Want to see the runners as they take on the California International Marathon on Sunday, December 4? Here are the best places to watch the CIM, when you'll see the first runners cross the finish line and more.
When to watch
When: 7 a.m. Sunday. The first male runners will cross the finish line about 9:15 a.m. The first female runners are expected to finish about 9:30 a.m.
Who: A registered field of 8,000 marathoners and 4,000 relay runners. About 2,000 runners will participate in a 2.62-mile fun run.
Where: The 26.2-mile course starts near Folsom Dam and finishes at 9th and Capitol in downtown Sacramento.
Best places to watch
• Old Town Fair Oaks, around mile 10, features a festive atmosphere with music and food options.
• The halfway point near Fair Oaks Boulevard and Manzanita Avenue draws a crowd to see runners turn for home.
• At Loehmann's Plaza, near mile 20, some runners can hit the wall.
• The finish at 9th and Capitol provides the drama as runners complete the 26.2-mile test, some hoping to qualify for the Olympic Trials or to set a new personal record.
• The event is offering several "Thrive Zones" with entertainment and cheering at Old Town Folsom, Fair Oaks Boulevard and Morse Avenue, Alhambra Boulevard and L Street, MVP Sports Grill at 21st and L streets, and de Vere's at 16th and L streets.
Road closures
See a mile-by-mile look at roads that will be closed to accommodate the race.
See and share race photos
Are you going to the CIM? Upload your photos to the special viewers gallery here. You can also e-mail photos to the gallery. Add cimphotos@sacbee.com to your contacts now and send them on race day.
At the race, look for The Bee's Snapshots photographer and then find yourself in the crowd gallery. See all the Snapshots galleries at www.sacbee.com/snapshots
Prize money
Open Division
Men and Women
First: $10,000
Second: $5,000
Third: $2,500
Fourth: $1,000
Fifth: $500
Masters Division (40 and over)
Men and women
First: $500
Second: $250
Third: $100
Good to know
• U.S. men have a chance to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Trials if they run 2:19:00 or faster, while U.S. women can qualify with a time of 2:46:00 or under.
• This year's women's field features three past CIM winners: Elena Orlova of Russia (won in 2005), Alina Gherasim of Romania (2006) and Wioletta Kryza of Poland (2007).
• Folsom resident Kyle Hamilton, a member of the San Rafael Fire Department, will run the marathon in firefighter gear for charity.
2013 Boston Marathon qualifying times
Age / Men / Women
18-34 / 3:05 / 3:35
35-39 / 3:10 / 3:40
40-44 / 3:15 / 3:45
45-49 / 3:25 / 3:55
50-54 / 3:30 / 4:00
55-59 / 3:40 / 4:10
60-64 / 3:55 / 4:25
65-69 / 4:10 / 4:40
70-74 / 4:25 / 4:55
75-79 / 4:40 / 5:10
80+ / 4:55 / 5:25
Note: Registration for the 2012 Boston Marathon is closed, but runners who have already qualified for the event and who record a faster time at CIM can submit the new time to be used toward re-seeding in the starting field at Boston. Unlike in previous years, runners attempting to qualify for the 2013 Boston Marathon will not be given an additional 59 seconds beyond the above standards.
CIM course records
Men: 2:10:27, Jerry Lawson, 1993
Women: 2:29:21, Nickey Carroll, 1999
For more information
Follow The Bee's race coverage at www.sacbee.com/run
Check the CIM website: www.runcim.org.
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