“This is The People’s Marathon”
Standing on the podium flanked by the California State Capital Building, Brendan Gregg, wrapped in an American flag, hoisting the trophy stated this to the thousands gathered in front of him following his victory in 2021.
Gregg chased Jerry Lawson’s course record of 2:10:27 from Folsom that morning. With the help of Matt Leach through halfway, he managed 4:58 pace, hitting it to the second mile after mile. Real clockwork. As he approached 22 miles, Lawson’s ghost reached for his quads and slowed his gait to 5:14 pace into the finish. Gregg reached the Capital in 2:11:21- the fastest mark since Lawson’s run in 1993 on the course that cuts through his home.
Brendan Gregg is NorCal through and through. He grew up in Davis, ran for his dad, the legendary Bill Gregg- coach of the Davis Senior Blue Devils. He learned the trade and cut his teeth on hilly xc courses in Rocklin, Folsom and Angels Camp against the tough young harriers from small farm towns in the valley and rugged outposts in the foothills.
The CIM course cuts through the heart of this territory. It is point to point, stringing together landmarks and monuments that shaped Gregg’s upbringing in the sport. It is a constant thread, like a river cutting through the landscape, there, adjacent to the lives of runners from the region as they go from youth to masters. It is activated once a year, when The People bring it to life, climbing into their pace boats to merrily roll down it together, coasting through calm waters and navigating the storms.
Gregg is racing again this year, defending his crown on his home soil.
The People will be there with him, from the region and from far and wide. To ride the boats to the shadow of the Capital next to the Sacramento River.
People Get Ready
(Photo Cred: Sacramento Running Association)
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