2013 Asics LA Marathon Offical Race Program

OFFICIAL RACE PROGRAM

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Table of Contents 2013 ASICS LA Marathon Official Race Program Welcome

Race day parking

Keep up the pace

Feature presentations

Letters from the people who make race day a success Pgs. 8, 10, 14

Getting to the Start Line Pg. 26

Advice for preparing, running and recovering Pg. 52

Stadium to the Sea route a cinematic adventure Pg. 64

Make a spectator of yourself

By the numbers

Running through the years NutriBullet Health & Fitness Expo This two-day event features exhibitors and packet pick-up Pg. 16

LA Big 5K 3.1 mile warmup to race day Pg. 18

ASICS LA Marathon continues City of Angels tradition Pg. 28

A landmark race Stadium to the Sea course an iconic run Pg. 36

Track stars Start Line Important information for runners and their families Pg. 21

Bands, cheer squads and more Pg. 42

Star power Course map Chart your way around the Stadium to the Sea route Pgs. 22-23

American record holder and Olympian Deena Kastor joins the field Pg. 44

Finish Line

If I can do it ‌

Find your way around the end of the line Pg. 24

Everyday runners share stories of marathon triumph Pg. 48

Follow these tips for a perfect viewing experience Pg. 54

Tracking times Simple chart helps you figure out your numbers Pg. 56

Fun facts about the big race Pg. 66

About this publication This Official Race Program has been created as a partnership between the ASICS LA Marathon and the Santa Monica Daily Press.

It was produced to give runners and

Charities win big on race day

spectators of this historic event an

ASICS LA Marathon draws thousands running for a cause Pg. 58

the race: competition, charity, the

Providing the support you need to succeed LA Roadrunners program trains, inspires marathoners to finish strong Pg. 60

opportunity to learn more about the marathon. It speaks to all aspects of course and the diverse communities that it serves.

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Welcome, On March 17th, roughly 23,000 runners will take their place on the start line for the 2013 ASICS LA Marathon. When they do, they will be part of one of the greatest races in the nation.

For the fourth year in a row, runners will experience our signature Stadium to the Sea course, which provides an unmatched tour of Los Angeles and its most iconic landmarks. Excitement about the route and the race’s world-class experience led to a sold-out event well in advance of the 28th annual running of this great race.

The success we’ve had in building this race together has not gone unnoticed. ASICS, one of the most respected brands in running, has stepped into the role of title partner for the race.

We were honored to be named Best Big-City Race by Runner’s World magazine this year, and the Best Marathon in the West by Competitor magazine for the second year running.

I am also proud to report that thousands of runners have chosen to participate in the “I Run 4 Something” campaign to raise millions of dollars for important environmental, educational, civic and health-related causes. Our goal is to reach the day when every runner raises money for charity.

We appreciate the dedication of our sponsors, partners, staff and thousands of determined volunteers, who help to make the race a reality. We are also grateful for our partnership with the cities of Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica, along with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which have all lent their support, cooperation and assistance.

Here’s to a successful 2013 ASICS LA Marathon!

Best regards,

Frank McCourt ASICS LA Marathon Chairman

FRANK MCCOURT

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Dear Friends, Welcome to the 2013 ASICS LA Marathon!

This event is not just a great race; it’s a true celebration of Los Angeles, our diverse neighborhoods and the more than 23,000 runners who lace up to experience the iconic Stadium to the Sea course.

Starting at Dodger Stadium and ending near the Santa Monica Pier, the course showcases a highlight reel of our world famous landmarks, and demonstrates a wonderful partnership of four cities and the U.S. Veterans Administration who have come together to make this fantastic course possible.

I would like to congratulate all of the participants for their hard work and determination, especially those who are raising money for important charitable causes. I would also like to welcome and thank ASICS for stepping up as the title partner, and helping to market the race nationally and globally.

The ASICS LA Marathon was first inspired by the Olympic Marathon in 1984 — a truly momentous year for Los Angeles. Together, we honor that legacy and look to the future by supporting what is quickly becoming a premier marathon in the world.

On behalf of the City of Los Angeles, I offer my best wishes for yet another successful race.

Very truly yours,

Antonio R. Villaraigosa Mayor of Los Angeles

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Dear Sports Enthusiasts, Welcome to the ASICS LA Marathon with an amazing course beginning at the iconic Dodger Stadium going through scenic Los Angeles and ending at the beautiful coast in Santa Monica. ASICS is thrilled to be the new title sponsor of this phenomenal event. The sold-out race has grown exponentially year after year and you are amongst a crowd of select individuals who make this race the outstanding running experience that it is. Both runners and non-runners who support the ASICS LA Marathon are setting records with charity organizations, philanthropic efforts and support from the city. We sincerely appreciate all the individuals, city officials and federal agencies who have helped make our vision a reality. This event could not take place without the dedication of the runners, volunteers, partners and devoted ASICS LA Marathon staff.

Here at ASICS America we are about constant improvement and stopping at never.

Our Support Your Marathoner (SYM) program is a great tool to enable you to continuously improve throughout the race. This is a one-of-a-kind program that lets your friends and family send personalized messages of support directly to you during the race, giving every runner a virtual cheering section. If you are a runner or spectator you can register for this program at www.supportyourmarathoner.com. Additionally as a registered SYM user, you have access to Share Your Glory, which allows you to track your race progress and post it on your social media channels. Post-race you can also reflect on your experience by creating a digital scrapbook of your race.

Good Luck on your run through the one-of-a-kind iconic Stadium to the Sea course!

Best,

Kevin Wulff CEO and President, ASICS America Corporation

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2013 Sponsors We’d like to give a special thanks to all our partners, without whom this race would not exist Title Partner

Premier Partners

Sponsors

Media Partners

Licensee Sponsor

Supporting Sponsor

Community Partners LO S A N

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NutriBullet Health & Fitness Expo Los Angeles Convention Center, South Hall Friday, March 15 10 a.m. — 7 p.m, Saturday, March 16 9 a.m. — 6 p.m. he NutriBullet Health & Fitness Expo will host over 150 exhibitors featuring the brand-new designs in running apparel and shoes, as well as the latest developments in sports, fitness, and nutrition. It is also home of Participant Packet PickUp for all ASICS LA Marathon runners. The two-day Expo is free and open to the public.

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LA Big 5K

Date: Saturday, March 16, 2013 Start Time: 8 a.m.

Location: Dodger Stadium, Lot G

he LA Big 5K winds 3.1 miles through scenic Elysian Park with both the Start and Finish Line just steps from Dodger Stadium.

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• LA Big 5K registration will be available at the NutriBullet Health & Fitness Expo on Friday, March 16 and race morning starting at 6:30 a.m. in Parking Lot G.

• Directions and Parking: Free parking available to all participants in Lot K at Dodger Stadium. Participants will be able to enter Dodger Stadium via the Sunset Gate off of Sunset Boulevard and Elysian Park Drive or the Downtown Gate from the 110 Freeway.

NOTE: The Golden State Gate entrance (accessible from the 5 Freeway) will be CLOSED due to street closures for the LA Big 5K race.

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ASICS LA Marathon Date: Important Pre-Race Logistics: • Gear Check closes at 6:45 a.m.

• Corrals close at: 7 a.m.

Race Start Times: • Wheelchair: 6:55 a.m.

