After Four-Year Break, a Return to Long Beach

The Long Beach Marathon will be run today for the first time since 1995 with a new course and predictions of potential record-setting performances.

John Goldman, executive race director, said an international field in the marathon will highlight the day’s events, which also include in-line, wheelchair and children’s races as well as a 5K.

As many as 10,000 participants, including 5,000 for the 7 a.m. half-marathon and marathon, are expected to compete, Goldman said.

The race begins and ends at the corner of Ocean and Long Beach boulevards in front of the Westin Hotel and will be run mostly on a flat course designed for faster times.

The race began in 1982 and was last run in 1995 before financial problems and a lack of backing forced it under.

Among the top competitors in the men’s race are Gary Stoltz, who competes for Team Nike, and Francismar de Barros of Brazil, who won the Rio de Janeiro marathon earlier this year, Goldman said.

The women’s field features Nihm Nicholas, a former All-American at Oregon. Goldman said former Cal State Los Angeles standout Sylvia Mosqueda has inquired about competing but as of Friday had not decided.