Runners take off along Shoreline Drive at the start of the Long Beach Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Photo by Stephen Carr.
Thousands of runners and those cheering them on flooded the streets of Downtown, Belmont Shore and East Long Beach early Sunday morning as the city’s marathon returned after a hiatus in 2020 due to COVID-19.
The mood was festive and spirited, with some competitors dressed in costumes ranging from Superman to fairies.
The race got off to an earlier start this year, with half-marathoners leaving in waves from 7 a.m. to 7:50 a.m., as infrastructure from the Acura Grand Prix is still in place near the start and finish line on Shoreline Drive.
The winner of the men’s marathon was Kenneth Richardson with a time of 2:27:20.76, and women’s winner was Bonnie Axman Keating with a time of 2:49:25.37.
Roughly 10,000 people participated in the full and half marathons, as well as a bike tour and virtual races.
Runners along Shoreline Drive, at the start of the Long Beach Marathon & Half Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Photo by Stephen Carr.Jesse Swalley, of Palmdale, uses his skateboard, on his knees, along Shoreline Drive, at the start of the Long Beach Marathon & Half Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Photo by Stephen Carr.Runners along Shoreline Drive, at the start of the Long Beach Marathon & Half Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Photo by Stephen Carr.Long Beach Marathon winner Kenneth Richardson, of Ogden, Utah, along Shoreline Drive. Richardson crossed the finish line with a time of 2:27.20.76 on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Photo by Stephen Carr.Long Beach Marathon winner Kenneth Richardson, of Ogden, Utah, runs along Shoreline Drive. Richardson crossed the finish line with a time of 2:27.20.76 on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Photo by Stephen Carr.Long Beach Marathon third place winner Nate Clayson, of Saratoga Springs, Utah, and second Place winner Nicholas Spector, of Costa Mesa, run along Shoreline, on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Photo by Stephen Carr.Runners along Shoreline Drive are at the start of the Long Beach Marathon & Half Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Photo by Stephen Carr.Runners along Shoreline Drive are at the start of the Long Beach Marathon & Half Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Photo by Stephen Carr.Runners along Shoreline Drive, at the start of the Long Beach Marathon & Half Marathon Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Photo by Stephen Carr.Runners take off along Shoreline Drive, at the start of the Long Beach Marathon & Half Marathon, on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Photo by Stephen Carr.Runners travel along Shoreline Drive during the Long Beach Marathon & Half Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Photo by Stephen Carr.Runners travel along Shoreline Drive during the Long Beach Marathon & Half Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Photo by Stephen Carr.Runners travel along Rainbow Lagoon during the Long Beach Marathon & Half Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Photo by Stephen Carr.Runners travel along Shoreline Drive during the Long Beach Marathon & Half Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Photo by Stephen Carr.Runners travel along Shoreline Drive during the Long Beach Marathon & Half Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Photo by Stephen Carr.Runners travel along Rainbow Lagoon during the Long Beach Marathon & Half Marathon on Sunday, Oct.10, 2021. Photo by Stephen Carr.Runners run past Lions Lighthouse during the Long Beach Marathon & Half Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Photo by Stephen Carr.Members of the Long Beach Poly wrestling team hand out water to runners in Shoreline Village during the Long Beach Marathon & Half Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Photo by Stephen Carr.Medals are stacked for runners at the finish of the Long Beach Marathon & Half Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Photo by Stephen Carr.Second place half marathon finisher August Pappas, of Nashville, Tennessee, rests after crossing the finish line of the Long Beach Marathon & Half Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Photo by Stephen Carr.Runners reach the finish line of the Long Beach Marathon & Half Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Photo by Stephen Carr.Supporters cheer on runners at the finish of the Long Beach Marathon & Half Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Photo by Stephen Carr.Manuel Perez, of Santa Ana, uses his cape to help him across the finish of the Long Beach Marathon & Half Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Photo by Stephen Carr.Runners reach the finish of the Long Beach Marathon & Half Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Photo by Stephen Carr.
