By Mayor Marsha McLean
Are you faster than a speeding bullet? Do you strive to be the best you can be? If so, be sure to assemble for the 2019 Santa Clarita Marathon Heroes Edition, presented by Parkway Motorcars! The Santa Clarita Marathon is a grand tradition in our City – one that brings thousands of competitors and spectators together each year. Happening on Saturday, Nov. 2 and Sunday, Nov. 3, the event this year is taking on a Heroes Edition theme as the perfect way to end the Halloween weekend.
The Santa Clarita Marathon offers runners an entertaining way to let loose while showing off their costumes, and your cape can fly behind you as you speed through the course. The Heroes Edition theme encourages participants in all events, including the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon, to pay tribute to their favorite hero. You can even wear your costume on the Mayor’s Walk as we explore three beautiful miles on our trails and paseo system! Costumes in all races are optional!!
Those who prefer to cheer on the runners from the sidelines can set up a spot to do so from one of the many spectator locations along the different routes. The exciting action of the start and finish on both Saturday and Sunday will be in the northern parking lot at Westfield Valencia Town Center, where your encouragement and applause will help boost each runner over the finish line.
This year also marks the return of the Final Mile Challenge, presented by Kaiser Permanente, which is an opportunity for school children in Santa Clarita and Castaic to complete 25 miles ahead of time before running the final 1.2 miles of the Santa Clarita Marathon course. Students from 37 schools in the Santa Clarita Valley can participate in the Final Mile Challenge – free of charge – and registration information is being provided to school districts, campuses and parent-teacher organizations.
Kids participating in the Final Mile Challenge, as well as those loved ones who come to support them, can dress as their favorite hero or show their school pride wearing their school’s spirit shirt. The Final Mile Challenge will take place throughout the day on Saturday, Nov. 2, following the 5K and 10K, so that the kids have plenty of time and space to complete the route.
There is much to do during the weekend for those who aren’t competing. The Santa Clarita Health and Fitness Expo, presented by Boston Scientific, will be open to the public from 4 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, so that you and your family can connect with vendors in the health and lifestyle industries. The expo will once again take place near the start and finish lines, so don’t miss out!
The excitement is building for the 2019 Santa Clarita Marathon and I can’t wait until race day! Remember our Marathon is a qualifier for the prestigious Boston Marathon! I hope you will consider registering for an event this year, which you can do by visiting our website at scmarathon.org. If you are not up for a run – please join me for the Mayor’s Walk!