• Hand Cycles: 7 a.m.

• Elite Women: 7:08 a.m.

• Elite Men & Full Field: 7:25 a.m.

Broadcast Schedule: • Television: KTLA Channel 5, 6 a.m. — 11 a.m. on Sunday morning • Radio: KLAC 570 AM, 5 a.m. — 10 a.m. on Sunday morning • Webcast: Live webcast 6 a.m. — 11 a.m. on Sunday morning www.ktla.com

Sunday, March 17, 2013

• Universal Sports: Tune in to universalsports.com to relive the experience

Race Weekend Communication: Runners and spectators can keep up with the latest news and schedule updates by following us on:

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/lamarathon; @lamarathon #RUNLA #ALAM13 • Facebook: www.facebook.com/lamarathon • Website: www.lamarathon.com

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Post Race Celebration heer the runners home as they take their final steps toward the finish line in Santa Monica at California and Ocean avenues and then join them in a post-race celebration in true St. Patrick’s Day form, at the Michelob Ultra Beer Garden located on Santa Monica Boulevard between Ocean Avenue and Second Street.

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Post-Race Runner and Spectator Reunion Family Reunion area: Family and friends can meet runners in the Family Reunion Area located on Ocean Avenue between Broadway and Colorado Avenue.

Make arrangements to meet your family at one of the letters of the alphabet along Ocean Avenue.

Runner Pickup area: The Runner Pick-Up Zone is located on Ocean Avenue between Moomat Ahiko Way and Pico Boulevard. Vehicles can access the Runner Pick-Up Zone from the east via Pico Boulevard or from the south via Ocean Avenue.

Hotel Shuttles (Wristband Required): For participants who booked hotels in Downtown LA and Beverly Hills via our Hotel Reservation Center, Hotel Shuttles will be staged at Santa Monica City Hall, 1685 Main St. Hotel Shuttles require a wristband to board. Hotel Shuttles will begin departing on a continuous basis at 11 a.m. and will run until 4 p.m.

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Race day parking GETTING TO THE START LINE Shuttles to Dodger Stadium • The easiest way to get to the Start Line is by taking one of our complimentary pre-race shuttles from Santa Monica or Union Station. Shuttles from Santa Monica and Union Station are guaranteed for race participants only. There will also be complimentary shuttle service from officially booked Beverly Hills and Downtown LA hotels. Please see lamarathon.com for more details.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS NO SHUTTLE TRANSPORTATION BACK TO DODGER STADIUM FROM THE FINISH LINE IN SANTA MONICA. • Santa Monica Shuttle Information Location: All shuttles leave from in front of Santa Monica City Hall, 1685 Main St., Santa Monica, CA 90401 Shuttle Times: 2:30 a.m. — 5:30 a.m.

• Union Station Shuttle Information Location: Patsaouras Transit Plaza, 801 Vignes St. Los Angeles, CA 90012 Shuttle Times: 5:15 a.m. — 6:15 a.m.

Dropping off/parking at Dodger Stadium Racers: Plan on arriving between 3 a.m. and 5:45 a.m. on race day.

If you want to start the race on time, we recommend that you are inside the gate and parked no later than 6 a.m. Please note: There will be slow traffic as you exit the freeway and you need to allow time to get into the parking lot. Don’t get caught in traffic ...

BE EARLY! We’ll have Arrowhead water, bananas, and bagels at Dodger Stadium in addition to the stadium facilities being open for runner use.

• Both parking and runner dropoff will be available at Dodger Stadium on race day. Dodger Stadium will open for parking starting at 3 a.m. Vehicle access on race morning is ONLY

permitted through the Golden State Gate (928 Academy Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90012), which is accessed from the 5 Freeway. All other Dodger Stadium parking gates will be closed to vehicular traffic.

• Dropping off: Use the LEFT lanes leading into the Golden State Gate and proceed to the Runner Drop-Off Area in Parking Lot 4.

Public Transportation • The easiest way to get to the start line via public transportation is to make your way to Union Station and ride the complimentary shuttle running from 5:15 a.m.

— 6:15 a.m. Please refer to www.metro.net and www.bigbluebus.com for updated public transportation race day schedules.

Getting Around on Race Day • Parking: Use the RIGHT lanes leading into the Golden State Gate and proceed to Parking Lots 1, 2, and 3. NOTE: There will NOT be shuttle transportation from the Finish Line in Santa Monica back to Dodger Stadium after the race.

Please see lamarathon.com for gate access to retrieve your vehicle from Dodger Stadium after the race.

• Commuterama.com will be providing real time road closures and how to get around on race day.

• Radio Station KLAC 570 AM will be providing early morning traffic updates to help runners get to start line on time beginning at 5 a.m. Traffic updates will also be fed through @LAMarathonINFO on Twitter.

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Running through the years ASICS LA Marathon continues City of Angels tradition hen Los Angeles hosted its first marathon 27 years ago, long-distance runner Rod Dixon wasn’t sure how many people would turn out. Dixon, a bronze medalist in the 1,500 meters at the 1972 Olympics and winner of the 1983 New York City Marathon, was concerned that smog, traffic congestion and a widely held belief that marathons were only for professional athletes would keep most people away from the race.

That the ASICS LA Marathon allowed people to register the day of the race, a rarity in the sport,

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only added to the uncertainty.

So imagine his surprise when he walked up to the Los Angeles Sports Arena adjacent to the Memorial Coliseum on race day in 1986 to see thousands of people ready to run, including a motivated weekend warrior who decided the night before that he wanted to give it a go. (That man did finish the race, albeit in six hours and change, a few hours off his target time.)

Dixon would later learn that the inaugural run attracted nearly 11,000 people, making the field the largest ever for a first-time

marathon held on U.S. soil.

It was clear to him then that the ASICS LA Marathon had legs.

“We all felt at that time that this was a great idea, a great thing to have evolve from the [1984 Los Angeles] Olympics,” Dixon said. “Now the ASICS LA Marathon has really become one of the great races of the world.

That’s because they stayed with the two principles outlined by [former L.A. Mayor] Tom Bradley — participation and community. He said we have to have another reason to have people come out of their homes, into the street and

meet their neighbors.”

Now, more than ever, the marathon is accomplishing that thanks to the relatively new “Stadium to the Sea” route, which connects the city of Los Angeles to neighbors Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, the Veteran’s Administration and Santa Monica.

Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge has been involved with the marathon since its inception and believes it has united the region and captured the diversity Los Angeles is known for.

SEE HISTORY PAGE 29

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HISTORY FROM PAGE 28 “People really come out and support it,” LaBonge said. “More people are participating than ever before. It’s a time to celebrate Los Angeles. It unites all of us.”

The ASICS LA Marathon’s roots can be traced back to the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, where United States Olympic Committee head Peter Ueberroth introduced a new way to fund and stage large-scale, international sporting events. The 1984 Games, the second to be hosted

by Los Angeles, were a critical and financial success, generating a profit of $223 million and resurrecting the foundering Olympic movement.

The 28th edition of the marathon will be held on March 17, 2013.

Seeking to capitalize on the euphoria and good will generated by the 1984 Olympics, and influenced by the growing popularity of big city marathons held in New

York City and Chicago, the Los Angeles City Council sought proposals for staging a marathon.

The city granted William Burke the rights to the race and the inaugural City of Los Angeles Marathon took place on March 9, 1986.

