L.A. Marathon: Volunteers along the route ready to go

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At the intersection of Bundy Drive and San Vicente Boulevard in West L.A., just shy of the 22-mile marker for this year’s L.A. Marathon, several volunteers huddled early Sunday morning, trying to keep warm as they waited for the big race to begin.

The marathon officially begins at 7:30 a.m. The fastest female runners were expected to come through here at about 9:12 a.m., the men at 9:16 a.m. and the largest pack at 11:09 a.m.

One trio of volunteers, asked to help pass out water, were waiting at 6:30 a.m. for supplies and water to arrive. Across the street, paramedics chatted with each other while others helped set up a medical tent nearby.

PHOTOS: The 2013 Los Angeles Marathon

‘That’s where the action will be,’ volunteer Avi Carmi said.

Carmi, a software engineer, said he is one of dozens of volunteers helping out as radio operators during the marathon. He said he had no particular attachment to the event but organizers needed the help.

‘They needed a volunteer and begged and begged,’ he said.

FULL COVERAGE: 28th Los Angeles Marathon

Meanwhile, the last bicyclists from Sunday morning’s Marathon Crash Race continued to trickle down San Vicente as the sun began to rise.

A few hours before the start of the marathon, thousands of bicyclists crash the blocked-off marathon course for their own race before runners show up.

It’s a chance to hit the streets with no traffic and an organized course. Now an annual event, the pre-marathon ride draws cyclists from across the state and elsewhere.

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- Ari Bloomekatz in West L.A.