FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kaiser Permanente Pasadena Marathon is Ready and Set to Go Sunday
Cool Weather Conditions are Forecast as Kaiser Permanente, City of Pasadena
and Race Organizers Complete Route Preparations for 8,000 Plus Participants
Pasadena, Calif. (March 20, 2009) - The weather forecast is calling for
cool temperatures and intermittent showers for this Sunday's Inaugural
Pasadena Marathon presented by Kaiser Permanente. This is in stark contrast
to November of last year when the Kaiser Permanente medical team, the City
of Pasadena and Pasadena Forward prepared for severe hot weather conditions
prior to eventually canceling the event due to the Southern California
wildfires.
The forecast for Sunday, March 22nd, calls for mid 50 degrees at the start
of the race and a high of around 60. Overcast skies and scattered showers
should provide good conditions for running, as more than 8,000 runners,
walkers and cyclists converge on Sunday morning to compete in the Marathon,
Half Marathon, Bike Tour, 5K and Fun Run/Walk.
"I'm really looking forward to participating in the bike tour," says
Benjamin Chu, MD, President of Kaiser Permanente Southern California.
"Kaiser Permanente is proud to be the presenting sponsor for an event that
truly encourages everyone to exercise and thrive; and what better place to
do this than in beautiful Pasadena!"
Kaiser Permanente's medical team, led by Race Medical Director, Thad
Woodward, MD, has been preparing for several months and is intimately
involved with the arrangements for Sunday's race. There will be six medical
aid stations on the course and a main medical tent at the finish line. "We
have a team of enthusiastic physicians, nurses, physical therapists and
medical professionals from Kaiser Permanente who are coming out to provide
medical attention and encouragement along the route," says Dr. Woodward.
"We are also working closely with the fire department of Pasadena to ensure
that there are sufficient resources available along the course if the need
arises," adds Dr. Woodward. "We want everyone to enjoy the day."
The City of Pasadena Fire Department and Police Department will be on hand
throughout the course to help respond to any race participants if needed.
Pasadena Forward and race organizers will have water stations along the
course at approximately every mile beginning at Mile 1.5. Ultima
Replenisher, the official on-course electrolyte drink, will be available
every two miles starting at Mile 4.
The Full and Half Marathon will start at 6:30 AM. Elite runners should
complete the full marathon in approximately 2 1/2 hours with elite
half-marathoners completing the race in just over an hour. The bulk of the
marathon finishers should have completed the race by noon. The Start/Finish
Line is located directly in front of Pasadena City College on Colorado
Boulevard in Pasadena. The Finish Line Festival is from 6 AM – 2 PM on the
college campus, and is free to the public. Thousands of spectators will
gather at the Start/Finish Line and along the course.
All athletes are expected to pick up their race packets at the Health &
Fitness Expo located at the Pasadena Convention Center which is open today
from noon - 7 p.m., and Saturday, March 21, from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Participants' friends and family are also encouraged to attend the Expo
which features a variety of health and fitness related vendors.
Event sponsors for 2009 include: Kaiser Permanente, Think Marketing, The
Westin Pasadena, Tiffany & Co., Pasadena Star-News, Crown City News, 100.3
The Sound, Gel Communications, Pasadena City College, Pasadena Convention &
Visitors Bureau, Ridelinks, Tieman's Fusion Coffees, Nesquik, FRS,
PowerBar, Ultima, Whole Foods, Vons, California School of Culinary Arts,
Joint Juice, PMX, Coyle Reproductions, Inc., Smartbox, and Ware Disposal
Co., Inc. For more information, visit www.pasadenamarathon.org.
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