PHOTO GALLERY INTRO: The 2011 Santa Barbara International Marathon looked like it was going to experience a morning of bad weather but the rain blew out of the area overnight on Friday and race day turned out to be another magnificent Santa Barbara day.
Over 3500 runners competed in the marathon and 1/2 marathon, along with a host of supporters and fans cheering them on.
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The festivities at La Playa Stadium on Saturday under sunny blue skies. (Presidio Sports Photo)
There's nothing like having a group of friends to run with.
Volunteers are indispensible to the marathon effort
The final two miles of the course was downhill
The marathon course began at Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta and made its way to SBCC.
The women's podium was populated by Laura Turner, center, Kathryn O'Brien, right, and Joy Zemella.
Runners weren't the only people the marathon attracted. A number of musicians and entertainers contributed to the fun atmosphere.
This Mesa resident was all about the polka.
Shoreline Park served as the home stretch for race participants
While a runner in a full Bird Bird outfit drew the most attention, many other competitors ran in style.
