Many large urban marathons cause major traffic problems with major highways, streets and bridges closed for hours. The course also requires fewer volunteers to staff water stations or direct runners. Some runners also like being able to see the runners in front or behind them for most of the race. Of course, the course offers the same scenery the second time around, which is unappealing to some runners. Sturgeon has directed the event for the past 16 years after taking over from Sacramento running pioneer John McIntosh.
Family members do everything from announcing to timing to cooking hot dogs and hamburgers.
Sturgeon estimates he and his wife Charlotte devote approximately 1,000 hours a year organizing the race. Volunteer support for the event comes from area high school track and cross-country teams, which receive a donation from race proceeds. Like other marathons, Sturgeon's event is affected by changing runner demographics. Marathon running was once the domain of men in their late 20s and early 30s. These days, most of the men runners are in their late 40s, and one-third of the field is women.