California International Marathon

1   “One of the fastest, if not THE FASTEST, courses in the country!”
         —  Bart Yasso, Runner’s World Online 2007

2   “One of the WORLD’S BEST small marathons.”
         —  Runner’s World Magazine, 2006

3   In the TOP FIVE marathons that send the MOST number of qualifiers to Boston.
         —  Marathonguide.com, 2011

4   Voted "BEST Marathon."
         — Competitor Magazine Poll, 2009

5   “…in the TOP TEN as a FALL  DESTINATION Marathon.”
         — USA Today, Bart Yasso, 2007

6   Sacramento is the perfect hub for travel to California’s most popular tourist destinations (Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Napa Valley Wine Country, Yosemite, the Giant Redwoods).

7  Benefits youth fitness programs and regional running venue improvements such as cross country courses and the American River Parkway.

8   Voted "Sacramento's BEST sporting event"
         — Sacramento Bee online poll, 2009

9   Knowledgeable, local Pace Team Leaders, many of them elite Ultra marathoners, with Pace Team goal finish times that correlate to Boston Marathon qualifying times.

10   QUALIFY FOR THE BOSTON MARATHON! The fast, USATF sanctioned course is a Boston Marathon qualifying course. In 2011, the CIM was ranked 5th in numbers of qualifiers for Boston. Note: although the Boston Marathon has been filling before this year's CIM, the CIM will qualify you for the following year's Boston Marathon. Also, if you are already in the next year's Boston Marathon, you can send them your faster CIM time for improved corral location.

11   Average temperatures range in the mid-50s, 80% chance of perfect running weather.

12   Fall continues well into December in Sacramento and the “City of Trees” is ablaze with fall colors.

13   The CIM wide start line minimizes congestion and allows for you to easily settle into your marathon pace.

14   Same USATF sanctioned & certified course since its inaugural running (1983): point-to point, net downhill, with gently rolling hills, on wide well-surfaced streets with few turns. It is a US. Olympic  Marathon Trials qualifier and a Boston Marathon qualifier.

15   Spectacular finish in front of the historic California State Capitol, with separate finish lines for men and women.

16   $50,000 in prize money, an Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier, and often a USATF Marathon Championship.

17   Explore Sacramento’s rich “Gold Rush” history.

18   Experienced race managers, many of whom have been with the event since its inaugural running.

19   More than 2,000 dedicated, caring volunteers, and great crowd support from local residents who support this “Capitol Running Tradition.”

20   17-well-stocked aid stations and plenty of nourishment at the finish.

21   More porta-potties per runner at the start and along the course than any event the CIM staff and board has ever seen!

22   Block-by-block, lively and “international” course entertainment.

23   Beautiful, LARGE, unique, colorful finishers’ medallions and ribbons.

24   A high quality runner's hat with "CIM, My Boston Marathon Qualifier!" embroidered on the front is awarded to all finishers who qualify for Boston at the CIM and who enter and run Boston. These hats are not mailed - they are part of your Boston Marathon festivities: they must be picked up at the CIM Booth at the Boston Marathon Expo, where all around you will cheer!

25   A technical fabric t-shirt you'll be proud to wear with the very cool original CIM art. Men's and women's sizes!

26   Festive two-day Expo, timed perfectly for your holiday shopping.

27   Bring your family and friends to run the popular Four-Person Marathon Relay Challenge or the 2.62-Mile maraFUNrun/Fitness Walk (with free online entry for kids 13 & under).

28   Do your high mileage training for the CIM during the cooler fall temperatures rather than in the heat of the summer.

29   Get in shape, meet new friends, achieve a goal, and then enjoy the holiday season guilt free!