The Full Marathon starts next in Downtown Long Beach in the same spot that the Long Beach Grand Prix racecars start. Runners enjoy the sunrise while starting their journey through the 36th largest city in the United States. After a slight climb over the Queensway Bridge, runners circle the picturesque Shoreline Park Lighthouse and around Rainbow Harbor. A slight ocean breeze and cheering spectators greet runners as they pass by the start and finish Festival area at mile 6.5. Three miles next to the Pacific Ocean and a CLIF shot at mile 10 prepare full marathoners for the miles ahead, but not before a visit to the friendly Belmont Shore neighborhood. After passing The Split, runners head to Marine Stadium, pass Blair Field and Wilson High School and head to California State University, Long Beach. The campus is alive with cheerleaders, the CSULB band, sports teams, organizations and clubs, sororities and fraternities, faculty and the school Mascot, Prospector Pete. A quick 5K and a few minor hills on campus leaves runners with only 10K to go. Runners head back to Ocean Boulevard and make their way via a downhill finish to the Finish Line Festival where they are presented with their hard-earned medal and a full post-race festival with a great band, a beer garden, and plenty of food.

Long Beach Marathon

Post-Race Review/ Results

James Bungei of Kenya wins the men's division with a time of 2:16.12, besting last year's winner by nearly three minutes.

About 2000 runners participated in the Sunday, Nov. 12, Long Beach Marathon with James Bungei of Kenya winning the men's division with a time of 2:16.12, besting last year's winner by nearly three minutes. 

Russian runner Irina Safarova took first in the women's division with a race time of 2:37.03, just a fraction of a second ahead of fellow Russian Elena Paramonova, who finished at 2:37.27.

2,000 finish after 26.2 miles in Long Beach Marathon

Kenyan closes gap to finish in 2:16:49 and win race

James Bungei of Kenyan won the Long Beach Marathon on Sunday in 2:16:49, four minutes slower than the course record of 2:12:27, set in 1990. 
     But Bungei was not challenged, and he slowed his pace after turning around several times and seeing no one close. 
     Bungei said he was relieved because he "hit a wall" at mile 23 and had no strength left. 
     Bungei, 29, finished second in the 1999 Los Angeles Marathon in 2:10:43--the fifth fastest in L.A. history, but skipped that race this year to rest.

Marathon Summary

Marathon Results