Long Beach Airport Renews Partnership with the Long Beach Marathon

September 17, 2021

Community’s premier running event returns to the streets of Long Beach the weekend of October 9-10, 2021

Long Beach, CA – September 17, 2021 – The Long Beach Marathon and Half Marathon today announced a renewed partnership with Long Beach Airport (LGB). One of Southern California’s premier fall road races, the marathon will welcome runners back to the oceanfront streets of Long Beach for its 37^th edition on the weekend of October 9-10, 2021.

“We are delighted to renew our partnership with Long Beach Airport, which is such an important institution that defines the Long Beach community,” said Phyllis Blanchard, Director of Partnerships for the marathon. “Few cities celebrate their marathon more enthusiastically than Long Beach and we invite all runners to experience this iconic community tradition and help us get back to live, in-person events at the Long Beach Marathon in October.”

Both LGB and the marathon have built outstanding reputations in the local community, each sharing common values when it comes to marketing and promoting the City of Long Beach. Race organizers kept the event rolling amidst the pandemic last year with a virtual race. Working together, their goal is to make sure the marathon returns even more successful by creating a safe and welcoming experience for runners and spectators alike.

“The Long Beach Marathon attracts runners from all over the country and we hope they’ll use our easygoing airport for their travels,” said Long Beach Airport Director Cynthia Guidry. “We’re looking forward to a terrific event that brings runners, spectators and the community together in a positive and memorable way.”

The Long Beach Marathon has been one of the most popular and respected marathons in the country for going on thirty-seven years.  The 26.2-mile scenic course showcases the city’s miles of sandy beaches and unique neighborhoods. Most importantly, the event annually provides a platform for dozens of local charities and non-profit organizations to raise money for their respective causes.

Race weekend kicks off with the Aquarium of the Pacific 5k on Saturday morning, which is the perfect distance for runners of all abilities. Athletes can run the 5k with friends and family or use it as a shakeout run for Sunday’s races.

Sunday’s events include Long Beach Marathon Bike Tour, which provides avid and leisure cyclists the opportunity to ride on the marathon’s closed roads to vehicular traffic. It is a safe, scenic, and fully closed 20-mile course. The bike tour features all the marathon weekend experience fun without the run, including a commemorative event shirt, finishers medal complimentary beer and more.

For runners that aren’t ready to race in crowds yet or can’t make it to Long Beach on October 9th and 10th to participate in-person, there is the virtual run option for both the marathon and the half marathon. Best of all, the virtual run counts for those individuals looking to complete the Beach Cities Challenge or maintain their loyalty status.

For more information on the Long Beach Marathon and Half Marathon or to register for the event, visit RunLongBeach.com and follow the Long beach Marathon on social media @LBMarathon with hashtag #RunLongBeach.

About Long Beach Airport

Founded in 1923, Long Beach Airport (LGB) is the oldest airport in California. Among its many awards, LGB was named a Top 10 airport in the 2020 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest for Best Small Airport. LGB offers non-stop service to 16 U.S. cities while supporting a healthy general aviation community with more than 300,000 annual operations. The airport is also a source of substantial economic activity and employment, with the LGB Aviation Complex generating $8.6 billion in economic impact and supporting 46,000 jobs. LGB is a self-supporting enterprise of the City of Long Beach and does not receive local tax dollars. The Airport prides itself in preserving its esteemed historic legacy and maintaining a safe, sustainable, and environmentally responsible operation. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @LGBAirport.

About the Long Beach Marathon

The 2021 Long Beach Marathon and Half Marathon will take place on the weekend of October 9-10. Race weekend annually attracts thousands of runners with perfect Southern California weather and fast and flat courses. Participants can choose from four different events including the marathon, half marathon, 20-mile Bike Tour, or the Aquarium of the Pacific 5k. The race returns for its 37th edition year and features two days of races along the Southern California coast, offering runners iconic waterfront views of Shoreline Village and the Queen Mary Hotel. For more information about the Long Beach Marathon or to register for the event, visit RunLongBeach.com and follow @LongBeachMarathon on social media.

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