2010 HONDA LA Marathon Runner and Spectator Guide

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2010 Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss Runner and Spectator Guide

www.lamarathon.com

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2010 Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss Runner and Spectator Guide

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2010 Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss Runner and Spectator Guide

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About this publication

Contents

2010 Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss Runner and Spectator Guide

2010 Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss Runner and Spectator Guide Welcome

A landmark every mile

Racing for the cause

Messages to all participants, friends, family and fans Page 6

New route traverses the region’s most iconic sites Page 16

Charity running teams raise awareness, funds through participation Page 28

Spectator guide

Lay of the land

Leading the pack

Find your way around the LA Marathon's key events Page 8

A map of this year's new Stadium to the Sea course Page 20

LA Roadrunners transform spectators into marathoners Page 30

Version 2.0

The message

A revamped route from the Stadium to the Sea gives the venerable race renewed life Page 10

LA Marathon goes high-tech to reach the masses Page 22

Classic race, classic town

Sponsoring change

Field of elite runners

Honda, K-Swiss partner with the LA Marathon to create a new vision Page 12

38 world-class competitors will join the 2010 race Page 24

A world of benefits

A quarter century of dedication

Charity groups join the LA Marathon to improve the community Page 14

Whether they run, walk or wheel over the finish line, these Legacy Runners are an inspiration Page 26

Santa Monica Classic gives the City by the Sea a signature sporting event Page 31

Running toward success Students Run LA gives at-risk youths the opportunity to think big Page 32

This Runner and Spectator Guide has been created as a joint venture between the Santa Monica Daily Press and the Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss.

It was produced to give runners and spectators of this historic event an opportunity to learn more about the LA Marathon. It speaks to all aspects of the race: competition, charity, the new route and the diverse community that it serves.

We hope you enjoy the publication as well as race day.

Editor: Daniel Archuleta Designer: Darren Ouellette Writers: Audrey Allen, Miriam Finder, Melody Hanatani, Kevin Herrera, Natalie Jarvey, Tito Morales, Nick Taborek, Taylor Van Arsdale Photographers: Samuel Hernandez, Brandon Wise Publisher: Ross Furukawa Sales Manager: Rob Schwenker Special thanks: Peter Abraham, Dave Klewan, Amber Kessee, Beth Liberty, Russ Pillar, Connie Sommerville, Grace Wang, Ginger Williams, Scott Zubor

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Tearing down the wall Coach Pete Carroll inspires runners to ‘Win Forever’ Page 34

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2010 Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss Runner and Spectator Guide

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Welcome to the 2010 Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss To all participants, friends, family and fans, Putting it together required the cooperation of four great cities — Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica, not to mention the U.S. Government on behalf of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ property in West Los Angeles. It was, as more than one elected official has told me, an accomplishment of historic proportion, one all too rarely seen in Southern California.

Getting this race produced took the best effort for the better part of a year of a group of tireless, passionate, dedicated Marathon staffers. We like to think we rose to Frank McCourt’s challenge to build a race of which all Los

Angelenos can be proud, one that, true to our mission statement, “inspires athletes and connects communities.” We hope you agree.

Whether you’re running, walking, cheering, or watching, we appreciate your support and encourage you to join us on Sunday, March 21st as we wind our way from the Stadium to the Sea. Thanks! ©2009 Rich Cruse/richcruse.com

his year’s race is historic in many ways.

While the race distance is still 26.2 miles, we’ve never had so many participants, so many volunteers, so many official charities planning to raise so much money, so many expected spectators, nor such a large anticipated television audience.

Most outstanding, however, is that we’ve never run such a magnificent route. Dubbed “the Stadium to the Sea,” this year’s course passes some of the great icons of Los Angeles — from Dodger Stadium to Disney Hall, Mann’s Chinese Theater to Madame Tussauds, Rodeo Drive to the Santa Monica Pier.

T

Russ Pillar PRESIDENT, LA MARATHON LLC

PILLAR

VILLARAIGOSA

LAND

DELSHAD

BEITER

O’CONNOR

Los Angeles

West Hollywood

Beverly Hills

VA Greater Los Angeles

Santa Monica

On behalf of the City of Los Angeles, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to the 2010 Los Angeles Marathon.

For over 20 years, the Los Angeles Marathon has been a wonderful opportunity for runners and spectators of diverse backgrounds to come together and celebrate in the spirit of sportsmanship.

It is always an honor and a delight to have our great city as the backdrop for this wonderful event. Good luck to all participants!

I extend my best wishes for a memorable celebration.

Very truly yours,

We are truly excited about the LA Marathon running through West Hollywood.

The runners will really enjoy a route that takes them down West Hollywood’s legendary Sunset Strip before heading over to the equally famous Santa Monica Boulevard.

Our business community is working to maximize their visibility as they best serve residents and visitors alike on race day. It’s going to be a great marathon for all involved.

The Friendly City of Beverly Hills is thrilled to be part of the Honda LA Marathon and to welcome runners and visitors to our city, especially to the Golden Triangle, home to some of the most recognized landmarks and famous streets in the world.

The marathon is providing a unique opportunity to connect the communities of Los Angeles. This is a terrific occasion for Beverly Hills to join with our neighbors to celebrate and showcase our vitality, diversity and unique spirit. Bravo La Marathon!

Beverly Hills looks forward to hosting runners and fans on March 21st.

Best of luck to all of the athletes!

Greetings on behalf of VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System! We are extremely excited to participate in the 2010 LA Marathon. The exciting “Stadium to the Sea” route is brilliant and truly highlights what Los Angeles has to offer. We feel that our WLA Medical Center campus adds to the route’s mantra of “a landmark every mile” as we have been here since 1888 providing excellent healthcare to our veterans.

We are proud to represent the VA and to be an active partner in this memorable event. Good luck to all participants!

We’re very excited about this year’s LA Marathon.

Santa Monica’s sea breezes, breathtaking views of the ocean and the iconic Santa Monica Pier will reenergize runners as they approach the finish line.

We welcome marathon participants and friends and family to Santa Monica to dip into this part of paradise. As an active, healthy community, it’s a point of pride for Santa Monica to be able to host an event like this. We look forward to celebrating the runners’ accomplishments and truly believe in what the marathon stands for — cultivating the best of the human spirit in the challenge of life.

Antonio R. Villaraigosa MAYOR, LOS ANGELES

Abbe Land MAYOR, WEST HOLLYWOOD

Donna Beiter R.N., M.S.N. DIRECTOR

Pam O’Connor Jimmy Delshad MAYOR, BEVERLY HILLS

MAYOR PRO TEM, SANTA MONICA

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Buy Local Santa Monica congratulates the par ticipants in this year’s marathon.

We welcome you to stay and enjoy the day with our local restaurants and retailers.

To celebrate your outstanding accomplishment in the inaugural run of the new “Stadium to the Sea” course, many of our local businesses are offering special deals for runners and friends.

You don’t have to run much further to find one...in fact, why don’t you just walk?

Buy in Santa Monica and keep your community going strong.

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2010 Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss Runner and Spectator Guide

Start line info • LOCATION: Dodger Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Ave., Los Angeles, Calif.

• •

DATE:

March 21, 2010

PARKING:

None

WORD TO THE WISE:

• TELEVISION COVERAGE: KTLA, Channel 5

Arrive early

Expo info The race itself is only half the fun. The new LA Marathon Expo will be held Friday, March 19 and Saturday, March 20 at Dodger Stadium adjacent to the Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss Starting Line. Featuring interactive exhibits, live entertainment, the Official LA Marathon Merchandise Store, product trials and all things marathon, the LA Marathon Expo is one of the highlights of race weekend.

• LOCATION: Dodger Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Ave., Los Angeles, Calif.

• DATES: March 19 & 20 • TIMES: Friday, March 19: 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, March 20: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

• PARKING: On site.

Expo speakers schedule Friday, March 19 • 2 p.m. Strategies for a Strong Finish by Sarah Reinertsen Sarah Reinertsen is an athlete, motivational speaker, mentor and author. Missing her leg above the knee since the age of seven, Sarah has never let that stop her from pursuing any challenge to meet her goals, and she’s the first woman on a prosthetic leg to finish the Ironman World Championships in Kona. Sarah shares her story and motivates others to realize their potential.

Finish line info • LOCATION: Corner of Ocean Ave. and Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, Calif.

• PARKING: On-site & nearby parking structures on Second and Fourth streets (Prices vary)

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• Runners are to park in Santa Monica.

To purchase parking, visit www.thepermitstore.com/sm/event •

• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: www.lamarathon.com/event/ spectator-guide

www.lamarathon.com

RADIO COVERAGE:

KLAC AM570

• STARTING TIMES: Wheelchair start time: 6:55 a.m.

Hand cycles: 7 a.m.

