Long Beach held its annual 5k, half marathon and bike tour Saturday and Sunday along Shoreline Drive and Shoreline Village Drive, drawing thousands from diverse backgrounds.
Plenty of runners teamed up to complete the race as a group, with many carrying Mexican flags, or wearing matching T-shirts. The marathon was organized into “waves,” in which groups of participants were released in intervals from the starting line.
As the day progressed, participants encouraged one another while spectators held signs and refreshments to show their support. One onlooker waved a yellow paper sign that read “Tap here to power up,” a nod to the Super Mario Bros. video game.
The event tested the endurance of many runners, with one woman seen vomiting after crossing the finish line. Still, the marathon captured the spirit of determination as participants pushed through challenges to achieve their goals, proving that persistence often leads to victory.
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