Thousands converge in Folsom for the annual California International Marathon

At least 11,000 runners filled with lofty dreams, goals and plenty of energy gels to fuel those aspirations are converging in Folsom on Sunday, Dec. 7, for the annual California International Marathon (CIM). The 26.2-mile race spans the distance between Folsom and Sacramento's State Capitol with an eclectic tour of the various communities in between. Yet this legacy running event has become much more than a strenuous distance race; it is a symbol of community spirit and celebration of the endeavor as a whole, according to Scott Abbott, executive director of the Sacramento Running Association, which organizes the event. "Thousands of volunteers and community groups support the event, as it truly is an important source of civic pride," explains Abbott. CIM began in 1983 with a modest 1,600 participants and over the years has grown exponentially and earned a reputation world wide for being a key marathon to achieve goal times due to its potentially fast course and, with the exception of some years which brought storms, ideal marathon running temperatures. This year, runners from 41 countries are expected to toe the line in Folsom and at least 75,000 spectators will cheer them on all along the way. "CIM is always a landmark day in the Sacramento region, as our county plays host to thousands of runners from all over the world who travel here to take part in one of the nation's premier annual running events," said Abbott. New finish area The point-to-point race course has remained largely unchanged in its 42 years, with a 7 a.m. start in Folsom on Folsom-Auburn Road near Folsom Dam. What has changed, though, is the massive number of spectators who line the course and especially the finish line near the State Capitol. To accommodate the tens of thousands of spectators, the finish area near the capitol has been expanded, with the elite runners finishing at 9th and Capitol Mall, and the masses finishing at 7th and Capitol Mall. The competition This year's CIM will bring a significant number of world-class athletes because it is hosting the US Marathon Championships, a key national championship for top American marathoners. CIM was selected to host the championships in 2025 and 2026, a coveted honor. The Sacramento Running Association is offering a combined prize purse of $116,500 for the championship fields, including $20,000 first-place prizes for the men's and women's winners. Aside from the US Marathon Championships, hundreds of American marathoners use CIM to attempt a qualifying time for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials; runners who achieve that goal will receive an additional $500 qualifying bonus. The trials qualifying standards are 2 hours, 16 minutes for men and 2:37:00 for women. The men's favorite for the US Marathon Championships is Futsum Zienasallassie, who won CIM in 2022. On the women's side, longtime American distance legend Sara Hall is the favorite; she won CIM in 2017 and is a former American record holder. Road closures The CIM will bring road closures to ensure the safety of runners and spectators; view the scheduled times of specific street closures at https://runsra.org/road-closures-for-dec-7-california-international-marathon-2025/ The CIM has partnered with the WAZE app to provide live road closure information and closure avoidance routes for the community on race day. The community effort Huge events like CIM would not happen if not for thousands of volunteers and community groups who wake up long before the sun rises to prepare the course for the onslaught of spectators and runners. Community groups and local schools host the 17 aid stations provided along the course, where they hand out fluids for many hours to thousands of runners as they stream by. Volunteers also help set up medical aid stations along the course, the start and finish line staging areas, they pick up and discard trash left behind in the wake of 11,000 runners, and a slew of other duties that perhaps go unnoticed but are pivotal. Abbott said CIM is truly a labor of love and the coming together of a community not just to support the runners but to pay homage to a longtime beloved local event which uniquely showcases the region. "It is an event that literally and figuratively connects our community - from the idyllic start in Folsom to traveling through Orangevale, Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks, Carmichael, Arden-Arcade, East Sacramento, Midtown and into Downtown with a magnificent finish in front of the State Capitol - runners tour the best of our region with enthusiastic neighborhood and community support all along the way," said Abbott, with clear community pride. The journey - A reporter's commentary As a runner who has completed CIM multiple times and used it as a race to qualify for the Olympic Marathon Trials, I often say the marathon is a metaphor for life: extreme highs and lows with so many other unforgettable, unpredictable experiences in between. It's an endeavor which challenges your body, mind and soul with the rare magical days making you feel superhuman, and the bad days almost as torturous as giving birth. To quote the band Aerosmith, life's a journey, not a destination, and the marathon experience is truly a journey. Crushing goals is great, but if you've done marathons long enough, you've also endured the dreaded "death march" (a term marathoners jokingly, not jokingly use to describe the experience of your body completely shutting down yet you somehow will yourself to shuffle to the finish line). Often, it's how you deal with that adversity that brings the most pride. There is beauty in CIM that transcends finish line successes: There are endless inspirational stories, from the determined, sight-impaired runner being carefully led by a guide for 26.2 miles, the 50-year-old taking on a brand new challenge, or the cancer patient who yearns to prove they are still alive and strong. Each person has their unique story of challenge and perseverance, whether they're a world-class athlete or someone who just started running this year. Like any athletic event, there are no promises of success, but what CIM does guarantee is loving support during the journey, at the aid stations with local high school kids cheering you on, the enthusiastic crowds waving signs and ringing bells, and the volunteers who dedicate countless hours to make this the best experience possible. "Sacramento always puts its best foot forward on CIM weekend," said Abbott. "And the dream chasers that take to the course always walk away loving CIM and loving our region because of it."