MARATHON MILESTONES • In 1987, six students at East Los Angeles’ Boyle Heights High School enrolled in a marathon training program offered by teacher Harry Shabazian. The Students Run L.A. organization has grown dramatically since its inception, and today thousands of at-risk students from throughout the Los Angeles Unified School District participate in the six-month program that promotes physical fitness, discipline and goal setting.

More than 51,000 students have been a part of Students Run L.A. and 95 percent of them have completed the marathon.

• In 1987, race organizers experimented with creating a division for race walking, and in the early 1990s they created a division for inline skating. While race walkers are still welcome in the marathon in an informal manner, inline skaters were only allowed to compete for one year.

• In 1996, the ASICS LA Marathon was the first major U.S. marathon to adopt fieldwide chip timing in which each participant’s performance is measured using a transponder and radio receivers located at the strategic points along the course. Chip timing is now a

The original course featured a loop configuration which started and finished near the historic Memorial Coliseum, the symbolic centerpiece of the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games.

The marathon course remained consistent until 1995,

common feature at most organized marathons. Organizers use the technology to help inspire runners through the ASICS Support Your Marathoner program. Loved ones can record video messages, which are then played for runners as they pass certain points along the route; the chip let’s organizers know when the runner is approaching so they can que their special message. For more info, go to www.supportyourmarathoner.com.

• In 2002, race organizers offered participants the option of wearing personalized bib numbers so that their names would be prominently displayed for

though there were some minor adjustments made to the original layout. In 1996, race organizers introduced a new downtown loop course, which began at the intersection of Figueroa Street and SEE HISTORY PAGE 30

spectators viewing the race.

Personalized bib numbers are now a familiar sight at many marathons.

• In 2009, the ASICS LA Marathon became the first big city marathon to fully adopt social media outlets such as Facebook, YouTube, RSS, Flickr and Twitter to not just promote the race, but to also allow participants to connect with one another and to be immediately alerted of all marathon-related developments.

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HISTORY FROM PAGE 29 Eighth Street and finished at the Los Angeles Central Library near the intersection of Flower and Fifth streets. Over the next decade, organizers kept the locations for the start and finish essentially intact, but experimented with different course configurations in a highly publicized effort to produce a sub-2:10 marathon.

The hope was that a faster race record would improve the event’s standing in the international running community and attract more registrants.

The plan to create a faster course, which included eliminating a number of existing elevation gains, was successful and in 1999 Kenyan Simon Bor established a new mark of 2:09:25.

Despite Bor’s race record, the ASICS LA Marathon struggled to distinguish itself in a distance running racing calendar that grew more and more crowded as there was an increased interest in the sport.

The marathon languished for a

QUICK FACTS • While there are no qualifying standards to be eligible to participate in the ASICS LA Marathon, runners wishing to receive an official time must successfully complete the course in eight hours. To date there have been 440,214 official finishers. Los Angeles is a popular venue for novice marathoners, and on average 53 percent of the runners who make up the field are attempting a marathon for the first time.

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few years before Frank McCourt, former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, purchased the rights in the fall of 2008 and rolled out a dramatically different course in 2010 that for the first time incorporated a wide range of iconic landmarks in Los Angeles County, including Dodger Stadium, Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Santa Monica Pier. In doing so, McCourt also incorporated the cities of West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, the Veteran’s Administration and Santa Monica for the first time in the race’s history.

The new course also included a net elevation drop of 430 feet, making it more attractive to runners. “[McCourt] wanted an iconic course that was a tour of Los Angeles, one that brought communities and cities together,” said Nick Curl, who helped design 49 different routes before McCourt and company settled on the Stadium to the Sea version run today. “He was very passionate about it, having grown up in Boston and being a big fan of

• As is the case with most large scale marathons, the ASICS LA Marathon is as much about giving as it is running and since its inception it has raised over $20 million for various charities throughout the community.

• Boxing great Muhammad Ali served as the honorary race starter for several years between 1989 and 2004.

• 1984 Olympian Joan Benoit Samuelson still holds the

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their marathon. He went out every year to cheer on the runners and has a very extensive philanthropic background, so he wanted to carry on that tradition here in Los Angeles.”

Since its inception the marathon has raised over $20 million for various charities throughout the community and that commitment to helping others is stronger then ever under McCourt’s leadership. Last year’s race raised over $3 million for charities and organizers are always looking for ways to increase that number. One way is by having individual charities sell registration spots once a set number have sold out. Racers pay a little extra, knowing that the money is going to a charity of their choice.

“From day one [McCourt] made it clear that we wanted a world-class experience and increase charitable fundraising,” Curl said.

The goal now is to continue raising the race’s profile across the globe, attract more elite runners and encourage more people

record for the fastest women’s marathon ever run in Los Angeles (2:24:51), which she accomplished during her goldmedal winning performance.

• The most decorated performer in ASICS LA Marathon history is Mexican Saul Mendoza, who has won the Wheelchair Division seven times.

• The LA Big 5K run/walk, a fixture on marathon weekend since 1990, draws in excess of 4,000 participants every year.

to sign up.

The work has paid off, said Ann Tack-McClure, a Legacy Runner who has participated in every single ASICS LA Marathon.

She has noticed more bystanders coming out to cheer on runners.

She also credits the new course for encouraging more people to sign up and run.

“It’s totally awesome,” she said. “I think we finally have a course that everyone seems to like. … If I could talk with Mayor Bradley, I would probably tell him thanks for starting it. Thanks for your enthusiasm. We should have a marathon in the city of L.A., just like the other big cities. I thank them for doing it. It has brought a lot to the city.”

• Notable entertainment personalities who have participated in the ASICS LA Marathon include Freddie Prinze Jr., Shia Labeouf, Gordon Ramsay, David James Elliot, Flea, Alison Sweeney and Chris O’Donnell.

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DODGER STADIUM

A landmark race Stadium to the Sea course an iconic run

Dodger Stadium Sitting atop its perch in ChĂĄvez Ravine, Dodger Stadium appears to preside over Downtown Los Angeles.

Construction began on the stadium in 1959 and it opened in 1962 after the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to L.A. The third oldest baseball stadium still in use today, it was also the home of the California Angels until 1965.

Dodger Stadium seats more people than any other baseball stadium in the country.

Olvera Street Situated on the site of the original Los Angeles settlement, Olvera Street takes its name from Agustin Olvera, the first judge in Los Angeles County. Today it acts as a thriving Mexican marketplace CHATEAU MARMONT HOTEL

where tourists and shoppers alike find brightly colored piĂąatas, sombreros and pottery in addition to the smells of Mexican cuisine.

But Olvera has had a rocky history since its establishment as the central plaza for the early settlement. With the expansion of L.A., it lay forgotten by the 1920s and became a gateway to downtown for Mexican immigrants. Its revitalization began in 1926 when the city agreed to save the Avilla Adobe, the oldest home in L.A., from demolition. Since then, it has grown into a bustling tourist attraction and historic site.

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels Towering over Downtown Los SEE COURSE PAGE 37

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HOLLYWOOD SIGN

COURSE FROM PAGE 36 Angeles, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels steeps the community in cultural and religious significance, serving as the archdiocese of more than four million Catholics. Visible from the Hollywood Freeway and located on an elevated section of the old Bunker Hill, the cathedral marks the location of the Archbishop’s celebration honoring the major liturgies of the year. The cathedral is rich in cultural diversity and holds Sunday mass in 42 different languages.