Elite Women: 7:07 a.m.

Elite men & full field: 7:25 a.m.

• 3:00 p.m. Crossing the bridge, Chasing the American Dream...How I became a World Record Holder by Arturo Barrios Arturo Barrios is a former world record holder in the 10K and 20K distance, and he was the first man to go under one hour for the half marathon distance.

• 4 p.m. Life’s Run — Inspiration and Motivation for the 25th Anniversary LA Marathon by Rod Dixon Rod, the LA Marathon Director of Training, is an international running legend. In addition to winning the bronze medal in the 1500 at the 1972 Munich Olympics, Rod won the 1983 New York Marathon and was a force in distance running for over 15 years in every distance from 800 up to marathon. He directs our LA Roadrunners training program and Rod Dixon’s KidsMarathon.

• 5 p.m. Unleashing Your Mental Running Strength Through Visualization by Steve Mackel, CHt, Head Coach Sole Runners Full and Half Marathon Training Program Using visualization, and other mental training techniques, Steve Mackel, Certified Hypnotherapist and Head Coach of Sole Runners Full and Half Marathon Training Programs, takes participants through a guided visualization of their upcoming race, gives race day tips, increasing self-confidence and overall race day strength.

6 p.m. Race Day & Recovery Nutrition by Matt Mahowald Matt is the founder and President of New Performance Nutrition as well as a consultant to athletes, celebrities and corporations. His expert advice has guided countless amateur and professional athletes to breakthrough performances.

New Performance Nutrition LA 5K info The NPN LA 5K Run/Walk takes place on Saturday, March 20, 2010, in conjunction with the 25th Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss.

For the first time ever, the NPN LA 5K will serve as the official warm up race to Sunday’s marathon. Starting at the official marathon starting line, an estimated 4,000 people will start the 3.1 mile NPN LA 5K Run/Walk.

• LOCATION: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, Calif., Lot G •

DATE:

1000 Elysian Park Ave.,

March 20, 2010

• ACCESS: Use Sunset Blvd. or Downtown gates only •

WORD TO THE WISE:

Arrive early

• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: www.lamarathon.com /event/5k-run •

STARTING TIME:

8 a.m.

Finish line beach party

City block party info In 2010, the LA Marathon will be staging city block parties on race day in each of the municipalities at key locations. Each city block party is a large community celebration located directly adjacent to the marathon route providing key viewing of the race. Each city block party is a focal point of race day entertainment with live music, a sponsor village featuring food and beverage sampling, sponsor exhibits and sale of official Honda LA Marathon apparel, radio remotes with top Clear Channel stations and more. Each city block party starts at 7 a.m. and runs through 2 p.m. providing a great location to celebrate with your friends and neighbors.

• LOCATION: Santa Monica Pier, 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, Calif.

• TIME: Conclusion of race • PARKING: On-site & nearby parking structures on Second and Fourth streets (Prices vary) • ENTERTAINMENT: Music from Clear Channel, food and beverage vendors, exhibitors and other interactive exhibits

Party locations

Saturday, March 20

• 2 p.m. Crossing the bridge, Chasing the American Dream...How I became a World Record Holder by Arturo Barrios

• 10 a.m. Race Day & Recovery Nutrition by Matt Mahowald Matt is the founder and President of New Performance Nutrition as well as a consultant to athletes, celebrities and corporations. His expert nutritional advice and supplementation has guided countless amateur and professional athletes to breakthrough performances.

• 11 a.m. ChiRunning® - Learn How to Run Injury Free by Steve Mackel, Certified ChiRunning® Instructor, Head Coach Sole Runners Full and Half Marathon Training Program Since the release of the book ChiRunning® hundreds of thousands of runners have switched to this revolutionary running paradigm.

Through proper body alignment, leg swing and mid-foot landing injuries are reduced. Learn the basic body alignment in this presentation.

• 12 p.m. Achieve Super Endurance by Dean Karnazes Renowned ultramarathoner & NY Times bestselling author Dean Karnazes will discuss ways to train smarter, build strength, recover faster and increase your energy levels. You are sure to benefit from Dean’s tips and insights, whether you run great distances, modest distances, or not at all.

• 1 p.m. Powerade Hydration Clinic Learn all about keeping hydrated during your LA Marathon.

• Mile 11: Hollywood Boulevard and Orange Drive, Hollywood • Mile 13: Sunset Boulevard and Sweetzer Avenue, West Hollywood • Mile 14: Santa Monica Boulevard and Ramage Street, West Hollywood • Mile 16: Burton Way

Arturo Barrios is a former world record holder in the 10K and 20K distance, and he was the first man to go under one hour for the half marathon distance.

• 3 p.m. Life’s Run — Inspiration and Motivation for the 25th Anniversary LA Marathon by Rod Dixon Rod, the LA Marathon Director of Training, is an international running legend. In addition to winning the bronze medal in the 1500 at the 1972 Munich Olympics, Rod won the 1983 New York Marathon and was a force in distance running for over 15 years in every distance from 800 up to marathon. He directs our LA Roadrunners training program and Rod Dixon’s KidsMarathon.

• 4 p.m. Strategies for a Strong Finish by Sarah Reinertsen Sarah Reinertsen is an athlete, motivational speaker, mentor and author. Missing her leg above the knee since the age of seven, Sarah has never let that stop her from pursuing any challenge to meet her goals, and she’s the first woman on a prosthetic leg to finish the Ironman World Championships in Kona. Sarah shares her story and motivates others to realize their potential.

www.lamarathon.com

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LA Marathon version 2.0 A new route from the ‘Stadium to the Sea’ gives the venerable event renewed life iding a double decker bus isn’t the only option to catch the sights of the city.

Try a pair of running shoes.

Dotting the new 26.2 mile course for the 25th annual Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss are the jewels of the local landscape, the landmarks on a tourist’s itinerary that grace the cover of travel magazines and postcards, representing the lifestyle for which the area is famous, from Grauman’s Chinese Theatre to the Sunset Strip to Rodeo Drive.

It’s part of a vision that emerged when entrepreneur and Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt in 2008 purchased what was then a declining race, hoping to revive a civic asset and elevate its prestige through a stronger focus on community involvement and philanthropy, a new marketing direction that places a heavier emphasis on social networking, and the highlight of it all, the new point-to-point route.

A newly assembled leadership team led by former Viacom Digital Media Group CEO Russ Pillar and film and TV commercial producer Peter Abraham penned a mission statement to inspire athletes and connect communities, developing from it a collaborative event that would be built on the foundation of engaging the marathon’s various

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constituents, including the runners, charities, local government officials and residents of the cities that will host the race — Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica.

For marathon officials, this new philosophy meant meeting with business improvement organizations, convention and visitors bureaus, churches, neighborhood groups and city officials to present and ultimately seek support.

The proposal was wellreceived.

“The thought of seeing these athletes run, walk, and go 26 miles to me is just amazing and Beverly Hills will greet them with open arms, water and cheers as we motivate them to continue on their journey,” Nancy Krasne, recent mayor of Beverly Hills, said.

Community involvement also meant reaching out to numerous charities, going to bat for more than 60 different groups that will be the beneficiaries of an estimated $2 million that the marathon is predicted to raise this year, an increase from $1.3 million last year for 30 charities.

Organizers are paying special attention to coverage and access on the day of the race, broadcasting live on KTLA and KLAC AM570.

The marathon has also partnered with eight Clear Channel radio stations that will host the block parties for spectators at Hollywood SEE ROUTE PAGE 36

Photo courtesy LA Marathon

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Sponsoring change Honda, K-Swiss partner with the LA Marathon to create a new vision of the historic race ntrigued by the notion of a re-envisioned Honda LA Marathon presented by KSwiss, Honda American Motors has strengthened its ties to the event by agreeing to become the race’s first title sponsor.

The Torrance-based company has been involved with the LA Marathon for 14 years as the presenting sponsor, but this year, the auto maker decided it was time to increase its commitment by signing on to become the title sponsor.

“As we informed Honda of the new vision that we had, we also said that we wanted them to be involved in a much larger way and really with us on the forefront of reshaping this marathon for the future,” said David Klewan, the LA Marathon’s partnership director.

As title sponsor, Honda will benefit from increased exposure, with branded mile markers and signage along the route.

“They have a much larger scope of involvement from onsite exposure, integration into our media and marketing effort, integration in our television broadcasts, and their brand is much more closely married with our brand then it has been in years past,” Klewan said.

Stepping into the role of presenting sponsor is footwear and apparel maker K-Swiss.

K-Swiss, a Westlake Village-based company

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founded more than 40 years ago, has traditionally been viewed as a tennis shoe company. Over the last year and a half, they have expanded into the running and endurance category.

