June 8, 2015
For immediate release

Contact:
John Schumacher
schumacher@runsra.org

SRA, Fleet Feet Sports Partner to Offer Spots for 50 Runners

The notion of running a marathon for the first time stirs up a mix of excitement and fear, the prospect of an exhilarating finish tempered by doubts about being able to make it that far.

What better place to take on the challenge than in your hometown?

The Sacramento Running Association, which puts on the CIM, and Fleet Feet Sports are teaming up to offer a free 17-week training program for the 2015 CIM to 50 first-time marathoners.

Experienced coaches, ability-based training and marathon specific seminars, plus a private bus to the starting line, are among the benefits of joining the CIM’s Official Training Program.

Runners can experience the camaraderie of sharing a passion and working with others to reach a common goal. The training program begins in early August, with group workouts planned twice a week.

The 33rd CIM is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 6 at 7 a.m.

Runners can sign up at runcim.org/cim-training-program. The deadline is Friday, June 12.

The SRA staff will review the applications and select the 50 winners, who will join other runners in the CIM’s Official Training Program.

“CIM is Sacramento’s Marathon,” said Scott Abbott, executive director of the Sacramento Running Association. “After 32 years, it’s a huge part of the community fabric, and for many Sacramentans, runner and non-runner, it has almost become a source of civic duty to run CIM every December.

“More than 100,000 people have had the joy of crossing that finish line in front of the state Capitol after many weeks of dedicated hard work and training. We are excited to work with Fleet Feet to help as many Sacramentans as possible have that transformative experience.”

The 26.2-mile course starts near Folsom Dam and winds through Orangevale, Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks, Carmichael and Sacramento before heading to a glorious finish at the state Capitol.

Thanks to a slightly downhill course, cool temperatures and abundant support from event staff and the 50,000 spectators who typically line the course each year, the CIM has a reputation as a great race for first-timers or veteran runners seeking a personal best or a Boston Marathon qualifying time.

The 2015 CIM is also expected to attract many of the nation’s top runners seeking a qualifying time for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.

The Sacramento Running Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding 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 Super Sunday Run on Feb. 7, the Credit Union SACTOWN Five- and Ten-Mile Run and the Gold Rush 50k.

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