Inside, visitors are brought to awe by the beautifully colored stained glass depicting religious figures outlined by vivid gold, burgundy and royal blue tones.

With further exploration, the main church contains smaller wings colored by art pieces and paintings.

Hollywood Sign On a clear day in L.A. it’s hard to miss the Hollywood Sign looming from its place atop Mt. Lee. The original sign, constructed in 1923, spelled out “Hollywoodland” and served as an advertisement for L.A. Times publisher Harry Chandler’s new real estate development. Originally adorned with flashing lights, the sign fell into disrepair throughout much of the mid-1900s. In the early 1940s, the Hollywoodland real estate development went under and by 1949 the “land” had been removed.

Grauman’s Chinese Theater Located along the historic Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman’s Chinese Theater was commissioned in 1926, and celebrated its opening in 1927 with the premiere of Cecil B. DeMille’s film “The King of Kings.” One of the theater’s most distinctive

points of attraction is the concrete blocks set in the court, which bears the signatures, footprints and handprints of more than 200 celebrities spanning from the 1920s to present day. Structurally daunting, the theater rises more SEE COURSE PAGE 38

BEVERLY HILLS CITY HALL

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GRAUMAN’S CHINESE THEATER

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Chateau Marmont Hotel

than 90-feet with two red coral columns adorned by wrought iron masks holding up the dazzling bronze roof. Adding to the grand design, between the columns is a 30-foot high dragon carved from stone. The theater was declared a historic-cultural landmark in 1968.

Modeled after Chateau d’Amboise in the French Loire Valley, the Chateau Marmont Hotel has brought a little French class to the city of L.A. It opened in 1927 as an apartment house, but high rents and the Great Depression kept business away.

When it reopened as a hotel in

1931, it saw an influx in celebrity clientele. Famous guests have included Jim Morrison of The Doors, who hurt his back during a stay at the hotel after dangling from a drainpipe, Greta Garbo and members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Members of the band Led Zepplin once drove their motorcycles through the lobby of the hotel, leaving a considerable amount of damage.

Whisky A Go Go Billed as a discotheque when it opened in 1964, the Whisky A Go Go established itself as a hot spot for the Los Angeles music scene early on, even hosting a live band on its opening night. During the 60s, the Whisky helped popularize the go-go dance craze that shook the nation, hiring go-go dancers and DJs to perform. It also WHISKY A GO GO

launched the career of many L.A. bands, including Love and The Doors. Because of its music role, the Whisky has been immortalized in a variety of songs, such as Motley Crue’s “Down at the Whisky.” The Whisky learned to reinvent itself as go-go dancing evolved into the new wave and punk trends of the 70s. But it fell on hard times in the early 80s as punk began to die out. To save face, it closed as a club and turned into a venue with rentable space.

Beverly Hills City Hall The Beverly Hills City Hall has presided over the city since 1932 when architect William Gage created the building in the Spanish Renaissance style. But when it showed signs of age in the early SEE COURSE PAGE 39

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SANTA MONICA PIER

COURSE FROM PAGE 38 1980s, Beverly Hills embarked on a renovation project to bring it up to safety and earthquake codes.

Ensuring the preservation of the green- and gold-tiled dome and marble floors, the renovation also increased the office space. The architectural style has since inspired the design for the Beverly Hills Civic Center.

Route 66 This famous highway was established in 1926 and originally ran from Chicago to Los Angeles, passing through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. The route was traversed as a path for migrants who traveled west during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s and towns built up

along the road to cater to these travelers. It was then popularized by the Nat King Cole Trio song “(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66.”

The road was removed from the U.S. Highway System in 1985 but various portions have been designated national scenic byways. In 2009, the Santa Monica Pier became the official end of Route 66, even though it originally ended at the intersection of Lincoln and Olympic boulevards.

Los Angeles National Cemetery — Veterans’ Administration Just off of Wilshire Boulevard is the home of the Los Angeles National Cemetery, spanning more than 114 acres, operated by the Veterans’ Administration on lands shared with national veterans’ homes or treatment centers

for disabled soldiers. Each year, thousands of people come to pay their respect, and reflect on the white marble headstones.

eventually rescinded its decision.

Tourists can still find the carousel and amusement park situated atop the pier, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2009.

Santa Monica Pier The Santa Monica Pier has a storied history as a world-famous tourist attraction. When first built in 1909, it was meant to be a municipal pier to carry sewage to the water. It wasn’t until 1916 that a shorter pleasure pier was built.

In 1922 the famed carousel was added. During its heyday, the pier was home to the La Monica Ballroom and a variety of rides and attractions. When the city took control of the pier in 1953, many Santa Monicans feared this foreshadowed its demise. In the 1970s, citizens organized to preserve the pier from being converted into a resort hotel and the city LOS ANGELES NATIONAL CEMETERY – VETERANS’ ADMINISTRATION

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Track stars With bands, cheer squads and more, there’s plenty of entertainment at this year’s ASICS LA Marathon

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here’s a lot to see along the ASICS LA Marathon’s 26 miles, and picking a spot to watch the race is almost as important as watching the race itself. Every mile offers its own entertainment, so there’s no excuse to be bored.

Whether you want a backdrop of cheerleaders, a soundtrack of live music, or you’re there for the food, the marathon has a spot for you.

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Entertainment Stages No matter what kind of music you’re into, there’s a mile where you can dance and rock out. Pick your favorite sound, or switch it up and sample the sonic variety.

Mile 1: Stadium Way and Elysian Park Avenue - Classic Rock Mile 3: First Street and Main Street - Alternative Pop/Rock Mile 10: Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street - R&B/Jazz Mile 11.5: Sunset Boulevard and La Brea Avenue - Alt Rock/Dance Mile 18: Santa Monica Boulevard and Avenue of the Stars - Jazz/Rock/Blues Mile 20: Sepulveda Boulevard and Ohio Avenue - Rock and Acoustic SEE ENTERTAINMENT PAGE 43

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ENTERTAINMENT FROM PAGE 42 Mile 21: San Vicente Boulevard and Barrington Avenue - Rock ‘n’ Roll Mile 25: San Vicente Boulevard and Ocean Avenue - Rock

On-Course Entertainment The marathon offers more than music at eight different miles throughout the course. Visit the Chinatown entertainment center at Broadway and Alpine Street, get caught up in the pounding drums of the Hongo Taiko School at First Street and Grand Avenue, and more. For information on course entertainment, visit www.lamarathon.com.

Beverly Hills Cheer Zone Become your own cheer squad! Watch your runner from the community cheer zone at Rodeo Drive and Dayton Way, where there will be live music, free samples of food and drink, and product giveaways. You’re sure to find something to root for.

Cheer Alley As the runners race, over 600 cheerleaders will be holding their own competition at mile 18, near Little Santa Monica Boulevard and Moreno Drive. The Cheer Alley competitors will be judged on creativity and showmanship; they’re there to win, but you can stop by to get caught up in the spirit.

Finish Line Maybe the best place to watch the race is right at the finish line in Santa Monica. If you’re thirsty, you can head to the NutriBullet pop-up blast bar to try free samples of Superfood NutriBlastsfruits, vegetables and more juiced into hearty, healthy and delicious drinks. If you’re up for something

stronger, stick around for the post-race celebration at the Michelob Ultra Beer Garden, located on Santa Monica Boulevard between Ocean Avenue and Second Street; after all, it’s important to stay hydrated.