“We feel the new management team and the new ‘Stadium to the Sea’ course has the potential to take this event to the next level.

The Honda LA Marathon is a great event that promises to become a signature event for Southern California and we’re proud to be associated with it.”

Erik Wedin, MANAGER OF HONDA’S CORPORATE COMMUNITY RELATIONS

In an interview with “RunBlogRun,” David Nichols, K-Swiss executive vice president said, “Our partnership with the LA Marathon is a carefullyplanned part of our commitment to the running SEE SPONSORS PAGE 13

Photo courtesy LA Marathon

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2010 Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss Runner and Spectator Guide

“I’LL BE TIMING MY RUN IN THE MARATHON WITH A WATCH Photo courtesy LA Marathon

Sponsors market. Both K-Swiss and the LA Marathon are storied entities that have retained a sense of fun. We look forward to bringing the best of the California lifestyle to the LA Marathon and its runners.”

The relationship with the LA Marathon enables KSwiss to further build its brand in the performance running space, said Bryan Ogle, director of business development for K-Swiss.

K-Swiss’ role as presenting sponsor and official footwear and apparel provider is to assist the marathon in its

said. “We are driven to design running shoes that set us apart and enable us to help people find the joy in running.”

But the participation from these sponsors may never have come to pass had it not been for the visionary efforts of the team at the LA Marathon and the establishment of a new route.

The new vision starts from a route that shifts from being a loop around Downtown Los Angeles to a route dubbed, “Stadium to the Sea,” that begins at historic Dodger Stadium and culminates with a endof-race party at the iconic Santa Monica Pier.

“Honda was very

development of a new line of LA Marathon-branded merchandise. Additionally, the K-Swiss Expo Tent will display the company’s performance running lines on race day.

K-Swiss sees running as a natural extension to its brand.

“The great thing about running is that there is very little gear required and you can do it just about anywhere. To that end, we have on staff several ‘real’ runners working on product design,” Ogle

excited about the new vision that we had for this race. They were very excited about the commitment that we had made to elevating the civic asset and wanted to be alongside us at a high level as title sponsor of the event to help us usher in this new era for our next 25 years here,” said Klewan.

That sentiment is shared by the marathon’s partners.

“We feel the new management team and the new ‘Stadium to the Sea’ course has the potential to take this event to the next level,” Erik Wedin, manager of Honda’s corporate community relations, said.

“The Honda LA Marathon is a great event that promises to become a signature event for Southern California and we’re proud to be associated with it.”

FROM PAGE 12

FROM THE

EDWARD AVEDIS COLLECTION”

– AVO GUERBOIAN Santa Monica’s Largest Family Owned Jewelry Store Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm 331 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica • 2 Hours Free Parking (Behind Store)

310.451.1349 • www.readersjewelers.com

Eddie Guerboian GOLDSMITH – DESIGNER

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2010 Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss Runner and Spectator Guide

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A world of benefits Charity groups partner with the LA Marathon to improve the community ure, the Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss is a race, but it is really so much more.

Instead of just being a sporting event, the marathon presents an opportunity to give back to the community it runs through.

This year, 60 charities are involved with the LA Marathon — more than ever before — with groups either fielding their own teams of runners or promoting their activities at race-related events.

The new emphasis on partnering with charities is part of the LA Marathon’s goal of building lasting relationships across the Southern California community. With tens of thousands of spectators drawn to the race, for many non-profits the LA Marathon offers a marquee way to build their brands and spread the word about their charitable activities.

Making charities a signature part of the race this year was a job entrusted to Ginger Williams, the director of community relations at the LA Marathon. In a difficult economy, she knows nonprofit groups need all the assistance they can get.

“The support that we give them is crucial,” she said. “They use this as a ways to raise means for all facets of their programs.”

Last year, the LA Marathon raised more than $1 million for charity, Williams said, and this year the hope is to reach the $2 million mark.

The roster of charities that benefit from partnering with the LA Marathon includes groups focusing on virtually every aspect of community service.

Participating organizations work on everything from environmental protection, to cancer research to mentoring at-risk youths.

The biggest charity involved in this year’s LA Marathon is the National AIDS Marathon Training Program, which is raising money for AIDS Project Los Angeles. The group offers a six-month training program for would-be marathoners designed to build endurance while raising

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Benefitting Charities ThinkCure!

Students Run LA

Participating Charities A Better LA Ability First AIDS Marathon American Cancer Society ARC Asian Pacific American Legal Center Beit T’Shuvah CAST Child s-h-a-r-e Chrysalis Concern Foundation Epilepsy Foundation

Photos courtesy AbilityFirst

Great Leap, Inc. The Harmony Project

money to support its mission. The group boasts that 98 percent of those enrolled in their program, which is geared toward both beginning and veteran runners, finish the marathon. This unique program also offers support from coaches, staff members

and fellow runners.

Plenty of much smaller charities also are working to promote valuable causes through participation in the marathon.

Take, for example, Noah’s Wish, a not-forprofit animal welfare organization that works to keep animals alive during disasters.

Founded in 2002, the group aims to care for the most often overlooked members of society in times of crisis and recognizes that animals deserve an organized,

consistent and professionally managed national disaster relief program.

Catherine Dudman, a marathoner and Noah’s Wish volunteer, said she saw the LA Marathon as a great opportunity to promote her organization this year especially because of publicity surrounding the race’s new route from downtown to the sea.

“It’s an honor to be picked as

one of two animal charities this year.” she said. “I must say I am really proud of what we have accomplished. We have 14 runners/walkers taking part in the 5K and eight people in the actual marathon, myself included. Our fundraising goal is a very ambitious $15,000 and right now we are just shy of $9,000.”

In disaster-prone Southern California, she said she hopes her group’s work resonates with the public.

“We live in an earthquake zone, we have wildfires, floods, mudslides etc., and there are so many animals out there that need our help when a disaster

hits. The LA Marathon has been an incredible opportunity for us, as there are so many animal loving people in this town.”

While the marathon is always happy to welcome newcomers onboard, it’s especially proud of a charity that’s been in it for the long haul, partnering with the race every year since its inception a quarter century ago.

Called AbilityFirst, the group provides programs and services to nearly 2,000 children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities like autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, epilepsy and other neurological disorders.

“Being an official charity of the Los Angeles Marathon helps us continue to build and enhance our programs, especially during these tough economic times. In the last 5-6 years alone, AbilityFirst has raised nearly $1 million dollars and the event is a muchanticipated activity among our program participants and their families,” said Carolyn Aguayo, communications director for AbilityFirst.

The marathon is also, she said, “a wonderful opportunity for the individuals we serve to walk, run or roll alongside their non-disabled peers at a large community event. [It’s] an inclusive activity that builds bridges and promotes acceptance.”

Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research Inside Out Community Arts LUPUS LA Noah’s Wish Our House The Painted Turtle Public Counsel Real Medicine Foundation Rover Rescue Sojourn SOS Mentor St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Team Heal Team in Training Team Parkinson World Vision Unification of Disabled Latin Americans U.S. Vets Virginia Avenue Project The Wellness Community SPARK The Wildwoods Foundation YWCA

Affiliate Charities A Place Called Home ALS Association American Heart Association American Liver Foundation Blind Childrens Center Foundation Fighting Blindness Frederick Douglass Family Foundation Fregenet Foundation Heal the Bay Hostelling International USA Jenesse Center National Multiple Sclerosis Society Pico Youth & Family Center Rebuilding Together Run to Win Santa Monica PAL Special Olympics Story Project Sunshine Kids Foundation Valley Presbyterian Hospital Foundation Zimmer Children’s Museum

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A landmark every mile New LA Marathon route traverses the region’s most iconic sites

Dodger Stadium, Photo courtesy Los Angeles Dodgers

MILE 1: Dodger Stadium Sitting atop its perch in Chávez 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. It’s best known today as the home of Mannywood and the best all-you-can-eat section in baseball.

MILE 3: 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 where tourists

and shoppers alike find brightly colored piñatas, 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.

MILE 4: Disney Concert Hall Though the skyscrapers that dominate the downtown skyline might dwarf the Disney Concert Hall in size, its unusual design helps the hall hold its own. Designed

by Frank Gehry and constructed with donations from the late Lilian Disney, the stainless steel curves of the building are said to represent the unique energy and creativity of Los Disney Concert Hall, Brandon Wise/wisephotographic.com

SEE LANDMARKS PAGE 18

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Hollywood Sign, Brandon Wise/wisephotographic.com

Landmarks FROM PAGE 16

Angeles. The oak-paneled main auditorium employs state-of-the-art acoustics and seats more than 2,000 guests. First opened in 2003, the hall has hosted numerous philharmonic and choral shows.

