CIM Preview

CIM winner Alisha Williams in the final meters of the 2012 event.

CIM winner Alisha Williams in the final meters of the 2012 event.

In two short days, the California International Marathon will take the streets of Sacramento once again in its 31st annual event with a field of 9,000 marathoners and 4,000 relay runners.

CIM has earned it’s reputation as a swift course, opportune for elite runners to attempt hefty personal records and during the right window of time, qualifying marks for spots at the Olympic Trials.

This year marks one of those windows.

With the trials qualifying time period having opened this August for the 2016 trials, many runners are making way to Sacramento to give the “A” and “B” standards, 2:37 and 2:43 respectively, a shot. CIM is embracing the added importance of the year, and has upped the ante financially to attract their 2013 elite field. The race is awarding time bonuses of $2500 for the “A” standard and $1000 for the “B” standard.

On the ladies’ side, some of the top credentialed runners to watch for are Jeanette Faber, Atalelech Asfaw, Paige Siemers, Pasca Cheruiyot, and Kristen Fryburg-Zaitz. All these ladies boast 2:40 and below marathon credentials and are sure to keep the front of the race honest and swift. The course record of 2:29.21 set in 1999 by Nickey Carroll could very well be in danger come Sunday morning.

If you can’t be out in Sacramento to catch the action live on Sunday, you can visit www.runcim.org to track individual runners.