In 2017 and 2018, Sacramento will be hosting the U.S. Marathon Championships. To be held at the California International Marathon for men and women a $140,000 prize purse (an increase of nearly $100,00 from 2016) will make it the largest prize in event history.

The events – that will take place on December 3 of this year and December 2 of next – will be held together with the 35th and 36th annual California International Marathons. Scott Abbot, Executive Director of Sacramento Running Association was said to have been “honored” at having been selected, especially given that this event is seen as “one of the top performance running events in the country, so it provides the perfect platform for the U.S. Marathon Championship competition.”

However, it should not come as such as surprise since the state has rightfully earned a reputation as featuring one of America’s best running communities. As such, there has been a lot of work undertaken between the Sacramento Running Association, the Sacramento Sports Commission and the Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau on the bid in an effort to bring championship running events to the area over the next two to three years.

It is anticipated that the top US distance runners will travel to Sacramento to compete in the event both this and next year, rendering Sacramento as “center stage for professional marathoners from all over the country,” clearly putting the state in a prominent position on the map.