At a time when some folks were just getting home from their Saturday evening festivities, several thousand people peeled themselves away from their cozy beds a couple of hours before sunrise on Super Bowl Sunday morning, pasted on their NipGuards and laced up their Nikes to run the Surf City Marathon and Half Marathon (formerly Pacific Shoreline). In the rain no less.

The rain didn't seem to be a deterrent as close to 10,000 runners ran the Pacific Coast Highway course, enjoying the gorgeous views, or at least what could be seen through the rain. Although Surf City offers a marathon and a 5K as well, the vast majority of runners were there for the half marathon, using the race as a tune up for the Los Angeles Marathon next month, the big one for many local runners. Running in the rain isn't something runners enjoy, but it's a good test of a runner's tenacity and dedication. It's not so bad, really. You get used to being soaked. The wind was the big problem. However, having endured the rain, many of the runners today should be ready for what the LA Marathon will throw at them next month.

Great job, runners!

Photos by me via Flickr