Lifestyle

2014 San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon set for June 1

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rockmarathon1The 17th annual Suja Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon & 1/2 Marathon To Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is set for this Sunday, June 1. A big treat is that our own Meb Keflezighi, champion of this year’s Boston Marathon is participating in the half-marathon. He will be at the front of a pace group.

The 2014 sponsor of the marathon is the Suja Juice Company. Suja is an up-and-coming San Diego outfit specializing in smoothies and organic juices.

Some of the artists that put the rock ‘n’ roll into the marathon include: Aloe Blacc, The Lost Profits, Pullman Standard, and Awards. There will be local bands playing almost every mile of the marathon.

The most senior competitor will be 91-year-old Harriette Thompson. This will be her 15th time running the 26.2-mile race, and this year it comes just one month after receiving radiation therapy to treat a squamous cell carcinoma on her legs. This year, this inspirational, brave lady will become the oldest participant ever in the San Diego race.rockmarathon2

The 2014 race will see more than 30,000 runners hustling around San Diego, including through the communities of Hillcrest, Normal Heights, downtown and Little Italy.

The majority of detours and closing of roads due to the race will occur from 5:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. Marathon event workers and police will be present to direct traffic, both pedestrian and motorized. The main closed roads include:

  • Broadway: (Seventh Ave. – Kettner Blvd.)
  • San Diego Ave.: (India St. – Harney St.)
  • India St.: (W. B St. – San Diego Ave.)
  • Sixth Ave.: (Quince St. – Laurel St.)
  • Sixth Ave.: (Elm St. – University Ave.)
  • University Ave.: (Fifth Ave. – Park Blvd.)
  • B St.: (Twelfth Ave. – 19th St.)
  • Mission Bay Dr.: (N. Mission Bay Dr. – Clairemont Dr.)
  • Tenth Ave.: (University Ave. – Robinson Ave.)

rockmarathon3The starting line for both marathons is at Sixth Avenue and Quince Street; at 6:15 a.m for the marathon and then at 6:45 a.m. for the half-marathon. The racers will cross the finish line at K Street and 13th Street, in the shadow of Petco Park. There will be live music (of course) and activities for marathon participants from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m at the Finish Line Festival.

Spectators are being asked to use the San Diego Trolley, taking it to the station at Twelfth Avenue and Imperial, just two streets over from the finish of the race. That’s the smart way to avoid both the street closures and the need to find parking.

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