ARTURO BARRIOS INVITATIONAL

What--A 10-kilometer road race named after the world-record holder in 10,000 meters on the track (27:08.23) and on the road (27:39). There will be three races, the invitational, a people’s 10K in which Barrios, who does not train in October, will run, and a people’s 5K.

Where--Chula Vista Marina. The invitational race begins on Bay Boulevard and takes an immediate right onto J Street. Runners turn left on Marina Parkway, then make three loops around the marina.

When--The 5K begins at 7:45 a.m. and the people’s 10K at 8:15. The elite race begins at 9:45.

Who--The men’s field is headed by Norwegian John Halverson, considered the toughest road racer competing this season. His 10K best is 27:43 on the track. Others include Steve Jones, a former world-record holder in the marathon who has a 10K best of 27:57; Steve Placentia, among the top three Americans at 10,000 meters for four consecutive years who has a best of 27:51; Bo Reed, one of the country’s top cross-country runners who has had success in San Diego, having won one 10K in the past two years (his best is 28:11); defending champion Matt Clayton from nearby Mar Vista High; Belgian J.P. Ndayisenga, who has a best of 28:16, and Harry Green, 23, who won the Tom Sullivan 10K earlier this year and has a best of 28:19. There will be more than 30 men who have finished 10 kilometers in under 30 minutes. In the women’s field, there will be two Soviets, Olga Nazarkina, 19, a junior world record-holder who has a best of 32:25.74; and Nadezhda Iijina, the 1989 Soviet national champion for 10,000 meters (32:35.19). Also competing will be PattiSue Plumer, the U.S.-record holder in the 5,000 and a gold medalist at last summer’s Goodwill Games; Lisa Weidenbach, considered this country’s top female marathoner, and Jeanne Lasse-Johnson, San Diego County’s top female distance runner.

Why--This is the second consecutive year Barrios has sponsored the race in an effort to raise money toward a scholarship fund for local Latino high school graduates. For the elite runners, there are monetary rewards. First-place winners in the men’s and women’s divisions each receive $4,000, $2,400 goes to the second-place finishers, $1,200 to third. In all, $20,000 will be distributed to the top nine finishers.