‘It’s for everyone’: California International Marathon draws thousands of runners and fans
The California International Marathon has been a staple in Sacramento since it started in 1983. It doesn’t appear to have lost a step of its luster.
Nearly 10,000 runners started their Sunday morning in Folsom and many ended crossing the finish line in downtown Sacramento. The Sacramento skyline served as a cool-weather backdrop and the loud cowbells, signs and good cheer made for a festive atmosphere. For most people in the crowd and even some runners, it didn’t matter who won the 37th annual edition of the race because everyone was involved.
“This is such a great community event for Sacramento,” said Scott Abbott, executive director of the Sacramento Running Association. “People come out on the course and really get behind this event. This literally and figuratively binds our community from Folsom to Sacramento together. People come from all over the world for this marathon.”
Elisha Barno of Kenya won the race in 2 hours, 11 minutes and 36 seconds. He finished four seconds ahead of CJ Albertson, who is a Clovis native.
The top female finisher was Jane Kibii with a time of 2:29:31. Kibii is also from Kenya but now lives in Auburn with her agent, Brad Poore. After the race, Kibii shared a special moment with her 6-year-old daughter, Belvia, who was proudly waiting for her mother.
“That was big,” Kibii said. “She waiting for me at the finish and was cheering me on. She was the one who pushed me to finish.”
Kibii is looking to use her platform to give back. She is helping organize a club called “Harambee,” which in Kenya means to help a group of people come together. The group aims to works with female recovering addicts in the prison system.
“Jane is an incredibly humble and gracious person,” Poore said. “She inspires others not only because she is a fast runner, but how she uses running as a vehicle to show you can overcome adversity.
“When you are talking about women who are in recovery for alcohol or drug addiction, they are people who are overcoming incredible challenges. Jane has come from poverty and has faced challenges in her life herself, so she can relate to struggles those people go through.”
Kevin Lara of Chico was running his first marathon, a New Years’ resolution come true. When he crossed the finish line and got his medal, he took in the moment then snapped a celebratory selfie while biting his medal.
“There are no words and the moment is super rewarding,” Lara said. “It’s emotional because I have put so much work into this. I’ll never forget this moment and I think this marathon will be the first of many more to come for me.”
Victor Palomo was also running his first marathon. He trained nine months to get here. His wife, Paola, and children, Mateo and Daniela, wore shirts that read, “Go Vic Go.” His family support helped him finish the race.
“(Having that) means everything to me,” Palomo said. “I do it for them, and seeing them at the finish was special. I made the trip all the way from Mexico here because I heard so many good things about the race.”
Not everyone was a first-timer runner here.
Jenny Hitchings of Sacramento competed in her 10th CIM and still finds joy in the race. She is the Cross-County coach at Sacramento’s Cal Middle School and also privately coaches adult runners.
“Running this marathon never gets old because it’s my hometown race,” Hitchings said. “This is a community event and everyone should be a part of it.
“My husband, Andy, running partners and local friends always come every year to support me,” she added. “My husband always drives me to the start line and he runs the relay while I do the marathon. He’s my biggest fan.”
Be it a first time entrant here, an Olympic hopeful or just a spectator in the stands, the CIM endures.
“What makes this event so special is that it’s for everyone,” Abbott said. “It’s a great celebration of spirit for this city. It’s definitely a bucket-list item.”
This story was originally published December 8, 2019 at 3:26 PM.