MILE 10: Hollywood Sign

Low TESTOSTERONE Levels

CAN BE AS DRAINING AS

RUNNING A MARATHON Get Your Testosterone Back to Healthy Levels AND EXPERIENCE THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS Increase in sex drive Stronger erections Increased sports ability Increase in strength and endurance Increasing enjoyment of life Happiness / joy Increased work performance

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.

Despite minor repairs, the sign wasn’t restored to its original glory until 1978,

when a coalition of Tinsletown’s biggest names, including Fleetwood Mac and Hugh Hefner, came to its rescue. The sign that stands today is a recognized landmark and celebrated its 85th anniversary in 2009.

MILE 13: Chateau Marmont Hotel 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 SEE LANDMARKS PAGE 19

Most Insurances Accepted

Call today to schedule your appointment

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310.979.8378

949.854.8378

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6825 Quail Hill Pkwy, Irvine Chateau Marmont Hotel, Samuel Hernandez/shphotolab.com

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2010 Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss Runner and Spectator Guide

“Don’t just RUN by, stop in for something to eat.

You deserve it”

Beverly Hills City Hall, Samuel Hernandez/shphotolab.com

Landmarks FROM PAGE 18

through the lobby of the hotel, leaving a considerable amount of damage.

MILE 14: 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 gogo dance craze that shook the nation, hiring go-go dancers and DJs to perform. It also 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. Since then, it has hosted diverse acts suck as the Police and Avril Lavigne.

project to bring it up to safety and earthquake codes. Ensuring the preservation of the greenand gold-tiled dome and marble floors, the renovation also increased the office space. The architectural

Completion of a Marathon deserves admiration as does a haircut at Don’s Cutting Edge 2918 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica Call for an appointment 310.315.1098

Beverly Hills Sign, Samuel Hernandez/shphotolab.com

MILE 16: 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 1980s, Beverly Hills embarked on a renovation

style has since inspired the design for the new Beverly Hills Civic Center.

MILE 16: Rodeo Drive This famous shopping district is known for SEE LANDMARKS PAGE 25

Whisky A Go Go, Samuel Hernandez/shphotolab.com

Tues-Fri: 9-6pm Sat: 8-5pm Appointments not required.

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The message LA Marathon goes high-tech to reach the masses or all the people who use Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, blogs, or have written on message boards, they have something in common with the Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss.

Although busy planning a city-spanning race, marathon officials take the time to use all of these social media forms to stay connected.

“We’re trying to get into the everyday lives of our participants,” said Beth Liberty, LA Marathon environmental and creative coordinator. “We’re trying to create community.”

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The rundown • www.facebook.com Search:

"LA Marathon" • twitter.com/LaMarathon • www.flickr.com/photos/lamarathon • www.lamarathon.com

Each new media outlet lends itself to a unique form of communication, allowing the information to reach a wide array of demographics.

Using social media also promotes better communication with the marathon community, from runners to volunteers to local government officials.

Social media aids the process of getting out important information, like the course map or parking locations, in a timely and effective manner.

“I don’t know how we would get these little pieces of information out,” Liberty said. “People get little snippets of the marathon in different ways.”

With tools like Twitter, Liberty can post any new detail that arises and

quickly reach the marathon’s more than 3,000 followers. Even if information takes a week to make it into a blog post it can be tweeted in

SEE SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE 23

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SOCIAL MEDIA FROM PAGE 22

seconds to participants across the city.

The marathon's YouTube channel gives viewers access to videos promoting the race, clips of authors discussing running books, and pods about charity running groups, to name a few. There are over 50

2010 Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss Runner and Spectator Guide videos posted on the marathon’s channel.

On Flickr, marathon fans can browse pictures of the Los Angeles Roadrunners training group or images of a nutrition coach's lecture.

Liberty said much of the Flickr content is usergenerated, so people are encouraged to submit their own photos from marathonrelated events.

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One of the most valuable tools offered by social media sites is the opportunity to cross promote. For instance, if Liberty posts a new YouTube video, they can provide a link on their Facebook page. Through this type of cross-linking, viewers of each individual outlet can access other race media, broadening their marathon knowledge

and involvement.

Social media drives the information output of marathon officials, and has proven to be effective.

The marathon’s Twitter feed gets an average of 15 to 20 new followers a day.

Not only do social media sites enable marathon officials to get news out, but they also open lines of communication between marathon participants.

Through message boards and the Facebook

account wall, runners can ask questions and have them answered by fellow participants.

“One of the things we like about runners is the conversation they have with each other,” Liberty said.

Through this interaction, marathon officials can better target the information to what runners want to know.

Readers can ask for information on training and nutrition, or how much water to drink

before the race. Race organizers can then tailor blog posts and tweets to fulfill these information requests.

The next step for the marathon is to focus on maintaining the social media sites year-round.

“We really believe this is a living, breathing project,” Liberty said. “The second you start ignoring any of the channels, you’re taking a risk that the people that are tuned in are going to lose interest.”

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2010 Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss Runner and Spectator Guide

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Field of elite runners 38 world-class competitors will join the 2010 Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss highly-competitive race is expected from a compact field of 38 elite runners (as of March 12), with 24 men and 14 women set to race the 26.2-mile "Stadium to the Sea" course. Defending champion and race-record holder Wesley Korir of Kenya is in the field and Kenyan men have won this race for 11 straight years. Russian women have dominated as well, winning five straight times and seven of the last nine.

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Photo courtesy LA Marathon

Elite fields as of March 12, which are subject to change: Men No. | Name | Country | Hometown | Age | Best | Race Affiliation 1 Korir, Wesley KEN Louisville, KY 27 2:08:24 Los Angeles ‘09 Nike 2 Limo, Richard KEN Cheptiget 29 2:06:45 Amsterdam ‘07 Adidas 3 Jufar, Tariku ETH Addis Ababa 25 2:08:10 Hamburg ‘08 Nike 4 Kipkemboi, Laban KEN Eldoret 32 2:08:38 Seoul ‘07 Saucony 5 Tarus, David KEN Iten 32 2:09:24 Eindhoven ‘09 Adidas 6 Matebor, Albert KEN Eldoret 29 2:09:33 Frankfurt ‘07 None 8 Kiplitan, Thomas KEN Eldoret 26 2:10:05 Rotterdam ‘06 Saucony 9 Samoei, Paul KEN Burnt Forest 26 2:10:09 Venice ‘09 Adidas 10 Adilo, Kasine ETH Addis Ababa 31 2:10:20 Toronto ‘07 Nike 12 El Boumlili, Khalid MAR Sidi Kassem 31 2:10:35 Boston ‘08 Nike 13 Kibet, Sammy KEN Iten 28 2:11:08 Marrakech ‘09 None 15 Chemitei, Thomas KEN Kapngetuny 31 2:09:21 Eindhoven ‘05 None 16 Nekatibebe, Tekesete ETH Addis Ababa 30 2:12:00 Enschede ‘08 Nike 17 Kipyego, Sylvester KEN Iten 28 2:13:27 Reims ‘09 Nike 18 Fagan, Martin IRE Flagstaff, AZ 26 2:14:06 Dubai ‘08 Reebok 19 Koech, Gilbert KEN Iten 29 2:14:39 San Antonio ‘09 None 20 Chirlee, Joseph KEN Atlanta, GA 29 2:15:55 Houston ‘08 MarathonGuide.com 21 Batres, Mark USA Rowland Heights, CA 25 2:19:07 Las Vegas ‘07 None 22 Carballo, Carlos USA Thousand Palms, CA 27 2:19:12 L.A. ‘06 None 23 Patananan, Justin USA Palmdale, CA 29 2:20:19 Chicago ‘06 Nike Team Run LA 24 Livingston, Brian USA L.A., CA 32 2:21:34 L.A. ‘09 Nike Team Run LA 25 Ondara, Macdonald KEN Iten 25 1:01:11* San Jose ‘07 AmeriKenyan Running Club 26 Middleton, Andrew USA Flagstaff, AZ 26 1:04:48* Austin ‘09 Adidas 27 Kimani, James KEN Nairobi 30 46:42 Kosa 10M ‘01 None * = half-marathon time

Women No. | Name | Country | Hometown | Age | Best | Race Affiliation 51 Kasim, Ashu ETH Addis Ababa 25 2:25:49 Paris '09 None 52 Skvortsova, Silvia RUS Cheboksary 31 2:26:24 Berlin '09 Nike 53 Naser, Teyba ETH Albuquerque, NM 23 2:30:39 Phoenix '10 Adidas 54 Abera, Alemitu ETH Addis Ababa 24 2:31:01 Houston '10 Nike 55 Higgins, Paige USA Flagstaff, AZ 27 2:33:06 Chicago '08 Adidas 56 Kireeva. Elza RUS Ufa 31 2:33:13 Zurich '09 None 57 Duclos. Kim USA Worcester, MA 27 2:38:21 Huntsville '09 Brooks 58 Smith, Cheryl USA Newport Beach, CA 29 2:38:38 Orange Co. '08 Nike Run LA 59 Fernandez. Yolanda COL Bogata 28 2:39:18 Rotterdam ‘08 Atleta Con Porvenir 60 Jefferson, Carol USA Schwenksville, PA 24 2:41:15 Chicago '09 None 61 Chepkorir, Caroline KEN Kericho 22 2:41:48 Baltimore '08 None 62 Somers Smith, Linda USA San Luis Obispo, CA 48 2:30:06 Columbia '96 None 63 Kiplagat, Edna KEN Iten 30 2:50:20 Las Vegas '05 None 64 Mallon, Julia USA Santa Monica, CA 31 2:46:17 Chicago '03 NYAC * = half-marathon time

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Los Angeles Temple, Brandon Wise/wisephotographic.com

Landmarks FROM PAGE 19

embodying the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.

