Posted on Thu, Apr. 25, 2002
By ANNA DAVISON
Even if pounding the pavement isn’t your thing, there’s
plenty of reasons to head down Highway 1 this weekend.
Sure, there’ll be hoards of sweaty runners competing in
the Big Sur International Marathon, but there’ll also be a host
of great musical acts and other entertainment - from Dixieland
to drumming. It could be the perfect excuse to pack a
picnic basket and head out to the coast for a Sunday in the
sun.
The lineup of performers includes seasoned artists like
jazz/blues trio Andrea’s Fault, classical ensemble I Cantori
Carmel and reggae band Jonah and the Whalewatchers, as well
as student musicians from Seaside High School, Robert Louis
Stevenson School and San Benancio Middle School, among others.
“I’m a great proponent of getting kids out there and letting
them play professionally,” said Janet Lesniak, musical director
for the Big Sur International Marathon.
She’ll be running the course and is looking forward as much
to the music as to the finish line.
Lesniak is particularly excited at the prospect of seeing
drum and dance group Big Sur Natives performing on Monastery
Beach, “if I’m still alive at mile 24.5,” she laughed.
The group will be performing from 4 a.m., for the benefit
of the runners who will be bused from Carmel to the starting
line in Big Sur. The race gun goes off at 7 a.m. and elite runners
will cross the finish line in Carmel a little past 9 a.m.
More than 20 other acts will be spread out along the marathon
course, which will be closed to vehicle traffic at 4 a.m. Sunday.
Spectators hoping to enjoy the performances along the running
route, “will have to either get up very early and pick their
spot, or walk back,” Lesniak said. Most of the spectators congregate
along the finish line, but many hike or bike miles down the
closed road to escape the crowds. There will be plenty
going on at the end of the course, located near the intersection
of Highway 1 and Rio Road at The Crossroads shopping center.
“The big show is going to be at the finishing line,” said spokeswoman
Franca Gargiulo.
Eclectic jazz combo This and That Quartet will be playing
on the awards stage at 8:30 a.m. and spectators can sample food
from vendors and stock up on marathon-wear. The Monterey Jazz
Festival Honors Band will also be entertaining the crowd, and
VIPs can enjoy jazz flutist Kenny Stahl. There’s also
plenty going on before the marathon. On Friday and Saturday,
there’s a chance to learn a little about what it takes to make
it through all 26 undulating miles of the Big Sur course at
a Health and Fitness Expo at the Monterey Conference Center
- race headquarters for the weekend.
There, vendors will set up their booths and inspirational
speakers and Olympians will be on hand to offer tips on how
to unleash your inner athlete and go from spectator to competitor.
Later on Saturday, everybody is invited to carbo-load with
the athletes at a pasta party at the Monterey Marriott Hotel.
All this might just motivate couch potatoes to lace on their
running shoes and break out a sweat.
“I think it’s a great day for non-runners to be inspired
to be runners,” Gargiulo remarked.
After all, as she pointed out, “the core goal of the marathon
is to promote health and fitness.”GO!
Health and Fitness Expo: noon-7 p.m., Friday, April 26 and
8 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, April 27 at the Monterey Conference
Center, 1 Portola Plaza, Monterey Pasta party: 5:30 to 8:00
pm., Saturday, April 27 at the Monterey Marriott, Calle Principal,
Monterey: The buffet includes pasta, salad, bread, fruit, beer
and coffee. Tickets are $20 on sale at the Health and Fitness
Expo.
Performances:
START: Jacqui Hope singing the Star Spangled Banner mile
1.5: Zun Zun (pan flutes)
mile 2: RLS Lower/Middle School Band
mile 2.7: Seaside High School Orchestra
mile 3.5 Susan Bradley Harp
mile 5 NRG Rhythm&Blues
mile 8 York School Brass Quintet
mile9.8 Watsonville Taiko Drums
mile 11 Oasis
mile 12 Russ Guarino’s Dixieland Band
mile 13 Jonathan Lee on the Yamaha Concert Grand Piano
mile 14 JazzMasters Workshop
mile15.4 Andrea’s Fault
mile 15.6 Wild Coast Brass Quintet
mile17.3 Walter Colton Middle School
mile18 San Benancio Middle School Jazz
mile 19 Frank Paul School Room 24 Band
mile 21 Class Brass Quintet
mile 22.5 Nick Fettis Piano
mile 23 I Cantori Di Carmel
mile 23.5 Coast Highlander Bagpipers
mile 24.5 Big Sur Natives
mile 25 Monterey Community Band
mile 25.4 Jonah and the Whalewatchers
Awards Stage: This and That Quartet
VIP Tent: Kenny Stahl
High Five Party: Monterey Jazz Festival Honor Band
|
