 for the 5K, and $12 for the Kid K.  

Registration is available by mail, online or by walk-in at the Parks and Recreation Activities Center, located at 20880 Centre Park Parkway.

Online registration ends October 31, mail-in registration packets must be postmarked by October 26, and the last day to register in person is at the Health and Fitness Expo on November 3. Marathon and Half Marathon registration will not be available the day of the race so make sure to get your entry in early.

For more information on the Marathon, contact Parks and Recreation at (661) 284-1472 or visit the event online at www.scmarathon.org.