Excitement is building in Long Beach as 22,000 runners are gearing up for the 40th Long Beach Marathon on Sunday. Participants made their way to the expo to collect their race bibs and gear. However, many expressed concerns about Sunday’s race, as temperatures are expected to soar.
“I am nervous, but I’m just going to do it because this is something I’ve always wanted to accomplish,” said half marathon participant Farah Mirza.
“I actually did eight marathons in September, so I’m learning about running and I’m learning about running in the heat and it definitely makes marathon running more challenging,” said marathon participant Summer Willis.
Organizers have made adjustments to the schedule to help keep runners safe. The marathon will now begin at 5:30 a.m. and the half marathon at 6:30 a.m., giving runners a cooler start to beat the heat.
“We’ve been communicating with our runners to ensure that they’re calm and that they’re excited and ready for a great experience on Sunday morning. Our team has put together some heat tips on the website,” said event organizer Dan Cruz.