Previously the run has gone through Irvine instead of Costa Mesa, but course designers opted for a change of scenery this year.
“In past years we were declining in registration because of the unpopularity of the course, which is why we changed it to incorporate some of these magnificent views,” said marathon Chairman Scott Baugh.
This year registration is up 30% from the same time last year, he said Thursday.
Most of the streets taken by runners will be closed starting at 6 a.m., with the last ones opening back up at 2 p.m.
In general, all the streets in Newport Beach will reopen by about 10:15 a.m. while some in Costa Mesa will remain closed for the duration of the run. For a complete listing of street closures, visit www.ocmarathon.com.
A few different events will precede the marathon. One of the highlights is the kids run featuring boys and girls running one mile each week for 25 weeks leading up to the marathon and then doing the final 1.2 miles Saturday morning starting at 9 a.m. to make a total of 26.2 miles (the length of a full marathon).
“The idea there is to get the kids focused on what it means to run a marathon,” Baugh said.
A health and running gear expo at the fairgrounds will take place from noon to 7 p.m. today and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The marathon provides a fundraising platform for 16 local children’s charities by allowing them to set up booths and letting them form teams of people running the race who can search out sponsorships in the community, according to marathon spokeswoman Peggy Fort.
