The Snows — Rusty and June — and Dan Campbell have worked countless hours to make sure Saturday's Santa Barbara International Marathon goes off without a hitch. (Randy Weiss photo)
It’s been a year in the making …
Every painstaking detail.
Changes. Enhancements. Some surprises. Even a little pizazz.
Entertainment, too!
And for Rusty Snow, Santa Barbara International (SBI) Marathon & Half Marathon race director, along with his wife, June, who serves as the expo and finish-line coordinator and Dan Campbell, uber-experienced logistics coordinator, the moment has arrived.
“We’re ready!” Snow stated.
Saturday is their third year orchestrating the SBI Marathon and second Half Marathon venues as a team.
“We get a little smarter each year with more experience,” added Snow.
The first seeds were planted years ago when this local running guru realized the potential….
“Rusty looked around and said we should have a BIG race here, like Boston,” June Snow, mother of their two kids, savvy businesswoman and seasoned runner herself, offered.
“Santa Barbara is a world-class community and we wanted to share it with others around the world. Plus, we wanted to give back to our local community, as well,” Mr. Snow said.
Campbell, with 65 finish lines behind him, jumped on board to provide technical expertise.
“My role is all the permitting and all the framework,” he said.
And, in addition to her own many race tasks, June keeps them all focused.
“She keeps us moving forward,” her husband stated.
After three years, they are beginning to see the fruits of their labors …
“We believe we have the faith and confidence of the local municipalities … we did whatever they asked quickly, with professionalism and 100% gusto. And because of that, we can do more to give back to the community,” Campbell said.
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2011 Elite Runners
Full Moninda Marube – 2010 SBI Marathon winner
Jeffrey McClellan — a 2:23 marathoner
Michael Wardian — ran a 2:22 marathon one day & 2:31 the next day
Kary O’Brien — in only her 2nd marathon is trying for sub 3-hour time
Half Jason Delaney — ran 2:19:17 in Boston Marathon
Kenneth Foster — a 1:06 half marathoner
Joshua Glaab — also a 1:06 half marathoner
Christian Hesch — experienced runner from Morro Bay
Liana Bernard — tuning up for USA Olympic Trials
Andrea Mclarty — won 2009 SBI Marathon & 2010 Half Marathon
2011 Local Faves With Best Shot
Full Kary O’Brien
Half Andrea Mclarty, Todd Booth, Ricky Ho, Mike Shalhoub
Masters Tim Strand (Half Marathon))
2011 Race Starts
Full 7:15 a.m. — Dos Pueblos HS
Half 7:45 a.m. (3 waves, 5 minutes apart) — Ben Page Youth Center
New This Year
- Half Marathon has new starting location (see above),
- Among the pace cars is an authentic World War II vehicle,
- Spectators will be provided USA Flags to celebrate Veterans Day,
- More entertainment – ukuleles, violinists, quartets, Brazilian dancers!
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By the Numbers
$1 Amount per registration for the Community Environmental Council
13.1 Half Marathon mileage
14 Countries represented by runners
18 Water/GUBREW Stations along routes
26.2 Full Marathon mileage
49 Vendors at Finish Line
50 States represented by runners
85 Relay teams (Full Marathon only)
85% Runners living outside of SB
100 Relay Teams – max
100% Local volunteers assisting on the courses
186 Porta-potties along routes (more than Fiesta!)
500+ Non-perishable items hoping to be collected for Foodbank of SB
1,000+ Course volunteers
1,400 Entries – Full Marathon
3,800 Entries – Half Marathon
4,000 Gallons of water for runners along routes
4,950 Local hotel rooms (nights total) used by runners and supporters
5,000 Wrapped Savoy Café & Deli cookies for runners at Finish Line
30,000+ Cones to mark course, protect runners & traffic control
82,000 Water cups
$2,000,000+ Projected positive boost to local economy
Zillion Calories scorched by runners
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Asked the biggest difference over the last three years, Campbell said …
“What changed? SB believes. They saw it could happen.”
And all three agree, “It’s been the hardest three years we have ever been through.”
But, it’s a labor of love and all very worthwhile when they witness the runners’ faces crossing the finish line.
“We’d like to thank the Santa Barbara community for trusting us and knowing that we care about our community. We live here and are raising our kids here. It’s a wonderful place to hold an international competition,” Snow said.
When asked if anything else, he added …
“Yeah, pray for no rain!!”
Seasoned runner Melissa Marsted with sons Peter (left) and William, both Dos Pueblos athletes, will run the relay to raise money for The Dream Foundation.
