Pasadena Marathon Will Draw Thousands to the Crown City on May 20

Marathon begins at Pasadena City College

PASADENA, Calif., May 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Kaiser Permanente Pasadena Marathon will take place on Sunday, May 20. Four timed races (Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K) and two noncompetitive attractions (Bike Tour, Kids' Run) give the 4th annual event its broad appeal.

Race Weekend will commence with the opening of The Great Race Place Expo at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia. Expo hours are from Noon – 7 p.m. on Friday, May 18, and from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 19. Registered event participants will attend the Expo to collect their race materials, as well as to shop for goods and services and enjoy Santa Anita Park's beautiful infield. On-site registration for any Race Day events that are not sold-out will also be available at the Expo. The Great Race Place Expo is free and open to the public.

Sunday's race events start and finish along Colorado Boulevard adjacent to Pasadena City College. The Race Day Festival will take place on the campus of PCC from 5:15 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Festival will feature live music and stage entertainment, vendors, and two awards ceremonies. A Kids' Zone will also be available for children aged 3 – 10, free for registered youth and $5 for unregistered tots. The Race Day Festival is free and open to the public.

Individual race event start times on Sunday, May 20, are as follows: Bike Tour, 5:45 a.m.; Marathon & Half Marathon, 6:30 a.m.; 10K & 5K, 7:30 a.m.; and Kids' Run, 9 a.m.

Approximately 7,000 runners, walkers, and cyclists from across the U.S. and numerous international cities will participate in the event. Hundreds of volunteers have taken on a range of duties, from handing out water to sorting recyclables, to help the Kaiser Permanente Pasadena Marathon run smoothly. Residents are encouraged to join the Race Day excitement by cheering on the athletes along the course.

While street closures, detours, increased traffic, and parking restrictions are likely to cause some delays for those traveling in and around Pasadena on Sunday, event organizers have endeavored to mitigate inconveniences to residents and visitors due to these circumstances.

"We've minimized impediments to vehicle traffic as much as possible, at the same time ensuring that the race course is safe and secure for participants," states Race Director, Israel Estrada. Mr. Estrada suggests that those concerned about their mobility visit the "Residents" section of the Pasadena Marathon website, where detailed information about street closures and parking can be found.  Suggestions for getting to local places of worship that may be impacted by the event will also be posted. Participants and their companions are encouraged to rideshare and utilize public transportation for getting to and from the various Race Weekend events. 

Additional details about the Kaiser Permanente Pasadena Marathon can be found at www.pasadenamarathon.org.

SOURCE Pasadena City College