Recent event covered: Sunday, January 16th.2011. The 2nd Annual  13.1 Marathon® and Karhu 5K

Following insert taken from www.131marathon.com. Photos by Venice Paparazzi

Thousands Take to Streets of Venice for 2nd Annual   13.1 Marathon® and Karhu 5K

Christopher Toroitich breaks 13.1 Marathon® record in 1:05:11 (photo right)

Los Angeles, CA January 16, 2011 –   The 2nd annual 13.1 Marathon® – Los Angeles took place this morning, Sunday, January 16, 2011, beginning at 7:13am.  Beginning along the scenic Venice Beach Boardwalk and ending at the historic Windward Circle, 13.1® – Los Angeles offered racers a Tinseltown themed race complete with fire dancers, Tokyo drummers, and live bands.

Racers were cheered on at the start and finish lines by Hollywood impersonators and Iconic Venice Beach personalities like Harry Perry, the roller skating and guitar playing Kamakosmic Krusader who also ran the half marathon.

The 13.1 Marathon® and Karhu 5K greeted finishers with medals and post- race replenishment which featured gourmet food trucks The Sweets Truck, Streets of Thailand, Get Shaved, Dogtown Dogs.

First place finisher, Christopher Toroitich, an elite athlete who hails from Kenya conquered the course in one hour, five minutes, and eight seconds.  When asked why he decided to run the 13.1 Marathon® Toroitich said “I am excited to run the 13.1 Marathon because it is one of the finest half marathon courses in the world. It is flat, fast, and L.A. is a great place to be especially in January.”

Toroitich was the winner of the 2009 Las Vegas Marathon, placed 2nd in the 2008 Los Angeles Marathon and has consistently placed at the top of the field in competitions in which he has entered.

The first place female, Megan Nedlo finished in one hour, twenty minutes, and thirty seconds a new personal record.

Because Karhu mean’s ‘bear’ in Finnish, the Karhu 5K challenged racers to “Beat the Bear”.  Any runner who “beat the Karhu bear” during the 5K and crossed the finish line before the bear, was presented with a ticket good for a free pair of Karhu running shoes of their choice from the Top to Top specialty run store. Nine racers finished ahead of the Karhu Bear who completed the 5K in eighteen minutes and forty-seven seconds.

The official benefiting charity, Team World Vision raced to raise funds for clean water projects in Kenya and Malawi.  Racer Jeff Verry pushed his 72 lb ‘gadget’ equipped with 20 liters of water – the amount that is needed each day for basic sanitation and consumption according to the United Nations Human Development Report.  For more information on Team World Vision please visit www.worldvision.org

For more information on 13.1 Marathon® – Los Angeles please visit www.131losangeles.com.

Photo:  Starting point:  The Venice Beach Boardwalk and Rose Ave.
Photo:  Thousands of people in attendance
Photo:  Local celeb Harry Perry spotted in the race.  Go Harry!
Photo:  The Venice Beach Boardwalk at 7:30 a.m.
Photo:  Beat the Karhu bear
Photo:  Top Male Finisher – Half Marathon.  Christopher Toroitich: 01:05:11.
Hotel Erwin’s Jairo Torres breaks his personal record.  Way to go Jairo!
Photo:  Hotel Erwin’s Jairo Torres and Venice Paparazzi’s Edizen
In this photo:  Cliff Bar’s Josh far right.
Photo:  Hollywood comes to Venice.
Photo:  Windward Circle after party

Click on the “View photos” button below to view all event pics.

GET YOUR FREE DIGITAL PHOTOS FROM THIS GALLERY, COURTESY OF HOTEL ERWIN. http://www.hotelerwin.com
About Hotel Erwin: Hotel Erwin, located in Venice Beach, is like the underground album that’s been discovered to critical acclaim. For those in the know, soaking up California’s Venice Beach will never be the same. A mere 200 feet from the sand and overlooking the famous boardwalk in its tattooed, festive splendor, Hotel Erwin is a pure Venice Beach experience. Part art gallery. Part beach house. Part people-watching perch. With a classic breakfast spot and rooftop lounge added for good measure. Local customs must be observed, after all.
Eat. Drink. Swim. Gallery-hop. Work out, even (at our gym, unless you’re ready for Muscle Beach). New to Southern California? We offer tours of Los Angeles area attractions, perfect for those traveling from abroad. Whether you’re here on vacation with family, polishing a screenplay or just want to stroll Venice Beach’s historic canals and alleys with your baby hipsters in tow, the Erwin Venice Beach hotel is here for you. For more info, http://www.hotelerwin.com

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