After a 17-month hiatus, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon returned to San Diego Sunday, bringing thousands of runners, volunteers and entertainers to the streets of Normal Heights, Balboa Park, Hillcrest and downtown San Diego.
Race director Meryl Leventon said the event logged about 20,000 registered runners crossing the starting line Sunday morning. About 5,000 ran the full marathon with the remaining participants completing a half marathon.
Leventon said it was surreal standing next to the finish line of Sunday’s event, especially after the coronavirus pandemic caused a year and a half of delays.
“Standing here now, knowing we have the last runner crossing the finish line soon ... it just feels surreal to be here,” Leventon said. “We still don’t know 100 percent what things were going to look like ... But it couldn’t have gone better.”
Among the participants was Alex Boswell, a La Jolla resident, who completed her 23rd full marathon Sunday. Boswell is one of the more than 70 legacy runners, who have been a part of the Rock ‘n’ Roll event since it first came to San Diego.
The 56-year-old said she likes to golf and used to be a dancer but never considered herself an avid runner. In 1998, a friend convinced her to train and got her registered for the full marathon race, and she said she’s been competing ever since.
“By my fifth marathon I was like, ‘Well, I can’t give up now,’” she said.
Boswell said she “suckered” La Jolla resident Greg Flynn into joining her a few years ago. Flynn finished his third marathon Sunday, and he and Boswell ran together until the 23rd mile — when Flynn sped ahead.
“I’ve been doing this longer, but he’s faster than me,” Boswell joked.
The two said they didn’t have any friends or family cheering them on Sunday and let the hundreds of volunteers and entertainers who lined the course keep them motivated.
Among some 40 volunteers passing out water on Adams Avenue, near 36th Street, was Devendra Cheatham, a Normal Heights resident.
“It’s fun for me just to see them trying,” Cheatham said. “And I offer what I can. It may just be water, or a cheer of support, but they need it.”
Cheatham has competed in his fair share of marathons, running a race each year in Austin, Texas, until he moved to San Diego in 2010. He’s also a part of the Sri Chinmoy marathon group, which hosts its own marathons all over the world.
He said he’s been volunteering with the Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon for several years.
“I’ve been where they are, and I know what they want and what they need, and how much joy it gives them to see people out here serving them,” Cheatham said. “And I want to see them get that joy. The joy of just trying. Some of them may not finish but that’s OK.”
Chula Vista resident Kathy Worrall grabbed a cup of water from Cheatham’s water station on Adams Avenue.
The 61-year-old, who was walking a half marathon Sunday, has participated in one full marathon and two half marathons in recent years.
She said she didn’t tell her three siblings she was competing this year and didn’t have any supporters in the crowd.
“This one is just for me,” she said. “My family might try and talk me out of it. But I figure, I’m 61. I might as well go for it while I still got it.”
Worrall, who has multiple sclerosis, said she isn’t able to drive because of the disease that affects the central nervous system. She walks and takes public transportation, and she said the walking kept her in good shape to compete this year.
“I start out slow and just gradually increase mileage,” Worrall said. “I walk flats and hills, flats and hills, over and over again until I’m ready.”
She said she planned to keep a good, fast walking pace for the entire half marathon.
“I always tell people, ‘You can outrun me but I can out-walk you,’” Worrall said.
The half and full marathon Sunday began at 6:45 a.m. in Balboa Park. A new 5K race took place Saturday.
Runners, ages 12 to 86, wound through North Park, Normal Heights, Mission Hills, Hillcrest and Old Town before finishing in downtown San Diego.
Leventon said staff spent the past year and a half coordinating with city officials to host the marathon safely, while also ensuring participants get the experience they deserve.
Rather than have the traditional large gathering with live entertainment following the race, Leventon said coordinators inserted some of the entertainers into the race to decrease crowds at the finish line.
This year’s race featured drag performers walking a catwalk in Hillcrest, and a Tom Cruise impersonator dressed in attire from “Top Gun,” taking photos with runners throughout the course.
“People came out in full force,” Leventon said. “The excitement level on this one is above average. Everyone is happy to be here.”
The marathon team also developed ways of honoring front-line health care workers.
“Without them, we probably wouldn’t be here, or be able to have this event,” Leventon said.
Health care workers joined the lead runners, Leventon said, and a front-line worker sang the national anthem at the start of the event.
“It was really special to see them and thank them in person,” Leventon said.
Rock ‘n’ Roll’s next event will take place in Savannah, Ga., next month.
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