The San Francisco Chronicle Marathon, which will mark a symbolic 26th annual running of 26.2 miles in the city on Sunday, July 27, is growing new wings. Following last year's introduction of a popular flatter and faster course that showcases the city, and a new downtown start/finish at Justin Herman Plaza, race organizers predict an unusually large turnout for this year's race and its companion events. In fact, based on pre-race entries, 7,000 runners are forecast for the marathon and the same-morning 4-person marathon relay, half marathon, and 5- kilometer run/walk. According to event producer Peter Nantell of West End Management, those numbers are on target to produce the largest number of starters for the marathon since the late 1980s.

"I'm very excited about this year's race," Nantell said. "After producing it for a number of years, it finally makes sense. Activities are all staged at one location right on San Francisco's historic Embarcadero. The Ferry Building construction is completed with a food mart and Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market, so that will be part of the flavor of the event. And, growth looks good."

Race director Miranda Lindl is equally enthused about the event which also includes the 2003 Chronicle Marathon Healthy Living Expo, July 25-27 (Friday-Sunday) at Justin Herman Plaza, across the Embarcadero from the Ferry Building and the marathon's start/finish line.

"Public response about the 2002 course change has been overwhelmingly positive," said Lindl, "with the start, finish, expo, hotels, pasta feed and other aspects of the race within walking distance of one another. My team is working very hard to make our race the very best experience for all the participants and the entire city."

Indeed, the San Francisco Chronicle Marathon's race course showcases the very best that the "City By the Bay" has to offer. The scenic loop course features many of San Francisco's scenic landmarks such as Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Park and Presidio National Park; offers views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island; and takes runners along the Pacific Ocean, through the Haight-Ashbury District, and past baseball's Pacific Bell Park. The downtown start/finish line in front of the Ferry Building at the city's historic world trade port is icing on the cake for a marathon that traditionally attracts runners from all over the U.S. and many parts of the globe because of its mid-summer natural air conditioning. San Francisco's average temperature is 60 degrees in July.

This year, the race has increased its number of course monitors to 250, ensuring smooth sailing for all runners. In addition, national embassies (Canada, Japan, Italy, and two from Brazil) will punctuate five of the 12 water stations on the course with volunteers dressed in traditional country attire and provide music. The area's running clubs will also staff water stations with volunteers.

One especially attractive feature for race participants this year is the event's new and unique "choose a half" option. The 2003 half marathon allows participants to choose which half of the marathon course they want to run. The first half marathon (0 miles to 13.1 miles) starts at 7:00 am (the same time as the marathon) and follows the first portion of the Chronicle Marathon course. The second half marathon (13.1 miles to 26.2 miles) starts at 8:45 a.m. and follows the second portion of the marathon course.

Entrants in this year's half marathon race include Linda Somers Smith, one of America's top female marathoners for the past decade. Somers Smith, 42, has entered the half marathon as a tune-up for the IAAF World Track & Field Championships in Paris. She was selected for the U.S. World Championships marathon team that will compete in the 26.2-miler in the City of Lights on August 31. Somers Smith is an Olympian who competed in the 1996 Olympic marathon in Atlanta. She also competed in the 1995 World Championships. She owns a marathon personal best of 2:30:06.

The marathon and two half marathon races feature a total of $10,000 in prize money to be distributed among the overall male and female winners and first master (age 40 and over) runner in each of the events. In addition, the first place male and female San Francisco residents in the marathon will also share in the prize money. All marathon and half marathon participants will receive finisher medals. Refreshments are provided to participants in all races. Chiquita is providing bananas, Heartland Soups is serving hot soup, and 20-plus other vendors will be distributing food and goodies compliments of Whole Foods.

Everyone is a winner at the Chronicle Marathon including the marathon's official charity beneficiaries. The Chronicle Marathon's unique "Cause to Run" program allows participants to pledge support to any of these charity organizations, raise funds, and earn pledge prizes by participating in any of the running/walking events. Last year, race participants raised over $100,000 for local charities that provide valuable and much-needed services for the community.

The featured cause for 2003 is the California/Bay Area Breast Cancer Research Program. Since 1994, the organization has generated more than $130 million for California scientists and community researchers to find better ways to prevent, treat, and cure breast cancer.

"The Cause To Run is a great opportunity for Bay Area residents to support meaningful research in breast cancer," said Marion H.E. Kavanaugh-Lynch, M.D., M.P.H., and Director of the CBCRP. "Every pledge will have an impact on further investigation of this complex disease."

Associated charity causes for 2003 are: Continuum HIV Day Services, Organs "R" Us: Organ Donation, Haight Ashbury Food Program, Abada Capoeira, STOP AIDS Project, San Francisco SPCA, World PULSE, 826 Valencia, and Family Builders by Adoption.

Another unique feature of the Chronicle Marathon is the event's Progressive Run. Not everyone is able or inclined to run a full marathon in a single effort, so participants in the Progressive Marathon run or walk 26.2 miles incrementally over a period of weeks or months. Progressive Marathoners run or walk the final part of their cumulative marathon by participating in the 5K Run/Walk on Chronicle Marathon race day.

Last year, among 4,300 finishers (all races), Nate Bowen of Menlo Park, CA easily won the men's marathon race in a finishing time of 2 hours, 31 minutes, and 46 seconds. Berkeley, CA's Magdalena Lewy won the women's race in 2:50:11 (2:53:55 adjusted). Craig Steinmaus (2:41:29) and Micha Lowe (3:10:02) were the top San Francisco resident finishers.

Schedule of Events

Fri July 25, 11:00 AM -  7:00 PM    Healthy Living Expo
Sat July 26,  9:00 AM -  5:00 PM    Healthy Living Expo
Sun July 27,  7:00 AM - 12:30 PM    Healthy Living Expo
Sat July 26,  4:00 PM -  8:00 PM    Pasta Feed
Sun July 27,  7:00 AM       Marathon Start
Sun July 27,  7:00 AM       Half Marathon-First Half Start
Sun July 27,  8:45 AM       Half Marathon-Second Half Start
Sun July 27,  7:00 AM       4-Person Marathon Relay Start
Sun July 27,  8:00 AM       5K Community Run/Walk Start
Sun July 27,  8:00 AM       Progressive Marathon Start

Complete information about the San Francisco Chronicle Marathon, including registration details and online registration for all events, is available online at www.ChronicleMarathon.com, or you can call the race hotline at (415) 284-9653.

The 2003 Chronicle Marathon is sponsored by the San Francisco Chronicle, KPIX Channel 5, SFGate.com, 96.5 KOIT, Hyatt Regency San Francisco, Esker Natural Spring Water, Heartland Soups, Whole Foods, GU Energy Gel, Chiquita, SoBe Lean, Organs 'R" Us, California Breast Cancer Research Program, the San Francisco Municipal Railway, the Port of San Francisco, the Embarcadero Center, and the San Francisco Road Runners Club.