Race into the weekend: Long Beach Marathon returns Saturday and Sunday
The Long Beach Marathon returns this weekend, Oct. 9 to Oct. 10, for the first time in almost two years, and this year will bring a variety of races and accommodations in light of COVID.
This year’s marathon will feature four in-person races with an additional virtual race to accommodate to those who are unable to attend or may not feel comfortable running during the event. Saturday will hold the Aquarium of the Pacific 5K race while Sunday will hold the 20M Bike Tour, Marathon, and Half Marathon, all taking place in Downtown Long Beach.
Participants and viewers alike can anticipate races full of picturesque views, fresh weather, charitable causes, and safe health measures.
“Runners can expect a safe and scenic iconic course showcasing the city’s eclectic neighborhoods, waterfront views of Shoreline Village, the Queen Mary, and two days of events that bring runners, spectators, and the community together in a positive and memorable way,” says Dan Cruz, Head of Communications for the Long Beach Marathon.
Sundays’ races will begin and end in Shoreline Drive, with the course highlighting Long Beach landmarks such as the Lighthouse, Queen Mary, and Shoreline Village. Its downtown waterfront course offers participants a flat course with comfortable weather conditions for everyone to enjoy.
The virtual races will be accepting submissions until Oct. 12. Runners will be allowed to complete the race in the location of their choice and must provide proof of their distance and time via a tracking device or link to a digital tracking site. All qualifying links are listed in the site’s FAQ page. Annual runners who opt for the virtual runs will not be affected in their legacy status and can still qualify for the Beach Cities Challenge.
As far as COVID-safety, participants will be required to provide a negative COVID test within 72 hours prior to their selected race day or provide proof of full vaccination. Runners will not be required to wear a mask throughout the race, but are encouraged to wear their masks when picking up their race packets and in surrounding start line areas. The marathon events will also be limited in capacity with an expected 10,000 participants, in accordance with Los Angeles County Health Department guidelines.
By: Ayline Rebollo
Photo Credit : The Long Beach Marathon