Annual Marathon to Be Run Rain or Shine, Organizers Say

The specter of El Nino will not deter the 50th Culver City marathon Sunday, organizers said.

“The race goes on rain or shine,” said race director Jack Nakanishi.

The event--formally known as the Western Hemisphere Marathon--is billed as the second-oldest, consecutively held race in the nation after the 100-year-old Boston Marathon.

Although not as prominent as races held in larger cities, it has set some records, including the first marathon to include wheelchairs (1951), women (1971) and in-line skaters (1995), Nakanishi said.

“It’s smaller in scale and ideal for first-time runners,” he added, because the course is flat and not as strenuous.

Last year 3,000 people participated in the race.

The in-line skating event starts at 7 a.m.; the main and half marathon start at 8 a.m.; a 5K run is at 8:10 a.m. and a 5K walk 8:15 a.m.

All events start and finish at Overland Avenue near Culver Boulevard. The main marathon costs $30 to enter; other events range in price from $10 to $30. For more information, call the 24-hour marathon hotline at (310) 838-4200.