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Star power American record holder and Olympian Deena Kastor joins the field ne of the biggest names in running will be at the start line of the 2013 ASICS LA Marathon.

Three-time Olympian Deena Kastor, who holds the American record in the marathon, will compete in her first ASICS LA Marathon on March 17.

Kastor is a 25-time USA champion in track, road and cross country races. She is most noted for winning the 2005 Chicago Marathon and the 2006 Flora London Marathon, where she became the fastest female marathoner ever with a time of 2:19:36. Kastor also won the bronze medal in the 2004 Olympic women’s marathon, becoming only the second American to win a medal in the event in Olympic history.

“I was on the ASICS LA Marathon course last year as part of the broadcast team, and I was so impressed with the course and the energy of the event that I knew I needed to compete in 2013,” said Kastor, an ASICS athlete. “I am really looking forward to running the Stadium to the Sea route alongside thousands of other runners, including some of

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DEENA KASTOR

the world’s greatest marathoners.”

Apart from the 2012 Olympic Trials, this will be her first marathon since before the birth of her daughter two years ago. The 2013 ASICS LA Marathon will also be a homecoming for the athlete, whose love of running first took root as an 11-year-old on the trails in the Santa Monica Mountains near where she grew up in Agoura Hills, California.

Kastor’s interest in the ASICS LA Marathon was inspired by the performance of another great American runner nearly 30 years ago.

“Watching Joan Benoit Samuelson win the 1984 Olympic Marathon in Los Angeles still SEE ELITE PAGE 45

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DEENA KASTOR

ELITE FROM PAGE 44 remains one of the most memorable days of my life,” says Kastor.

“I became a runner the following year and have recently been training with the memory of her heroic efforts to earn the first ever Olympic Marathon gold medal.”

To ASICS LA Marathon Race Director Nick Curl, Kastor’s participation is a significant milestone for the race.

“Deena is the most accomplished female American distance runner in history, and to have her on the start line of the 2013 ASICS LA Marathon is tremendous,” Curl said. “We believe that

having an outstanding field of runners is part of creating a world-class race and delivering a top-tier experience for all participants.”

Beyond her experience in marathons, Kastor is also a former world-record holder in the 5K and a two-time silver medalist at the World Cross Country

Championships. She is also a multiple American record holder on the roads and track, has won 18 national titles, and is an eighttime NCAA All-American. She currently lives in Mammoth with her husband Andrew, along with their two-year old daughter, Piper.

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If I can do it …

Everyday runners share stories of marathon triumph elatively few people run marathons.

Depending which unsubstantiated statistic you choose to ascribe to, anywhere between .5 and 2 percent of the population has undertaken the Herculean task of forcing their bodies past the breaking point and completing a full 26.2 miles.

Reasons abound. The first guy died. I’ve never been much of an athlete. Coffee, cake and cartoons sound better on a Sunday morning than sweat and the possibility of shin splints.

But for every excuse that has floated through the mind of the noncommittal, there’s a person

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who refused to let their doubts overcome them, an everyday person who got off the couch and said, “Yes,” to the ASICS LA Marathon.

Claire Peeps discovered that last year when she signed up for a running group, just to “see how far I would get.”

Peeps ran when she was younger, but hadn’t gone more than a couple of miles twice a week before she decided that 2012 was going to be her year.

After all, she had something to prove.

That year marked Peeps’ fifth year with a clean bill of health after beating her breast cancer diagnosis. She was determined to show her friends, family and herself that she was back.

“This was a way to celebrate a comeback, a way to celebrate a return to good health and reassure my family, my kids and my friends that resilience is possible,” Peeps said.

Twenty-six is a big number when you’re starting from two,

and Peeps knew she would need help. She started training the August before the race, giving herself a comfortable 32 weeks to get her body into fighting shape.

The 10-milers that sounded so scary when Peeps first began eventually became her “short” runs, at least compared to the 18mile days she and her group ran as the calendar pulled closer to race day.

The support offered by her training group was crucial to her success, giving her the motivation and inspiration to keep going despite joint pain and other aches brought on by the intense exercise.

When Peeps lined up for the marathon, she was ready. So was Los Angeles.

“The new route is divine, it’s just spectacular,” Peeps said. It passed through the neighborhoods she’d worked in, taiko drummers, high school marching bands playing for the passing runners and even a group of crossdressing cheerleaders, her personal favorite.

This year, Peeps will be doing the Charity Relay in honor of a friend diagnosed with preleukemia. Although she isn’t doing the whole thing this year, Peeps has a message for those on the fence about 2014 — get off, and lace up your running shoes.

“I am a relative newbie. I’m not fast, and I’m someone who has come through an illness,” Peeps said. “If a 55-year-old cancer survivor can make it through, other people can, too.”

Sometimes, when a person starts running, they find more than the finish line.

Rachel Danjczek made the ASICS LA Marathon her first race last year. She walked into race SEE EVERYDAY PAGE 49

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EVERYDAY FROM PAGE 48 day injured but determined not to let it get in the way of the months of training she had clocked in preparation for the event.

As the runners kicked off, someone jutted in front of a participant ahead of her. He dodged, but Danjczek couldn’t recover, and began to fall.

“I saw cement flying at my face, and then a pair of hands caught me,” she said.

Those hands belonged to Martin Clouser, an experienced runner dedicated to helping out novice members, who was running his fourth marathon that year. Danjczek made it to mile 13 before she had to walk the remainder of the marathon, but she got a consolation prize — an

e-mail from Clouser after the race.

The two have been together for almost a year.

“It was love at first run,” Danjczek said.

Some run for love, others run for money — Julie Weiss runs for both.

The Santa Monica resident is a couch potato-turned marathon goddess, who will be completing her 52nd marathon in a calendar year in honor of her father, Maurice, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2010.

Weiss has chased marathons across the world to make the full 52, spreading awareness about the scourge of the disease and raising money for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, or PCAN. ASICS, the title sponsor of the ASICS LA Marathon, has also gotten behind her cause, setting her

2013 ASICS LA MARATHON

up with purple running shoes.

Each marathon was dedicated to an everyday person struggling with pancreatic cancer.

Goddess she may be, but Weiss sounds like she’s looking forward to returning to everyday life as a mom and rest her body and mind. That’s not to say she’ll be giving up marathons any time soon, however.

“I have a new goal and a new campaign, something that is actually a lot less to ask of my body,” Weiss said.

PCAN’s goal is to double the survivor rate by 2020, and Weiss plans to double her marathons in the same span by running another 52 in the next seven years to keep the spotlight on PCAN and its mission.

“That’s what it’s all about, creating hope,” Weiss said. “That’s

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my job, to raise hope and awareness. I believe we can beat it. I can’t stop.”

But she had to start. So did Peeps, Danjczek and her running beau Clouser, and so does anyone who thinks it’s time to get up off the couch and take on the long but rewarding process of preparing for a marathon.

When those taiko drummers or cross-dressing cheerleaders are singing your praises, you’ll get it.

“There’s no other accomplishment I’ve been so proud of in my life, and anyone can do it,” Peeps said.

