The Pasadena Marathon held on May 15th, 2011 was a great event. Featuring a 5k, 10k, Half Marathon, Full Marathon and bike tour, there was literally a race for everyone. Even overcast skies and showers weren't enough to deter the brave racers...and the volunteers.
Thanks again to Choy Bacor for leading the Gritty City efforts in setting up Aid station 4, located at mile 5.5 of both the half marathon and the full marathon. The aid station was directly in front of the historic Wrigley building in Pasadena. The experience was shared by several Gritty City members: Choy, John, Alex, Jason, Miguel, Antonio, Ann, Annie, Sunny, Bernie, Craig, etc (I know I may be leaving someone out but there were quite a few of us!) Thanks again to everyone who woke up early to spend their morning in the rain to hand out water and electrolytes. I know the runner's appreciated it.
The great thing about a home town race was we saw many familiar faces: runners from local running stores like A Snail's Pace or A Runner's circle as well as runners from local running groups like Pasadena Pacers and Spiros Amarillos. We even saw a man trying to break the world record by completing the full marathon while dribbling two basketball's for all 26.2 miles!
If you have never volunteered at a marathon, I suggest you do it. It is quite an inspirational experience watching people of all shapes and sizes, from elite to walker, all racing the same race. I know personally, volunteering in front of the Mcdonald's at Figueroa on the old LA Marathon course when I was an undergraduate at USC was what inspired me. Now, 18 marathons later volunteering at Pasadena, it has gone full circle.
More pictures to follow. Hope you can join us next time.
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