Long Beach Marathon Has International Field

The Long Beach Marathon will be run Sunday amid predictions of potential record-setting performances from an international field that includes a dozen runners whose best marathon times are faster than those of last year’s winner.

“This could be the fastest race Long Beach has ever seen,” said Long Beach Marathon race director John Goldman.

“This year’s time on the men’s side is anywhere from eight to 10 minutes faster than last year.”

The marathon will start at Shoreline Drive near the Pedestrian Bridge at 8 a.m. and end at the Pyramid.

The day’s events also include a half marathon, an in-line skating marathon, as well as a wheelchair and children’s race.

Among the top competitors in the men’s field are John Kibkoskei of Kenya and James Bungei, who finished second at the 1999 Los Angeles Marathon.

Brazil, which has brought four of its top marathoners, is expected to make a strong showing, along with Nigeria and Russia.

Irina Safarova of Russia is the favorite in the women’s field after a strong performance at this year’s Twin Cities Marathon in Minnesota, where her time was eight minutes faster than that of last year’s Long Beach winner.

Darlene Mota of Tustin and Katy Spink of Palo Alto are also strong contenders.