Boutiques, designer shops and haute couture establishments line the three-block shopping district. Rodeo Drive draws its origins from Rancho Rodeo de las Aguas, owned and operated by an early California feminist from 1838-1854. Its development into the go-to celebrity shopping spot began in the 1970s when the boutique Giorgios opened along the street. Some of its most famous establishments today include Gucci, Chanel, Cartier, Coach and YvesSaint-Laurent.

MILE 18: Los Angeles Temple A beacon along Santa Monica Boulevard, the Los Angeles LDS Temple was the largest Mormon temple when it opened in 1951.

Though later surpassed by the Salt Lake Temple, it remains the largest in the state of California. Adorning

the top is the Angel Moroni statue, a common symbol for the Mormon Church, which was originally oriented with the building to face southeast instead of the current east.

MILE 26: 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.

MILE 26: 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 and 1922 when 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 eventually rescinded its decision. Tourists can still find the carousel and amusement park situated atop the pier, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2009.

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2010 Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss Runner and Spectator Guide

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A quarter century of dedication Whether they run, walk or wheel over the finish line, these ‘Legacy Runners’ are an inspiration or the 233 Legacy Runners of the Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss, getting to the starting line for 24 straight years has been anything but easy. But, the group’s members have proven that they will do whatever it takes to finish, and, come March 21, they will once again line up for the 25th time.

“I’ll do anything to cross that line — come rain, hail, wind, fevers, chills — I’ve never quit,” said Albert Pugliese, who, at 86, is recognized as the oldest LA Marathon Legacy Runner.

Pugliese wasn’t always an athlete. In fact he didn’t start running until he was almost 50-years-old.

“I weighed about 240 pounds and was a serious smoker,” he explained. “I couldn’t run a mile, so I threw my cigarettes down and joined a marathon club.”

Pugliese, a retired computer factory manager who now resides in Sun City West, Ariz., described himself as an extremist — when he started running he quickly dropped to 180 pounds and traded in his five-mile jaunts for 26.2mile marathons.

“I got addicted and started competing in five marathons a year; some weeks I ran 100 miles … I’m a little crazy but in all these years I’ve kept it going.”

Pugliese has competed in roughly 68 marathons, and in a 1985 Paris, France marathon, he carried the U.S. banner.

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For other legacies, getting to the start line each and every year has taken an extra bit of power and effort. Legacy Runner Richard Radford, 50, a software engineer manager, finishes his marathons from the confinement of a wheelchair. Radford was hit by a drunk driver when he was 21-years-old and broke his back, paralyzing him from the ribs down.

“Once I realized how injured I was, I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life sedated in my chair, so I started working out.”

Radford said some of the best moments of his life have come while competing in a marathon.

“I’ve pushed through thousands of people, listening to them call out my name and it felt good.”

Radford, unlike the other veterans, does not regularly train. He keeps himself active with short trips around the hills of his neighborhood in El Segundo.

“I am not trying to win the race; if something is important to me I won’t miss it.”

Finishing the marathon every year has been near impossible for Radford. One year his racing chair almost didn’t make the mileage — it was literally falling apart underneath him.

“I had three flat tires, but I managed to cross the finish line with just one good tire left. The thought of ‘I might not make this one’ wasn’t an option for me. I wasn’t going to let my chair

Samuel Hernandez/shphotolab.com

Samuel Hernandez/shphotolab.com

keep me from it,” he said.

Whether wheeling, running, walking or even crawling to cross the finish line, the 205 male and 28 female Legacy Runners all have one thing in common — a personal commitment to finish. Regardless of injury, illness or weather conditions, these athletes have given everything to not only make it to the starting line but to cross it.

“Just get through the first mile,” recommended Pugliese, “and you’ll coast through the rest.”

Pugliese said that on every mile he has a young runner come up to him asking for advice — whether it’s about running shoes or prime athletic wear.

“The shoes won’t finish the race for you and there’s not a pair of shorts in the world that’s going to keep

you going.” (Pugliese, however, swears by one pair of running shorts, which he has worn through every race regardless of rain, hail, sun or wind.)

“I tell the young runners that I don’t believe in giving advice. You are just going to have to find out what’s right for you.”

Pugliese, has nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren but still finds time to workout each day and just recently stopped his routine of 150 push-ups by 7 a.m.

Why do the Legacy Runners, regardless of injury or illness, keep going each year and what exactly do they get out of it?

“Easy,” explained Pugliese, “I have no reason to quit.”

SEE LEGACY PAGE 38

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Racing for the cause Charity running teams raise awareness, funds through participation ll marathon participants go through similar preparations for the big race: training, hydration, proper nutrition and finding the perfect running gear.

But for some runners of this year’s Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss, there is one last step added to the pre-race to-do list — fundraising.

An estimated 1,500 marathon participants will be running for a cause, said Ginger Williams, charity coordinator for the LA Marathon. With 60 official charity teams with local branches in Los Angeles, runners have a wide variety of causes to choose from.

The charities range from Team Parkinson, which raises money for Parkinson’s disease, to Noah’s Wish, an organization dedicated to saving dogs from areas affected by disasters, such as hurricane Katrina.

“Each of them is pretty diverse,” Williams said.

“They’re unique and different as to what their actual goals are.”

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Los Angeles AIDS Marathon The Los Angeles AIDS Marathon team is part of a national organization that trains members to run to raise funds for AIDS/HIV research and treatment. Los Angeles runners raise money for AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA), said Kerry Quakenbush, program director of LA AIDS Marathon.

Photo courtesy Los Angeles AIDS Marathon

Quakenbush said the Los Angeles team has been around since 1998, raising $80 million to fight the AIDS epidemic. AIDS/HIV affects more than 1.2 million Americans and more than 50,000 people in Los Angeles County.

The team has 250 runners this year. The runners register themselves for the marathon and are additionally individually responsible for raising a minimum of $1,600.

“We find about half the people struggle with the running and about half struggle with the fundraising,” Quakenbush

said. “We have running coaches that help them with the physical part and fundraising reps who help them with the fundraising.”

The team members train for five and a half months prior to the marathon.

Runners meet with team trainers once a week and are asked to train on their own twice a week.

Fundraising trainers are on deck to help participants reach their required donations. Additional suggestions for raising money are outlined on the AIDS Project Los Angeles Web site, which suggests techniques such as sending out fundraising letters or throwing fundraising parties.

To recruit runners, Quakenbush said, AIDS Marathon sends out mailers, uses the internet and sets up stands around town. Thanks to these techniques, the program has seen consistent participation over the years.

On the Web Los Angeles AIDS Marathon www.aidsmarathon.com Team World Vision www.worldvision.org Team in Training www.teamintraining.org Sojourn www.opcc.net

Photo courtesy Los Angeles AIDS Marathon

Like any organization’s participants, AIDS Marathon team members aim to use to race to get out the word about the organization, whether through their water stand at mile 15 or the more than 500 volunteers that will be out and about on marathon day.

“People who do our program have a better understanding and awareness for AIDS organizations,” Quakenbush said. “We’re very, very proud to be an official charity of the LA Marathon.”

Team World Vision With the recent disaster in Haiti — a country World Vision is working in to provide relief — the LA Marathon takes on a special significance this year as an outlet for raising additional funds for this devastated country.

“This year we’re doing a duel effort,” said Andrea Wittig, the West Coast director of Team World Vision. “About half our funds are going to Haiti relief and the other half is going to Africa.”

World Vision is a humanitarian organization dedicated to disaster relief and helping developing countries reach sustainability.

SEE CHARITY PAGE 37

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PROUD

SUPPORTER OF THE 2010 MARATHON ATHLETES

Brandon Wise/wisephotographic.com

Leading the pack LA Roadrunners help turn spectators into marathoners hen you think “marathon,” you probably see someone like Rod Dixon in your mind’s eye.

