Comstock's magazine 0919 - September 2019 | Page 75

special supplement
California International Marathon
FOLSOM — THE STARTING LINE OF A REGIONAL SUCCESS STORY
F
olsom represents the California confirms Mansoor. “Launching this as a
International Marathon’s beginning: premier race took tremendous backing from
It is the starting point of the 26.2- cities and financial partners.”
mile race that goes all the way to the State
Capitol , and it was central to envisioning the
event. “Our goal from the start was to create
an international event,” says John Mansoor,
cofounder and race director from 1983 to
2012. Sally Edwards, the co-founder of the
famed Fleet Feet running shoes, is the other
founder. Drawing thousands of elite and
recreational runners from across the nation
and around the globe, this race has been a
growing success from its inception to today.
In 1983, developers Angelo K. Tsakopoulos
and Bill Cummings provided the prize
money needed to attract the world’s elite
runners. “This event would not have gotten
off the ground without their support,”
Thanks to the event’s original partners and
supporters, including the Folsom Chamber
of Commerce, the marathon had immediate
success on an international level. Today, the
race draws nearly 9,000 runners and has
about a $12 million annual economic impact
on the region with close to 5,000 room nights
in regional hotels. It is one of the fastest
growing marathons in the U.S. and is the No.
1 qualifier for the Boston Marathon.
Every December, thousands of runners from
around the world support and highlight
our region, thanks to the vision of the
race’s founders and critical backing from
Tsakopoulos and Cummings.
“
In 1983 Bill Cummings and I,
along with a dedicated team
of volunteers, envisioned
a Folsom to Sacramento
Marathon — which is now
the California International
Marathon — as a way to
celebrate and showcase
the natural beauty and
healthful living in Folsom
and throughout our region.
We are humbled and grateful
that CIM has grown into one
of the most beloved regional
events and focused the eyes
of the international running
community on Folsom and
Sacramento.
— ANGELO K. TSAKOPOULOS
”
Chairman of AKT Investments &
Original CIM financial backer
Profile Sponsored By
RunSRA.org
September 2019 | comstocksmag.com
75