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Lake Tahoe Marathon returns to South Shore for 21st year, brings fun to running

Anthony Gentile | agentile@tahoedailytribune.com
Runners gather at the start line before the 2015 Emerald Bay Half Marathon during last year's Lake Tahoe Marathon weekend. The event returns for a 21st edition next weekend, Oct. 7-9.
Courtesy / Bonnefin Studios |

21st Lake Tahoe Marathon weekend schedule

Friday, Oct. 7

7 a.m. — Lakeside Marathon

9 a.m. — Nevada Half Marathon

5 p.m. — Historic Fun Run to Nevada Beach

Saturday, Oct. 8

7 a.m. — Cal-Neva Marathon

9 a.m. — Carnelian Bay Half Marathon

9 p.m. — Midnight Express 72 Mile Ultra

Sunday, Oct. 9

8 a.m. — Lake Tahoe Marathon

8 a.m. — 16.6 Miler

8:20 a.m. — Edgewood Tahoe 10K

8:30 a.m. — Super Hero 5K Pumpkin Run

9:30 a.m. — Optimist Kids Pumpkin Runs

10 a.m. — Emerald Bay Half Marathon

More than 1,500 runners will flock to the Tahoe region this weekend for the 21st Lake Tahoe Marathon. At an array of distances during the three-day event, most of them won’t be aiming for a top time.

“This is not a personal record course, it’s a PW course — personal worst,” event director Les Wright said. “People come here to have a good time, they’re not going to get a good time.”

The weekend’s title event begins at 8 a.m. Sunday, and runs from Homewood through South Lake Tahoe before ending at Lakeside Beach. The Lake Tahoe Marathon is one of 12 races during the weekend, in addition to a health and fitness expo Friday and Saturday on the South Shore.



“It’s special because of the scenery,” Wright said of the races. “We keep it friendly and low-key — we have a lot of fun with it. It’s a great event.”

The weekend kicks off Friday morning with the Lakeside Marathon, which takes runners from Lakeside Beach to Incline Village.



Friday also features the Nevada Half Marathon that starts at Spooner Summit, a historic fun run to Nevada Beach with Neal Chappell and the expo from 5-8 p.m.

On Saturday, the Cal-Neva Marathon from Sand Harbor to Homewood kicks things off at 7 a.m. The Carnelian Bay Half Marathon hits the ground at 9 a.m., and the Midnight Express 72 Mile Ultra starts in the dark 12 hours later — the expo runs from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The weekend comes to a close with six events Sunday, including the Edgewood Tahoe 10K and Super Hero 5K Pumpkin Run at 8:20 and 8:30 a.m.

The course for both races features stretches on the scenic South Shore golf course, and those running in costume for the 5k event get a one-minute head start.

The kids race begins at 10 a.m. near the marathon’s finish line at Lakeside Beach, and is open to children between the ages of 1 and 10. The free event hosted by Optimist Club features distances that vary by age, from 30 yards to a half-mile.

“If folks in town have kids, bring them on down to run,” Wright said.

Some participants will aim to tackle a marathon each day to earn the “triple marathon” distinction by the end of the weekend. Those that attempt a half-marathon each day are recognized with a “trifecta” medal.

“We have a lot of people come back every year, and they come from all over the country and around the world,” Wright said, adding that this year’s field includes runners from Australia, Brazil, South Africa and Taiwan. “We have the usual suspects coming back.”

For the second straight year, Sunday’s marathon will run through South Lake Tahoe before finishing at Lakeside Beach. Wright suggested Lakeview Commons as a good site to view the race.

“It’s a nice little city course,” Wright said. “Anybody out in town that wants to come and help, we’ll find something for them.”


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