A four-time Olympian who won the New York Marathon in 1983, he’s a super athlete from New Zealand for whom 26.2 miles in a little over 2 hours is just another day at the office.

As the top trainer for the LA Roadrunners, the Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss’ official training group, though, he leads a team that’s concerned with a lot more than simply helping iron men and iron women like himself get their fastest times.

Half of the more-than 1,600 runners who train with the Roadrunners are first timers, so the group’s main priority is to offer a program that appeals to runners from a huge range of experience levels.

You don’t have to be a diehard fitness fanatic to fit in here. You don’t even need to be a runner. You just need a goal and some dedication.

“We have taken people off the couch and had them finish the LA Marathon,” said Salya Mohamedy, another member of the coaching staff.

In the six months leading up to each year’s race, the Roadrunners meet every

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Saturday in Venice to go on training runs along the coast. New recruits join “pace groups” based on their speed. There are walking groups, run/walk groups and progressively faster running groups for every fitness level.

Being part of a group, Roadrunners say, can help you achieve what you never thought was possible as a runner. Plus, it’s just more fun when running is a team sport.

“There is a lot of camaraderie,” said firsttime Roadrunner Ellen Silver. “They make it positive. They make it energetic. They make you believe that you can do it.”

A self-described “middle aged, non-athletic woman,” Silver said this year’s race — her third marathon — is sure to be her fastest yet. In a half-marathon earlier this year she said she had already shaved a minute per mile off her previous best time for that distance thanks to her new training regimen.

Nancy Travis, 48, decided to join the Roadrunners to prepare for her first ever marathon when she learned the new LA Marathon route would lead right by her house in Brentwood.

She’s aiming to clock 11-minute miles to finish the race in under five hours.

For Travis, too, it’s her fellow Roadrunners that motivate her to keep going.

“We’re all going to run the race together, and hopefully that camaraderie will pull us all through,” she said.

Phone: (310) 271-7200

SEE ROADRUNNERS PAGE 36

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Classic race, classic town Santa Monica Classic gives the City by the Sea a signature sporting event hen longtime endurance athlete and current Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss Creative Director Peter Abraham surveyed the Southern California road racing scene back in 2004, he was dismayed to discover that the city of Santa Monica did not stage its own namesake running race.

“I felt that Santa Monica was an important city on the coast, and there were really no major sporting events there of any kind,”

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What: 5th Annual Community 5k & 10k (3.1 & 6.2 mile) Run/Walk

Where: Santa Monica, Calif.

When: May 16, 2010 (5K–7:30 a.m.; 10k–8:00 a.m.)

Details: www.santamonicaclassic.com

Benefits: Heal the Bay

Abraham said.

Abraham immediately went to work to rectify the oversight. He met with civic leaders, the Santa Monica Police Department and various neighborhood groups to share his vision of an innovative race which would not only showcase the best of what the city has to offer, but would also raise awareness for one of his favorite organizations, Heal the Bay “I had a lot of ideas about how I felt the running event experience could be improved,” said Abraham, whose background is in marketing. “Not enough people take time to think about what would be an extraordinary and great experience.”

Initially there were some reservations regarding the logistics of staging such an event in the heart of the city. But it didn’t take long for Abraham to get everyone on board. And

on April 30, 2006 the inaugural Santa Monica Classic was born.

Today the popular 5 and 10 kilometer races, which start on Barnard Way just south of Ocean Park Boulevard and wend their way through some of the city’s most picturesque streets before finishing at the iconic Santa Monica Pier, have been embraced by novice and veteran runners alike.

“The 10k is one of my top two or three favorites,” said Jimmy Dean Freeman, a local athlete and running coach who has competed in hundreds of similar events. “It’s a really fun, well thought-out event.”

Part of the brilliance of this race, according to Freeman and others who have participated in it, is in the attention to details.

Abraham, for instance, went to great lengths to SEE CLASSIC PAGE 38

Photo courtesy Santa Monica Classic

A home for passionate ideas and personal expression since 1971

salutes the athletes of this year’s Marathon

1714 21st Street and 1715 Olympic Boulevard Santa Monica CA 90404 www.xrds.org

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2010 Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss Runner and Spectator Guide

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Brandon Wise/wisephotographic.com

Running toward success Students Run LA gives at-risk youths the opportunity to think big rom mile zero to 26.2, Kelly Moser found affirmation.

Those runs under the late afternoon sun, the at-dawn training sessions while the rest of the city was silent at sleep, and the mental preparation all amounted to a satisfying moment.

“I was so happy,” the Banning High School senior said of crossing the finish line at his first Honda LA Marathon presented by KSwiss in 2008. “I almost felt like I was going to cry because I completed something that I had never done before.”

The months of diligence also paid off well after the race. The commitment to train at least three days a week, setting and accomplishing small goals of reaching the 5k, 10k and 15k markers on the way to the big day, translated to a more meaningful experience in the classroom where Moser’s grades began to soar.

It’s an experience similarly shared by the approximately 42,000

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students who have participated in Students Run LA (SRLA) since the program’s inception in 1989, learning that the winning formula of tenacity and discipline will bring any feat — athletic or academic — within reach.

“The beautiful thing about the program is the connection between the teacher and the student.”

Michelle Hahn, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF STUDENTS RUN LA

“At first I didn’t believe I could (run a marathon) but as the training went on I [realized] I could,” Moser, who plans to run his third marathon with Students Run LA this year, said.

The story of the nonprofit organization begins with Harry Shabazian, a continuation high school teacher in East

Los Angeles who completed the first ever LA Marathon in 1986, a lifechanger that prompted a challenge the following year to a group of students who were deemed as underachievers and headed for trouble — train with him and run in the second annual race.

It turned out to be a transformative experience for Shabazian’s students at Boyle Heights High School where many of the marathon participants not only graduated, but went on to college and employment.

A story that ran in a school newsletter about the students in East L.A. caught the attention of a pair of continuation teachers in Reseda — Eric Spears and Paul Trapani — who in seeking a project to engage their students joined Shabazian in 1988.

With very limited experiences in running longdistances races, Spears and Trapani sought the assistance of Don Bethe, then the kinesiology

Brandon Wise/wisephotographic.com

department chair at California State University Northridge who created training courses and suggested the teachers set small goals for their students.

Recognizing the difficulty of running an entire 26.2 miles in one day, the teachers developed a series SEE STUDENTS PAGE 35

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Tearing down the wall Coach Pete Carroll inspires runners to ‘Win Forever’ o matter how hard you’ve trained nor how determined you think you might be, somewhere along those 26.2 miles, runners of the Honda LA Marathon presented by KSwiss will inevitably hit the proverbial wall.

And who better to help you climb that wall than Pete Carroll, one of the most successful coaches in college football history, leading the University of Southern California Trojans to two national titles and an unprecedented seven consecutive Pac-10 titles.

Carroll, who left USC following the 2009 season to become head coach of the NFL’s Seattle Seahwaks, is playing the role of motivational speaker at the marathon’s “Win Forever” inspiration dinner in Santa Monica, held the day before the big race and hosted by Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill.

Food has traditionally been the main feature of the event, but this year, organizers wanted to try something new. In addition to carbo-loading, Carroll is filling runners with hope, equipping them with the mental tools to succeed.

“The important thing is to realize that you will hit that wall,” Carroll said. “But you also have to realize that it happens to everybody. Everyone who has finished has come to that point somewhere along the way and they have found a way to keep going, one step at a time, feed off of those around you, use their energy and before you know it, you’re crossing the finish line.”

Coach Carroll is all about creating a clear vision of what you want to accomplish and then never losing sight of it, continually referring back to it during the months of training needed to be physically prepared to complete the task at hand.

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What: Win Forever Inspiration Dinner When: March 20, 4:45 p.m.

Where: Just north of the Santa Monica Pier Cost: $35 Register: www.lamarathon.com/training -info/win-forever

Photo courtesy Seattle Seahawks

“You have to trust in yourself, the training and time you’ve put in preparing yourself and stick to the pace you’ve set for yourself. Latch onto someone near you, keep pace with them and always stay positive and be determined.”

Pete Carroll SEATTLE SEAHAWKS HEAD COACH

“That’s the way we did it at USC and what we are going to do [in Seattle],” Coach Carroll said in an interview following the NFL Combine in Indiana. “You have to trust in yourself, the training and time you’ve put in preparing yourself and stick to the pace you’ve set for yourself. Latch onto someone near you, keep pace with them and always stay positive and be determined.”

While it may seem simple, Coach Carroll also stresses the importance of staying hydrated during the race and to get plenty of rest the night before so that

the body can handle the stress. It is also critical to have the appropriate gear.

That means solid shoes and shorts that aren’t going to rub you the wrong way.