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Keep up the pace Three-time Olympian Deena Kastor and trainer, and husband, Andrew Kastor offer advice for preparing, running, and recovering from the ASICS LA Marathon eena Kastor got her start running on the trails in the Santa Monica Mountains when she was 11 years old. Today, she’s a 25time USA champion in track, road and cross country races, has won the 2005 Chicago Marathon and the 2006 Flora London Marathon, and taken home a bronze medal in the 2004 Olympics women’s marathon. She’s married to Andrew Kastor, who spent 15 years as a competitive runner, and now trains all levels of runners, from fresh start novices to serious marathoners. Naturally, Deena is his number one client.

So if anybody knows about running, it’s the Kastors.

Deena is competing in the ASICS LA Marathon for the first time this year; it’s also the first time she’s competed since the birth of her daughter two years ago. Likewise, Andrew is leading this year’s LA Roadrunners program, the official training program for the ASICS LA Marathon.

Here are some tips from Deena and Andrew for everyone running the big race, whether you’re a first-timer or a three-time Olympian:

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Before the race Believe. Believe in your training program, follow it and believe it will get you to your goals.

Trusting the process is the first step to succeeding.

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you know what to drink on the course.

Rest well. When you are adding miles for marathon training, it is also important to add some rest to your routine.

Whether it’s kicking up your heels at your desk, or indulging in a weekend nap, rest is your new best friend.

Find joy. If training for the marathon becomes stale, find a new place to explore or a new running partner to challenge you.

Practice during long runs. Use your long runs to simulate the marathon. From running on pave-

During the race

ment, to what you are going to wear, to what you eat for dinner the night before and what you will have for breakfast. It is important that you aren’t doing anything new on race day.

Practice hydrating with the fluid offered during the marathon.

It is important on race day that

downright blissful. Whether you accomplish your marathon goal or not, you are a much greater you simply in the quest!

Dress the part. The Kastors have found that on days they wear their favorite running outfit, they also feel good running.

Coincidence? Maybe, however it is

Say “no” to nerves. When the marathon is upon you, remember that the process in getting there is what made you stronger, more confident, more athletic, better focused, more exuberant and

worth having running clothes that make you feel good while you are putting in a hard effort.

Re-fuel. Getting in a balance of nutrients post-run is essential.

Many energy bars are easy to have on hand to give you the balance of protein and carbs for your muscles as well as replacing the vitamins and minerals lost in sweat.

Listen. Ditch the music and listen to your surroundings. Or, if you typically run minimally, grab your MP3 player and run to your favorite tunes. This keeps the miles from being monotonous.

After the race Treat yourself. Massages are a great way to aid in recovery, so book a massage and feel the difference in your next run.

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Make a spectator of yourself Follow these tips for a perfect viewing experience unning is a great way to get your legs pumping and to break a sweat; sometimes, you don’t even have to be in the race to do it. The ASICS LA Marathon is just as fun as a spectator sport, and it’s easy to get into the action.

Pick the best spots to watch the race, support the runners and make some noise. Just remember, wherever you watch the race and however involved you get, have a good time.

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BEST VIEWING SPOTS Start line Anyone dropping off participants at Dodger Stadium will tell you that watching over 20,000 runners begin their journey through Los Angeles is an exhilarating experience.

Entry only available through the Golden State Gate entrance.

Entertainment stages What’s your favorite kind of music? Pick one of eight entertainment stages featuring live

bands, and watch the marathon with your own soundtrack.

Whether you like acoustic, jazz and blues, or classic rock ‘n’ roll, there’s a mile for you. Check www.lamarathon.com for more information on entertainment.

Cheer zone From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., mile 16 will be transformed in the Beverly Hills Cheer Zone, located at Rodeo Drive and Dayton Way, which will feature live music, food and beverage sampling and product giveaways.

Charities Eighty-one charities will be on the course to offer support and inspiration to the runners. To find out where your favorite charity will be on race day, visit www.lamarathon.com/charities.

Cheer alley Show some spirit! Just at the start of mile 18, near Little Santa Monica Boulevard and Moreno Drive, over 600 cheerleaders will SEE SPECTATOR PAGE 55

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Family reunion area Located just past the finish line on Ocean Avenue and Broadway in Santa Monica, family members can go to this tent and track the progress of their runner.

Remember to have a finish line plan; the finish line can get crowded, so make sure you and your runner know where to meet after the race.

Tips for spectators

SPECTATOR FROM PAGE 54 line the streets to provide motivation and encouragement for all the runners. Cheer Alley will also host a cheer competition, where each squad will be judged on overall spirit, creativity and showmanship.

Don’t forget to sample delicious Superfood NutriBlasts, courtesy of the NutriBullet juicer, at the NutriBullet pop-up blast bar.

After the race, spectators and participants alike are welcome to join the post-race celebration at the Michelob Ultra Beer Garden on Santa Monica Boulevard between Ocean Avenue and Second Street.

Arrowhead Hydration Zone Thirsty? Arrowhead will be on site helping runners stay hydrated and motivated at mile 16 on South Santa Monica Boulevard and North Crescent Drive. Join hundreds of volunteers to keep the runners refreshed as they head out on the home stretch.

Finish line Spectators at Ocean Avenue will get in one final cheer, as the runners cross the finish line in downtown Santa Monica. And, with the addition of bleachers this year, you’ll be able to get a bird’s eye view of every last second.

Video boards ASICS will have three video boards located along the course that will broadcast your encouraging videos, photos and text messages for the runners to see as they compete. Friends and family should submit messages at www.supportyourmarathoner.com.

BOARDS LOCATED AT: Mile 8:

SUPPORT YOUR RUNNER Runner tracking Keep time with your runner.

Participants can sign up to have their times posted on their Facebook or Twitter feeds, and friends and family can sign up to receive runner times via text message or e-mail. Runner tracking will be available race week on www.lamarathon.com.

SILVERLAKE Griffith Park and Sunset Boulevard Mile 17: BEVERLY HILLS Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive Mile 22: VETERANS’ ADMINISTRATION Bonsall Avenue and Eisenhower Avenue

Every runner has a personalized bib, so you can call out to runners using their name or the nickname listed on the bib.

Don’t forget the runners in the back! They might need the most encouragement, since they will be out there the longest. Be sure to cheer for them as well.

Don’t crowd the runners by standing in the street, especially in the earlier miles. You might cause a back up for the runners and slow down the marathon.

If you see a runner who appears to need some help or medical attention, try to remember his or her race number and tell a course monitor or fluid station volunteer. If the runner’s injury looks serious, try to find a police officer on the course.

Don’t be afraid to move around the course. Runners will remember you, and seeing you again will encourage them to keep going.

Do something to make the runners smile. Clap, cheer, play music, blow horns, sing or dance; it may put the runners at ease for a few moments.

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2013 ASICS LA Marathon

Arrival Times Dodger Stadium Chinatown Little Tokyo Bunker Hill Westlake Silverlake

Little Armenia

Hollywood

West Hollywood

Beverly Hills

Westwood

Veterans Administration Brentwood

Santa Monica

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Charities win big on race day ASICS LA Marathon draws thousands running for a cause his St. Patrick’s Day, an impressive field of runners will organize at the start line of the ASICS LA Marathon, waiting with nervous anticipation for the signal to begin one of the most difficult, but rewarding, efforts of their lives.

