Marathon in California celebrates its 41st edition
New course records have been set at the California International Marathon (CIM). The 2024 event took place on December 8, and was celebrated this year in dry, sunny conditions with temperatures in the runner-friendly high 40s.
Tsegay Welduilbanos and Calli Hauger-Thackery won the respective men’s and women’s events. Setting a personal best, the Eritrean-American Welduilbanos came in at 2:07:35 - a performance that finally broke Jerry Lawson’s longstanding 2:10:27 time from 1993.
Fellow Americans CJ Albertson and Nick Hauger came in second and third in 2:10:06 and 2:11:55 respectively. For her part, British runner Hauger-Thackery clocked 2:24:28, knocking over 90 seconds off the previous time of 2:26:02 set by Paige Stoner in 2022. She beat off a close challenge from American runner Jacqueline Gaughan, who set a time of 2:24:40 - over 4 minutes ahead of the third placed finisher Stephanie Bruce.
The CIM is an annual road marathon in Sacramento, organised by the Sacramento Running Association, which covers a 26.2 mile route. The downhill course starts at Folsom Dam and passes through the Sacramento suburbs before ending at the State Capitol. The route has remained fundamentally unchanged since the event first took place in 1983. Over the years, the marathon has given an opportunity to over 100,000 runners, ranging from rookies to elite pros, to fulfil their individual goals.
If the CIM or a similar marathon appeals to you, reach out to online running coach Maximum Mileage Coaching today to set up a suitable marathon training schedule to hit your target.