“Sometimes it can be the simplest of things, like having the wrong shorts, that can create the biggest problems for you,” Coach Carroll said.

In addition to leading USC’s football program to unprecedented heights, Coach Carroll has used his winning philosophy to create a successful, community-based organization dedicated to improving the lives of innercity youth. A Better LA was founded shortly after Coach Carroll joined the Trojan family. He was driving into work on a Monday morning, his mind consumed by the game plan he was devising to beat arch rival Notre Dame, when he turned on the radio and heard a news report about the gang-style murders of several South Los Angeles teens.

“It seemed like such a terrible waste,” Coach Carroll said of the deaths. “I knew we needed to do something and with the help of a lot of great people we have been able to make a difference in the lives of these kids.”

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Students FROM PAGE 32

of short-term “mileage” goals, all leading to the main prize — the marathon.

“The hope was they would transition that experience from running to the classroom,” Trapani said.

“They began to see with effort and with short-term objectives, the big picture didn’t look so difficult.”

Out of the seven students who signed up that first year with Spears and Trapani, six ran in the marathon. All seven students eventually graduated from high school.

“Our graduation rate was not nearly that good,” Spears said of the school as a whole. “Of those seven, three of them might have made it to graduation [regardless of the marathon].”

Their efforts gained media exposure and the following year, Roberta Weintraub, a member of the board of education, saw the opportunity to expand the program throughout the Los Angeles Unified School District, believing it to be an effective preventative measure for potential high school drop outs.

Popularity exploded as a result and just a few years after it was founded, the program was attracting more than 20 teachers and approximately 220 students.

SRLA has flourished since. More than 95 percent of students who start the marathon complete it and more than 95 percent of seniors who run the race graduate from high school, learning through it all to trust their teachers, find relevancy and meaning in education and begin charting their futures.

“The beautiful thing about the program is the connection between the teacher and the student,” Michelle Hahn, executive director of Students Run LA, said. “It has such an overwhelming impact on the student and they get that sense that somebody actually cares, someone listens to them.”

Abel Navar was a student at Roosevelt High School when he decided to join the SRLA team at Boyle Heights High School where Shabazian was still coordinating the program. Roosevelt did not have an team.

“I had a ton of energy as a teenager but it was all over the place,” Navar said.

2010 Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss Runner and Spectator Guide “I was a little bit of a rebel and a little bit of this and I didn’t have my act completely together.

“When I joined the program and started setting goals, it put things into context. It showed me how to channel my energy into a more productive way.”

Navar is now the coordinator at Boyle Heights High School, taking over after Shabazian stepped down from his leadership duties with the program several years ago.

“The beautiful thing about the program is the connection between the teacher and the student.”

Michelle Hahn, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF STUDENTS RUN LA

“Having been there not only as a student runner but growing up in that neighborhood where I now coach gives me a lot more credibility when it comes to [understanding the students],” Navar said.

The program is active in about 170 middle and high schools in the greater L.A. area, targeting the at-risk population. About 82 percent of participants are Latino or African American.

The training schedule for the students is left at the discretion of the coaches at each school.

Most groups meet three to four days a week from September through March, spending at least eight hours a week together.

Julie Christman, a coach at the James A. Foshay Learning Center, meets with her students three days a week after school and Sundays at 6:45 a.m.

“Sometimes I’m in shock we can get students to show up at that time because I can’t get students to make a test at 6:45 in the morning and the grade is supposed to be their ticket to college,” the math teacher, who has run in the L.A. and Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego marathons, said.

“But they show up to go run and it’s really cool.”

She sees motivation develop in her students as they go through the program, applying newfound confidence to other areas of their life,

improving grades and increasing involvement in school. Her SRLA students have gone on to attend the University of California at Berkeley, UC Davis and California State University, Northridge.

“I was a good student but my confidence was developed through sports and other performancerelated activities,” Christman said. “That’s completely evident in this program.”

The organization raises funds to cover the approximately $300 cost per pupil to participate, which includes nutrition, transportation, shirts, marathon day uniform, socks, two pairs of shoes and fees for smaller training races. The Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss, a partner of SRLA, waives the entry fee of the race.

The students are required to earn some items, most notably the shoes. A doctor’s clearance and several training runs are needed to receive the first pair. The second pair comes when the students complete the 18-mile training race.

The intent is to make sure there’s commitment.

Many first-time marathon runners become repeats.

A senior at Banning High School, Rosa Rodriguez is training for a third consecutive LA Marathon, hoping to shorten her completion time.

She finished the first marathon in 6 hours and 48 minutes, improving to 6 hours and 24 minutes last year. Her goal is to come in at 5 hours and 59 minutes this year.

Rodriguez joined Students Run LA at the suggestion of a friend, looking for an activity to share after school.

Neither were runners so the friends pushed each other to attend practices.

Little by little, runs became easier.

But apprehension and doubts about finishing the race crept in the night before the race, thoughts that kept Rodriguez from sleeping.

“Nobody in my family ever considered running a marathon,” she said. “I was the first to go out there and do it so it was exciting but I was definitely nervous.”

A frame now hangs in the living room of Rodriguez’ home where her parents have hung two marathon completion medals, awaiting a third.

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Route FROM PAGE 10

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Boulevard, the Sunset Strip, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and the Santa Monica Pier. There’s an estimated 70 points of entertainment planned.

“I think the marathon is more plugged into Los Angeles at a street level than it’s ever been before and now it’s incumbent upon us to maintain those relationships and build programs with all the difference constituents involved with the marathon,” Abraham, the creative director, said.

At the heart of the reinvigorated marathon is a new point-to-point route dubbed “Stadium to the Sea,” starting at historic Dodger Stadium, the staging area where on the jumbo screen pre-recorded celebrity messages by NBA star Baron Davis and actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus will motivate runners. The race will then travel through various L.A. neighborhoods and past iconic landmarks, from Downtown Los Angeles and City Hall to Sunset Boulevard and Historic Route 66, continuing through Rodeo Drive, Century City, the Veterans Administration, and San Vicente Boulevard, concluding at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Ocean Avenue. A post-race event is planned at the beach adjacent to the pier.

“The pier itself will give it that extra oomph,” Lamont Ewell, who recently retired as the Santa Monica City Manager, said.

Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge

Roadrunners FROM PAGE 30

While the social aspect of the Roadrunners is an oftencited fringe benefit of training with the group, there are other reasons to join as well.

“It’s amazing how it really builds up your confidence,” said racewalker Mike Mizote, who completed his first marathon in 2005 and since then has been a fixture in his Roadrunner pace group.

Knowing you have the physical and mental endurance required to complete a race, he said, “really helps out in everyday life when it comes to stress management.”

called the 2010 route the best in the marathon’s history, one that could be transformative.

“I’ve always felt that the race should end at the beach to show off one of L.A.’s greatest natural assets,” he said. “I pushed for a point-to-point route to show off more of the city, so I think this route works.”

The new course has drummed up support and enthusiasm among marathon veterans, including Lou Briones, who belongs to an elite group of 233 other athletes known as the Legacy Runners, so named because of their participation in every race since its inception in 1986.

The 62-year-old runner vividly remembers the course for the first marathon, which began at the Los Angeles Coliseum, detailing from memory each turn and the crowd of supporters who awaited there, from the mariachi bands playing at Olvera Street to the dragons dancing in Chinatown to the beating taiko drums in Little Tokyo.

He remained faithful to the marathon as it underwent changes over the next two decades, the biggest adjustment coming in 2007 when the course went from a loop to pointto-point, starting at Universal Studios and ending in Downtown Los Angeles.

Briones already has familiarity with the new route, having completed a trial run recently up to the 18-mile marker.

“I think the course change is an inspired one,” he said.

“It’s a course that takes what I think are some of the better locations of L.A.”

Marketing the marathon

There’s room for everybody in the Roadrunners, and for those who stick with the program, the chances for success are almost unbelievably high.

Mohamedy said about 98 percent of the group’s regular members finish the marathon each year.

There’s no age limit either, with members ranging from 18 to 94.

So, if you’re one of those people who has always thought about running a marathon but has never had the courage to start training in earnest, now is the time to take the plunge and join the Roadrunners.

One thing’s for sure — you won’t be alone.

With a new LA Marathon route, excitement for the event has never been higher, and there have never been so many firsttime Roadrunners. The group grew by more than 50 percent this season alone, Mohamedy said.

Of course the race will be grueling, but now that the finish line is at the Santa Monica Pier for the first time, there’s the ocean breeze and a downhill slant near the end of the route to look forward to.

And whether you’re a long distance champ or a first-time walker, those are two of the greatest gifts you can get once you hit the 24-mile mark.