For some, the sight of the finish line in their mind’s eye will propel them forward through the 26.2 miles to Santa Monica;

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others will have another motivation.

Last year, over 3,000 participants in the ASICS LA Marathon ran to raise $3 million for a multiplicity of charities. Organizers of the 2013 event feel that they are on pace to break that record amount with an even higher figure — $4 million raised for 81 nonprofits.

Using the race as a way of

supporting the Los Angeles community was a key direction that the owner of the race gave to organizers five years ago, and has been a fundamental principle of the event, said Nick Curl, race director for the marathon.

“They have always wanted us to grow as a charitable program,” Curl said. “They believe it helps our community.”

This is no longer the fundraising of the 1960s and 1970s where people sent money to their charities through direct mail solicitation, said Michael Nilsen, vice president for public affairs with the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Younger donors want more.

“They have been volunteering since it was required for high school,” Nilsen said. “It’s almost second nature for them to do something philanthropic, and they want to participate more and make more of an impact than just writing a check.”

That desire for participation and connection with a cause emerged just as commitment to exercise and well-being took an upswing. The mix became a potent one for events that paired philanthropy with exertion, beginning with five-kilometer walks and ending with marathons and even ultra marathons.

When an organization like the ASICS LA Marathon takes on the logistical heavy lifting, it makes it even easier for nonprofits like Lupus L.A. to take advantage of the event and

benefit.

The group hopes to gross $100,000 from the single race, or roughly 7 percent of their $1.4 million budget, said Patti Koltnow, executive director of Lupus L.A. That means that the organization committed to finding 75 runners who would take up their cause.

“It’s a way to engage younger donors who aren’t maybe as interested in going to traditional evening events,” Koltnow said.

“They can run or walk for a cause they believe in.”

It has the side benefit of lower overhead, with the biggest expense going to gift bags for runners rather than entertainment or venue rental costs.

Marathons in Northern California have been a big part of the fundraising for Let’s Erase the Stigma, or LETS, a Los Angeles nonprofit that empowers youth to battle suicide and social exclusion amongst their peers.

“We’ve done the San Francisco Marathon for the last couple of years, and it ended up being extremely successful from a fundraising and awareness standpoint,” said founder Philippe Fontilea. “We wondered why we weren’t doing this in Los Angeles. This is where most of us live!”

LETS hopes to raise $75,000, or over 20 percent of its cash budget, at the marathon, SEE CHARITIES PAGE 59

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CHARITIES FROM PAGE 58 Fontilea said. It’s a great way to do so because it allows people who are passionate about the cause to become the face of the organization to their communities, like one runner in San Francisco who had two close friends commit suicide and became one of their top fundraisers.

“She had a huge motivation to do it,” Fontilea said.

and fitness goals while helping others

dedicated to improving the lives of

Just $50 provides one child water for

PREMIER CHARITIES

in the community. In exchange for

those who are affected and infected

life. Our goal: one child per mile. Yes

In their own words

training and support, you help raise

by HIV/AIDS. We do this by raising

it’s intense, but we can do it! That’s

money toward critical patient services

funds to support the programs of

26 people with access to clean water.

in the Greater Los Angeles area. You

APLA. Through our fundraising efforts

That’s 26 children who are now in

can help families cope with this dis-

we raise awareness and encourage

school, who are no longer at risk for

ease as we work toward a cure.

people to get involved in creating an

malaria or guinea worm.

Let’s Erase the Stigma Educational Foundation (LETS) LETS Educational Foundation is

AIDS free generation. Through

a national children’s charity. It is a positive force for early education and prevention and saves kids from

Public Counsel Public Counsel is the nation’s

endurance sport and social activities we celebrate not only our accom-

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training

tomorrow’s issues: crisis like bullying,

largest public interest law firm spe-

plishments, but we honor the lives of

Team In Training (TNT) is the

teen suicide, eating disorders,

cializing in delivering pro bono legal

the men, women and children whom

world’s first and largest charity sports

depression, cutting and self-harm,

services to low-income communities.

HIV/AIDS has taken while supporting

training program. Over the past 22

substance abuse, and the fear of

Founded in 1970, Public Counsel

those who are affected by HIV.

years, TNT has trained more than

talking to adults about things that

strives to achieve three main goals:

really matter. By facing these issues

protecting the legal rights of disad-

in a positive and constructive format,

vantaged children; representing

Team World Vision offers a fun

plete marathons, half marathons,

we help youth find solutions among

immigrants who have been the vic-

and powerful way for you to get in

triathlons, 100-mile century bike

their peers and with adults so that

tims of torture, persecution, domestic

shape and fight global poverty. We

rides, and hiking adventures while

they don’t have to bear these difficult

violence, trafficking, and other

run to provide clean water for chil-

raising over $1 billion for life-saving

burdens alone and in darkness.

crimes; and fostering economic jus-

dren and families in Africa. In coun-

blood cancer research and patient

Suicide in not the solution. LETS is.

tice by providing individuals and

tries like Zambia, less than 10 per-

services. TNT provides personal sup-

institutions in under-served commu-

cent have access to good water.

port from professional coaches,

nities with access to quality legal rep-

Runners understand water — with-

inspirational mentors and captains,

resentation.

out it, no one survives. Women and

helpful staff, and dedicated team-

children walk on-average 10 kilome-

mates who are with you every step of

ters to collect water that carries life-

the way. The community of support,

threatening diseases. Children miss

array of sports training options, and

Lupus LA (SLE Lupus Foundation, DBA Lupus LA) Team Life without Lupus is proud to be an official charity of the ASICS LA Marathon. Our team provides ath-

TEAM TO END AIDS (T2) TEAM TO END AIDS (T2), the

420,000 participants, from first-

Team World Vision

timers to seasoned athletes, to com-

letes with an opportunity to make

endurance event training program of

school, and the number one source

the lifesaving cause make TNT an

new friends and reach their health

AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) is

for kidnapping is the route for water.

unparalleled sports training program.

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Providing the support you need to succeed LA Roadrunners program trains, inspires marathoners to finish strong ark C. Minichiello never thought he could run 5 miles, let alone 26.2, but that was before he joined LA Roadrunners, the official six-month group training program of the ASICS LA Marathon.

Now Minichiello is a marathon fanatic, having run five over the last three years, including one in Rome, and he credits his success to the program and the fellow Roadrunners who have become members of his extended family.

“I can tell you on a Saturday morning in January when it is 49 degrees down at the beach and your bed is nice and warm, the

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furthest thing from your mind is running,” the Culver City resident said. “But you don’t want to let your group down.”

Thousands of men and women of all races and fitness levels sign up for the LA Roadrunners training program every September to help prepare both physically and mentally for the ASICS LA Marathon. They wake up before the sun every Saturday for 26 weeks straight, lace up their running shoes and head to the Venice Boardwalk to meet up with others who have the same goal, to do what very few in this world have — finish a

marathon.

“On those long runs, the power of the group is amazing,” Minichiello said. “There are numerous times when you want to quit at 10 or 12 miles instead of running 16, but the group gets you to the finish line.

“I never thought I could run a marathon until the LA Roadrunners. They said I could, and I did.”

Participants start off with a test run of 3.5 miles so professionals can assess their fitness levels and running styles. From there runners are placed in various pace groups ranging from 8-

to 16-minute miles. There’s a pace for every runner, regardless of previous running experience.

