Feb. 27, 2015
For immediate release
Deferrals, VIP experience also available for runners
Looking for a great deal? Want to be among the first in line? The California International Marathon offers runners a low-cost, early entry for its 2015 race.
The pre-entry offer begins Tuesday, March 3 at 12:01 a.m. The first 1,000 registrants can gain a spot in the 33rd annual race, set for Dec. 6, for just $105, well below the
regular registration price of $135.
Runners can take advantage of the offer by visiting www.runcim.org.
“Our pre-entry pricing for the first thousand registrants beginning on March 3 is a way for us to reward our most loyal customers — ones ready to focus their training for the next nine months on the CIM — with a great race at a great price,” CIM race director Eli Asch said.
“With runners’ interest in achieving Boston (Marathon) qualifying times at an all-time high and CIM’s fast, downhill course which led to 22% of the field achieving a qualifying time last year, we expect these first thousand slots to go fast.”
With a slightly downhill course from Folsom to the state Capitol, typically cool weather and an abundance of support from spectators and race officials, the CIM has long been considered one of the best marathons to attain a Boston Marathon qualifying time, an Olympic Trials qualifier or a personal best.
Registration has sold out for six consecutive years, reaching its cap in September last year. The race has grown tremendously since 2005, when it featured 4,000 runners. The 2014 race featured more than 9,000 registered marathoners; the first CIM in 1983 had 1,600 entrants.
The CIM, put on by the Sacramento Running Association, is also offering deferrals. Runners who register for the 2015 race and are unable to run for any reason can defer their entry to the 2016 race for a $49 fee. The deferral window will be open from Nov. 2-Nov. 16.
“The California International Marathon is a race for runners, by runners,” Asch said. “Our runners asked us for a way to protect their registration, and our new deferral program is our answer.
“It’s our hope that every runner who registers for the 2015 CIM toes the starting line on December 6. But for those who can’t, we hope they take advantage of our deferral program and get to experience the CIM at our 2016 race.”
The CIM is also adding a VIP Experience for $200. The package includes a premium merchandise item, a luxury charter bus ride to the start line, a private warming tent with food and private bathrooms in the start area, premium gear check services, a post-race VIP brunch in the Sutter Club, a VIP packet pick-up area with a special goody bag at the Health and Fitness Expo, a custom race bib with the runner’s name printed on it and a commemorative race poster.
Scott Abbott, executive director of the Sacramento Running Association, said race officials keep searching for ways to enhance the experience for runners.
“The California International Marathon continues to be recognized as one of the nation’s premier marathons, and every year the demand for this event increases,” he said. “The Sacramento Running Association continues to take great efforts to continue to provide enhancements to make the CIM a world-class event that is a source of pride for the city and the region while still providing a first-rate experience for our participants.
“While the event has grown to become a significant fixture on the national and international race calendar, at its core the CIM is Sacramento’s marathon, and we hope that every Sacramentan — man or woman, new or experienced runner, young or old — will look at 2015 as their year to experience the thrill of participating in CIM.”
The Sacramento Running Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding new ways to encourage people of all ages and abilities to run. The SRA is committed to developing new, quality running events that appeal to a broad variety of runners.
Other SRA events include the Credit Union SACTOWN Five- and Ten-Mile Run on April 12, the Gold Rush 50k on May 9 and the recently concluded Super Sunday Run.