There’s an atmosphere of the other higher profile races that Abraham is hoping to emulate in Los Angeles, one that takes the marathon from a daylong event to a weeklong celebration that brings the entire city together.

“During the New York Marathon it feels like ‘marathon week,’ and I want it to be that way here,” he said.

Organizers are placing a greater emphasis in reaching out to runners in Asia, selling apparel and packages to win a trip to the LA Marathon.

Pillar said that races on the East Coast similarly draw runners from foreign countries, noting that about 40 percent of participants in the New York Marathon are from Europe.

“We expect over time to draw a comparable amount of runners from the Pacific Rim,” he said.

The marketing efforts have produced results. The marathon sold out at 25,000 runners this year after drawing only 17,307 last year.

West Hollywood Mayor Abbe Land said she expects the changes in the marathon, particularly the route, will continue its upswing in the coming years, raising the profile of both the race and the cities involved, giving runners the quintessential L.A. experience.

“I think it helps people understand the diversity of all the different cities involved and creates some new energy for the marathon,” she said.

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Charity FROM PAGE 28

Team World Vision is fairly new to the LA Marathon. It’s their second year participating, but Wittig said they feel they can expand with the marathon. The team hopes to recruit 1,000 runners in the next three years.

She said the plan is to focus on building relationships with people in the community, such as running stores and churches. This technique has proved to work for World Vision in Chicago, a city where they have a strong presence in the annual marathon.

“We ask them to get a team together and train together,” Wittig said.

“They definitely keep coming back.”

The runners have had one group training session in Pasadena, but have smaller training groups of their own across the city.

They also offer online training tools, in addition to online fundraising instruments.

The members pay their own entry fee, in addition to their fundraising.

Although there is no mandatory amount runners must raise, there is a suggested minimum of $1,000 to $1,200. All funds from the 5K portion of the marathon will be directed to Haiti relief.

The goal of Team World Vision is to train people for a marathon while fighting global poverty, as well as raising awareness for their organization. They have a table at the Expo and use their jerseys to promote World Vision.

“We’re just excited to be a part of this race,” Wittig said. “I think its going to be an awesome year.”

Team in Training Team in Training, which gathers runners from three nearby Leukemia and Lymphoma Society chapters, is putting together a geographically diverse group. The team has 175 participants this year from Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego.

“The goal is to support the mission of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society,” said Tiffany Copeland, senior campaign director of the society’s Los Angeles branch.

The group has put together a marathon team

2010 Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss Runner and Spectator Guide every year since 1998, and continues to see growth.

Team in Training provides race entry fees, transportation to and from the race, a training program led by professional coaches and fundraising help. “[Team in Training] provides a complete marathon experience,” Copeland said.

The group focuses on training in a team-centered environment emphasizing both completing the marathon and raising funds.

“We have running coaches that help them with the physical part and fundraising reps who help them with the fundraising.”

Kerry Quakenbush, PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF LA AIDS MARATHON

Each team member works toward raising a minimum of $2,400 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Through the LA Marathon, $400,000 have been raised for the team’s cause.

Team in Training has a strong presence at a number of major marathons in the area, as well as 5K and 10K events. They pride themselves on their strong alumni program, but are always looking for new runners.

Copeland said they recruit runners through mailers and local advertisement, but the biggest source of new runners is word of mouth, aided by the purple jerseys donned by participants.

The easy-to-spot purple jerseys get people interested, and when they take it upon themselves to learn what team the runners are with, it generates crowd support.

Team in Training members aim to show the crowd they have worked hard for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society with hopes that in the coming years, some of those spectators will take it upon themselves to get involved in the marathon and raise money for a worthwhile cause.

Sojourn Without the national reach of some of the other

charities involved in the marathon, Sojourn, an organization aiding victims of domestic abuse based out of Santa Monica homeless service provider OPCC, still manages to have a strong presence at the LA Marathon. Over its 15 years of involvement, Sojourn has grown from 10 team members to more than 70, said Christine Manley, Sojourn’s community education and outreach coordinator.

“We originally wanted to get Sojourn’s name and our messages about our services out there,” said Manley. “A lot of people learn about us through the LA Marathon.”

Because of a limited budget, Sojourn does not have a group training program, but organizers have learned to use volunteers and the Internet to make up for their limitations. They introduce team members to Web sites that can create individually-tailored training programs and ones to help them track their fundraising and raise money, as well. Manley said with the help of new media, Sojourn has already raised $5,000 — more than any previous year.

Sojourn organizers recruit runners through fliers, volunteers and board members spreading the word.

“It’s really exciting to see it grow,” Manley said.

“People have really risen to the occasion.”

One of the most important things to the Sojourn team is their Tshirts, which include a 24hour crisis hotline number for victims of domestic violence unsure of where to turn. Manley said she has seen people copying down the number they see on the jerseys for the confidential hotline.

Sojourn’s team also makes its presence known at the pre-race expo and a water station along the marathon route in order to fulfill its goal of raising funds and awareness of services for victims of domestic violence.

Manley said she is thankful for Sojourn’s runners and volunteers — helping without getting paid to help, they make participating in the marathon possible.

Sojourn’s 24-hour crisis hotline can be reached at (310) 264-6644.

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Photo courtesy Santa Monica Classic

Classic FROM PAGE 31

design a T-shirt which runners would want to wear long after they crossed the finish line. The awards for the overall winners are made out of recycled surfboard resin. The event’s Web site is not only informative regarding the particulars of the race, but also instructional for those

Legacy FROM PAGE 26

Pugliese, like the other veterans, has had his share of setbacks, once even crossing the line feverish and wearing garbage bags to protect his body from a steady downpour of rain.

In 24 years, the Legacy Runners have seen the LA Marathon evolve into an internationally recognized feat of personal perseverance and community involvement. In

who are considering a foray into their very first competitive running event.

And the unique post-race expo is held right on the pier.

“Everything is efficient and professionally done,” said Tania Fischer, another long-time runner who teaches and coaches at Santa Monica High School.

“There are great sponsors, great music and a great

energy. Everything about it is on a high level.”

It is the event’s social consciousness, Fischer is convinced, which has helped elevate this race above so many others.

“It reflects the community and what’s important to the community,” said Fischer.

“Heal the Bay is very personal to a lot of people who live in Santa Monica.”

To date, the Classic has steadily raised funds for the nonprofit organization and, more importantly, it has increased awareness of the importance of safeguarding Southern California’s coastline. Last year, volunteers recruited at the event’s expo performed an extensive beach cleanup.

The success of the Classic, whose number of

entrants has swelled from 1,500 in 2006 to 3,500 in 2009, has solidified Santa Monica’s reputation as the unofficial running capitol of Los Angeles.

It is here where legendary athletes such as Carl Lewis and Johnny Gray helped the Santa Monica Track Club gain world prominence, where on any given Saturday or Sunday thousands of avid

runners flock to enjoy some of the most scenic, pedestrian-friendly training routes in the county, and where on March 21, the city will play host to the finish of the LA Marathon’s exciting new “Stadium to the Sea” course.

“It’s one of the most looked-forward to races,” adds Freeman. “It’s amazing the following that it has already developed.”

1986, 10,787 runners signed up to race, and this year, more than 20,000 runners are expected to meet at the starting line.

“After about 10 years, the regular runners started an organized means of staying in touch to encourage one another,” said Legacy Runner Lou Briones.

Briones, dubbed “Legacy Lou,” actively keeps the veterans together by coordinating group activities and he

serves as a liaison with the LA Marathon office to help bring recognition to the racers. Each year starting in September, Briones organizes runs to get the marathon-goers in peak condition. “It takes stamina to get through 26.2 miles. It takes a plan and we have to set goals, both collectively and personally. Running the marathon has become a family affair, and we take care of each other both on and off the track.”

As the oldest female Legacy Runner, Patricia DaVita, 76, of Granada Hills, Calif., credits her success with always taking the time to get outside and move.

DaVita, who has five children and 15 grandchildren, encourages her family to get involved in workouts.

“You learn to let things go … the house can stay dusty, just get out on the trail and find a network of supporters to keep you going,” explained DaVita.

With all the hard

knocks and missteps she’s taken over the years, DaVita has earned her veteran status. During one memorable marathon she fell and knocked out a front tooth.

“I almost lost two teeth, but I got up and pushed the other one in and kept on going.”

DaVita, who started running in her mid 40s, didn ’t receive fitness training growing up.

“Back in those days,” she explained, “girls weren’t

athletic in school. Now there are so many sports and activities teenagers can get involved in. We shouldn’t be sitting all day in front of our computers or TV sets. We need to get out and live.”

Even though they are crossing a milestone this year with the 25th LA Marathon, these Legacy Runners aren’t planning to quit any time soon.

As Radford explained, “I want to get to the 50-year mark of the marathon.”

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