Over the course of the program some runners will have covered 800 miles.

Runners are taught principles of the Arthur Lydiard school of training, which is a combination of aerobic and anaerobic running.

The running season is divided into blocks and each weekend runners go different distances, gradually working themselves up to a 20-mile run before scaling back just before the race. There SEE ROADRUNNERS PAGE 61

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ROADRUNNERS FROM PAGE 60 are special hill training exercises led by elite runners and even a unique shoe-lacing system developed by the late Lydiard, lauded as one of the most outstanding athletic coaches of all time and is credited with popularizing the sport of running.

“One of the common threads is just a long, easy run on weekends followed by shorter runs during the week,” said LA Roadrunners Coach Andrew Kastor, who has spent 15 years as a competitive runner and has trained some of the world’s finest athletes. (Kastor’s wife, Deena Kastor, won the bronze at the 2004 Olympics and holds the American marathon record for women, will be featured in this year’s ASICS LA Marathon.) “It’s all about getting that time on your feet.”

But being off your feet is important, too. While Andrew Kastor encourages runners to stick to their routines, if they miss a day he does not recommend trying to go hard the next time out. Doubling the workload to make up for a missed session can lead to injury and extended recovery periods, taking time away from training.

“We like to give runners a dose of what the reality of race day is, but we don’t want them to run too hard for too long. It’s all about getting you to the start line happy and healthy,” he said.

“Runners basically just have to show up [on Saturdays] and be ready to go and then the pace setters do the rest of the work for you. There’s really a great team of people to help and support the athletes.”

Kastor’s keys to success include getting the right pair of

shoes. He recommends going to a specialty store where an expert can examine a runner’s stride to see which type of shoe would fit best since every brand is designed differently.

After that he recommends joining a group like LA Roadrunners so a runner can stay motivated and get educated in the sport.

“If you can afford to hire a coach it really makes the process much more enjoyable,” he said.

A coach or group helps runners not only prepare physically for the race, but mentally as well.

Believing that you can accomplish the task at hand is just as important as having the muscles to propel you to the finish line.

“Both your mind and body should develop at the same time,” Andrew Kastor said.

On a more practical note, joining LA Roadrunners helps people navigate the craziness that is race day, said Mitchell Jacoves, 52, a five-year marathon veteran who started running thanks to his daughter.

“The day of the marathon can be daunting,” he said. “You don’t know what to expect. It’s you and 25,000 other people so it helps to be with people who know the routine, know all the logistics. It can be overwhelming just showing up at Dodger Stadium at 5 in the morning.”

Reyna Hernandez, 30, of Encino, Calif. was like a lot of Roadrunners when she first joined the training program four years ago. She didn’t believe she could run a marathon, but after six months found herself at the ASICS LA Marathon finish line, her body and mind in synch as she felt like there was nothing that could stop her from accomplishing any goal she set for herself.

“I felt so good that I thought I could run another marathon right then and there,” she said.

Not only did the program help her complete the marathon, it also helped her compete in other areas of her life.

“The program totally changed me for the better,” said Hernandez, who now serves as a

pace leader for fellow Roadrunners. “Now I feel like I can tackle any challenge. It teaches you discipline.”

And the best part is you make plenty of friends along the journey. It’s not uncommon for pace groups to get together for brunch following a training session.

Others take it a step further and travel overseas together to compete in marathons.

“I put out a call to a couple of people [about a marathon in Rome] and the next thing I know there is a group of us going,” Minichiello said. “It’s very surreal running through Vatican Square with a group of friends wondering, ‘How the heck did I get here.””

Easy, just put one foot in front of the other and never look back.

“I’m living proof that anyone can run a marathon,” he said.

“You never know unless you try.”

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Feature presentations Stadium to the Sea route a cinematic adventure he first movie shot in Los Angeles was filmed over 100 years ago, and moviemakers have not stopped using the City of Angels as a backdrop ever since.

The city’s unique feel and diverse locations have been used in comedies, crime dramas and more. If you’re looking for the location of an old favorite or seeking the setting of the next movie you watch, keep an eye on the city; Los Angeles was made for the movies.

The ASICS LA Marathon’s Stadium to the Sea route is a

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prime example of the area’s rich history in film. The following locations along the route have all had their close-ups:

Dodger Stadium The race begins at Dodger Stadium, which was memorably used as a location for the baseball scenes in the slapstick comedy “The Naked Gun.” Other films featuring the stadium include the apocalyptic classic “The Omega Man” and the original “The Fast And The Furious.”

Chinatown Although Roman Polanski’s iconic neo-noir “Chinatown” made obvious use of its namesake, other films have borrowed Chinatown’s mix of exotic and hometown feel.

Crime and action dramas “Gangster Squad,” “Rush Hour” and “Lethal Weapon 4” all made memorable use of the L.A. setting.

Hollywood Hollywood is still the location of Paramount Studios, the city’s last remaining classic movie studio. Paramount was the filming

place of some of the industry’s biggest movies and TV series, including “The Artist,” “Rear Window,” “Breakfast At Tiffany’s,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “Glee.”

Shot at both Paramount Studios and around Hollywood was film noir legend “Sunset Boulevard,” named after one of L.A.’s most iconic streets and a true piece of cinematic immortality. The streets of Hollywood also served as the set of 1953’s “The SEE MOVIES PAGE 65

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MOVIES FROM PAGE 64 War Of The Worlds,” L.A.’s original disaster movie.

West Hollywood David Lynch’s head spinning meta-film “Mulholland Drive” and the uniquely Los Angeles crime drama “L.A. Confidential” featured some scenes in West Hollywood, as well as in and around the city.

Quentin Tarantino’s cult masterpiece “Pulp Fiction.”

Century City The ASICS LA Marathon route runs right across Avenue of the Stars, which contains the infamous Fox Plaza; as well as Fox Studios headquarters, Fox Plaza houses the building used as the setting for 1988’s explosive action classic “Die Hard.”

Santa Monica Beverly Hills How can you think of Beverly Hills without thinking of “Beverly Hills Cop.” The Eddie Murphy comedy was shot right on the streets of Beverly Hills. Also shot around the Hills were the romantic comedy “Pretty Woman” and

Santa Monica has been a popular location for filming since the early days of cinema. Caper comedies “Get Shorty” and “Ocean’s Eleven” were shot in the city. “The Truth About Cats And Dogs” made use of Palisades Park, and the Santa Monica Pier

2013 ASICS LA MARATHON

was featured in key scenes in 1971’s “The Sting,” 1994’s “Forrest Gump,” and more recently, 2008’s “Iron Man.” Finally, it is fitting that the end of the ASICS LA Marathon happens on Ocean Avenue in down-

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town Santa Monica, since that’s the same spot the madcap marathon in the 1963 epic comedy “It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” came to its cacophonous conclusion.

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By The Numbers 4 Cities and the Veterans’ Administration on ‘Stadium to the Sea’ course

401 feet

6,000

course elevation decrease

Volunteers

Bagels

50 States

50 pounds

represented

of Vaseline

61 Countries represented

185 Legacy

505 Portable toilets

3000+ Students Run LA members

55,000 Gallons of water

3,300 charities

32,500 Bananas

participants

81 Official

25,000

Band-Aids

5,200 Ibuprofen tablets

1,220,000 Cups

10 Medical stations

20 Neighborhoods

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