Dec. 2, 2015
For immediate release
Contact:
Ellen Moore
(916) 737-2627
ellen@runsra.org
Local runners use CIM to honor fallen heroes and raise awareness
The marathon is a spectator event with no doors, a mass celebration of ordinary people pursuing extraordinary goals. It is a parade of strangers coming together where every high-five between spectator and runner is a physical bond.
It is also a massive logistical undertaking that requires over 12 months of planning, thousands of volunteers and a strong working relationship between race organizers, local authorities and state and federal agencies all in an effort to ensure a positive race experience for runners, spectators, volunteers and staff alike.
The California International Marathon has brought that celebration to the people of the Sacramento-area for the last 32 years.
A field of 9,000 marathoners is scheduled to challenge the 26.2-mile course from near Folsom Dam to the state Capitol for the 33rd time this Sunday, Dec. 6. Another 4,000 runners are entered in the Bank of the West CIM Relay Challenge, with 2,000 more participants set for the UC Davis Children’s Hospital maraFUNrun. And 50,000 spectators will greet, cheer on and encourage the runners along the way.
This event and public celebration would not be possible without the behind-the-scenes work and collaboration between CIM organizers at the Sacramento Running Association, the City of Folsom Police Department, the City of Sacramento Police Department and the North Sacramento, East Sacramento and Capitol offices of the California Highway Patrol.
“The SRA’s first priority in planning the CIM is public safety,” said race director Eli Asch.
“The expertise that our partners at the Sacramento Police Department, Folsom Police Department, and California Highway Patrol bring to the table in this area is invaluable.
“The CIM wouldn’t be nearly the event it is without the support of these local law enforcement agencies.”
The synergy between race officials and local authorities is highlighted by two local runners and public servants scheduled to tackle the 26.2-mile course, both with their own unique story.
Folsom Police Officer Eric Baade plans to run the entire marathon wearing a police uniform, body armor, a duty belt and boots. Baade is trying to raise awareness about officers who have been killed in the line of duty. He is partnering with Norcal COPS (Concerns of Police Survivors) and the Folsom Police Motor Officers Association.
“I am hoping there will be a lot of people who will be out on the course to support not only why I am running, but police officers and law enforcement in general,” said Baade.
“Seeing signs supporting ‘Thin Blue Line’ and hearing words of encouragement will definitely help me get to the finish line.”
Tracy Youngstedt, a crime and intelligence analyst with the Sacramento Police Department, has run a marathon every month in 2015 in honor of Sacramento Sheriff’s Deputy Danny Oliver and Placer County Sheriff’s Investigator Michael Davis.
Oliver and Davis were both killed in the line of duty on October 24, 2014.
CIM will be Youngstedt’s 12th marathon of 2015.
“My favorite part of CIM has always been when I reach the City limits and see my co-workers working the street closures, the men and women of the Sacramento Police Department, who I respect so much. I’ve been running as much for them as I have for our fallen heroes,” said Youngstedt.
The mobilization of police and intelligence agencies adds up to over 800 law enforcement man-hours and over 100 officers on race day. That operation includes nearly 100 officer-controlled intersections along the course and bomb-sniffing dogs at the start line and the finish line.
“The City of Sacramento is no stranger to hosting large-scale events like the California International Marathon,” said Sacramento Police Chief Sam Somers, Jr. “The race has always been a positive, safe and successful event each year.
“The Police Department is honored to be a part of this event and looks forward to welcoming runners into the city at the final stage of the race.”
The support provided costs the SRA roughly $100,000 in police services and another $100,000 in additional city services including permitting and fire services.
The CIM is put on by the Sacramento Running Association, 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 California Family Fitness Super Sunday Run on February 7, the Credit Union SACTOWN Run on April 3 and the Gold Rush 50k on May 14.
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