For Kelly Powell, running close to 25 miles per week is the norm.
But the Ocean Beach resident, who picked up the sport about 15 years ago, doesn’t consider her training routine nearly as intense as many other friends’ and colleagues’. With a dozen half-marathons under her belt, however, some may beg to differ.
Regardless of setting goals and beating personal records, though, Powell is looking forward to her fourth year running in what she calls, by far, her favorite race.
“It’s just a gorgeous course,” Powell said of the La Jolla Half-Marathon, which spans Torrey Pines State Park and La Jolla Shores. “It’s got a lot of great support along the way with friends and family members cheering you on, and you can’t beat the scenery along the water.”
This year’s 26th annual La Jolla Half-Marathon will draw about 5,000 runners from 39 states to San Diego’s scenic coast Sunday, April 22, for the 13-mile race, beginning at 7 a.m. at the Del Mar fairgrounds and ending in Scripps Park at La Jolla Cove.
The half-marathon serves as the main capital campaign for the Kiwanis Club of La Jolla, according to Doug Bradley, co-chair for this year’s event committee and six-year Kiwanis member.
“Not a single penny of money we raise goes to us ” it all goes back to the community through the Kiwanis Foundation,” Bradley said. “The Kiwanis Club of La Jolla is La Jolla’s oldest community service organization. It’s in its 82nd year and going strong, and this, as our main event, allows the Kiwanis Foundation to turn around and really give back to the community.”
Previous races have generated between $50,000 and $100,000, all of which is allocated to community organizations focused on providing resources for children and the elderly, such as the Children’s Hospital and the Monarch School, Bradley said.
Powell, who also works for Amylin Pharmaceuticals ” the main sponsor for this year’s race ” praised the Kiwanis Club for the amount of effort and volunteer work it dedicates to the event.
Amylin, a San Diego-based company that researches and produces medication for diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease, has about 40 employees participating in the marathon, according to Powell.
“The company wants to promote healthy living,” she said. “Running with a friend, partner or colleague helps to mentally get you prepared for the race. We have teams and we support each other and give each other training tips. It makes for a fun environment.”
Kiwanis also received funding for the event from local businesses, such as La Jolla Cove Suites and the White Sands of La Jolla.
The race draws a diverse crowd, ranging in age from 18 to 80 years old and divided equally among male and female participants, Bradley said. Ninety-four percent of last year’s runners were California residents.
The course for La Jolla’s Half-Marathon has been deemed one of the most picturesque in the country, yet is considered challenging due to Torrey Pines Hill, a steep incline about six miles into the race, Bradley said. The last course record was set in 2003, with Nazario Romero clocking in at 1 hour, 6 minutes.
A 5K jog along La Jolla Shores and a Windansea 5-mile stride will also take place on Sunday, both finishing at the park. The stride, a family-friendly walk welcoming participants with baby strollers and offering pre-race face painting, will be attended this year by a group of children from La Jolla’s Gillispie School, according to Bradley.
A 10 a.m. awards ceremony at the park open to all participants and bystanders will follow the event. Refreshments will be provided by several local restaurants and vendors, and more than $3,000 worth of prizes will be raffled.
In his third year of helping to organize the event, Bradley is confident the committee has accomplished its goal. He said that although a large amount of time and planning goes into the race, it is well worth it in the end.
“It’s a way for everyone to come together to celebrate La Jolla, celebrate San Diego and celebrate good health,” Bradley said. “When you read the headlines and watch the news, you might wonder what good is going on and where are people doing good and just coming together to have fun? This race is where it happens and the Kiwanis Club is where it happens, too.”
Although there’s no hiding her competitive side, Powell said she mainly competes in races to stay active and to just have fun. The fact that the event funds local charitable organizations gives her all the more reason to keep participating, she said.
“Not only does it promote healthy living, but every bit they get out of this race goes right back into their endeavors and that’s fantastic,” she said.
Registration for the half-marathon is closed, but the 5K and Windansea Stride are still open to participants. Cost is $28 for the 5K and $20 for the Windansea Stride. For more information or to register online, visit www.lajollahalfmarathon.com.