FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
START-TO-FINISH ENTERTAINMENT AND ENCOURAGEMENT MARKS THE 2009
LOS ANGELES MARATHON ROUTE
LOS ANGELES, California, May 18, 2009 – You've probably heard the phrase,
"the loneliness of the long-distance runner."
It doesn't apply to the Los Angeles Marathon, coming up on Memorial Day,
May 25.
In addition to hundreds of thousands of spectators along the 26.2-mile
route, a nearly continuous program of cheerleading, entertainment and even
some "air conditioning" will be taking place all along the course. Already
scheduled are 14 bands, 11 cheerleading squads, nine entertainment centers,
eight radio stations, 16 charitable organizations, 10 misting stations and
what promises to a popular attraction, the Salonpas "Pain Relief Zone" at
mile 18.
The race will start with the pounding of tens of thousands of feet on
Figueroa Street, to be matched by the beating of giant Taiko drums from the
Hongo Taiko School, followed a few blocks later by the inspirational vocals
of the Marylind Foundation Choir.
In the first quarter of the race, beginning in downtown Los Angeles and
onto Exposition Boulevard, runners will be cheered on by squads from
Pacific Hills School, Jordan High School and Jefferson High School and
enjoy bands from Run to Win and Mariachi's. AMP Radio 97.1 will pump up the
volume in mile 3.
As the Marathon moves northward on Crenshaw and west on Venice Boulevard,
Fight2Dlight at mile 7 and disc jockey Kai Nygard will be mixing and
scratching at mile 13. In between, the Dorsey High School cheerleaders and
the Roosevelt Middle School cheer squad will perform and the Earlez Grille
Ol School Entertainment extravaganza (including breakfast!) is on at
Crenshaw Boulevard and Rodeo Road. The Marathon itself will be discussed
live on the radio at the KLAC AM 570 sports talk radio station in mile 8
and KHHT (Hot 92.3) will be on-the-air in mile 9.
Past the halfway mark, the race moves north to the Miracle Mile district on
Wilshire Boulevard and east on 6th Street, with even more activities. Five
bands will be playing in the third quarter of the race: country band Van
Cotton at mile 15, Run to Win at miles 15 and 17, Robin Russell's Drum
Beats on mile 18 and the energetic dance cover band Senergy on mile 19,
plus radio vibes from JACK-FM 93.1 on mile 13 and a combined KABC-KLOS
depot at mile 14. The runners will be cheered on by squads from Huntington
Middle School, Redondo Union and Washington Prep high schools. At mile 18,
at Fairfax Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard, Marathon sponsor Salonpas will
provide its "Pain Relief Zone" featuring its topical pain-relief products,
followed by the American Roots Music Stage 2009 entertainment with music of
all kinds and a children's fun zone.
Entering the final quarter and heading back toward downtown, the cheering
will increase thanks to squads from Glendale High School, Santa Monica
Charter and John Marshall High School and three bands: working-class
rockers Ann Likes Red, featuring big drums, cool vocals and noisy guitars
at mile 20, the Blues Gypsys at mile 22 and the perfectly-named "hippie
hop" People's Party from Venice Beach on mile 24. The Emerald Nuts "Final
Five" arch will mark five miles to go at 6th Street and Gramercy Place
during mile 22 and kick off a massive entertainment wave on miles 24 and
25, hosted by the Ecuadorian community of Los Angeles (mile 24) and Run to
Win (mile 24), the city's Guatemalan community (mile 25) and Salvadorean
community (mile 25), followed up by a repeat appearance by the Taiko
drummers! Nearing the finish on Olympic Boulevard (mile 25) will be another
station hosted by Power 106 FM.
After crossing the finish line on Flower Street near the Los Angeles
Central Library, the runners will be able to relax and enjoy the free
Finish Line Festival a few steps away, with more entertainment on stage and
a chance to unwind at the Michelob ULTRA Beer Garden, until about 3 p.m.
Fifteen of the Marathon's 41 affiliated charities will be showcasing their
programs and celebrating the individual triumph of each marathoner,
including Activities for Retarded Children and the Inter-Agency Council for
Child Abuse & Neglect (ICAN) on mile 1; Team and Training on mile 5; the
AIDS Marathon on miles 7 and 14; Jenesse Center on mile 9; Blind Children's
Center on mile 11; Team World Vision on mile 12; Child S.H.A.R.E. on mile
13; Rebuilding Together on mile 15; Hostelling International on mile 16;
St. Jude Children's Hospital on mile 21; UDLA (Unification of Disabled
Latin Americans) and JBA on mile 23; the ALS Association on mile 24 and
Team Parkinson on mile 25.
Running a marathon is a remarkable achievement, but no one does it alone.
For the thousands who will run in the 24th Los Angeles Marathon on Memorial
Day, they will certainly have plenty of company – and encouragement – both
in the streets and on the sidewalks.
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