Marathon bigger than ever

Fitting enough for a Super Bowl Sunday, the scale of the Surf City USA Marathon keeps getting bigger and bigger every year, as well.

More than 20,000 runners are expected to compete in three divisions — marathon, half marathon and 5K — in the 14th annual event Sunday morning.

That’s the most ever to compete in the race formerly known as the Pacific Shoreline Marathon, organizers said, and about 2,000 runners more than last year.

The race sold out early, but they tried to satisfy the extra demand.

Other big numbers include more than 45,000 spectators anticipated and about 2,000 volunteers working along the various courses.

The marathon itself, a Boston Marathon qualifier, starts at 6:30 a.m. at Pacific Coast Highway and Huntington Street.

The half marathon will start at 7:45 a.m. at the same location, with the 5K getting going at 6:50 a.m. at PCH and Main Street.

PCH from Beach Boulevard to Warner Avenue will be closed from 1 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, and other area roads will be closed from 6 to 9:30 a.m.

The course for the marathon begins at the Huntington Beach Pier, then spends miles two through nine in Central Park. Miles nine to 15 are in Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, at which point the marathon veers back toward the coast to a beachfront running path and eventually back to PCH and the pier.

Awards ceremonies are set for 8 a.m. for the 5K, 10 a.m. for the half marathon and 10:30 a.m. for the marathon. The top three male and female finishers will receive awards.

Ieng Klukken of Huntington Beach is the reigning women’s marathon champion, finishing last year in 3 hours, 4 minutes and 52 seconds.

The reigning men’s champion is Jacques Sallberg of Pasadena (2:24:56).

There will also be a free Active Lifestyle beach expo from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday across the street from the Hilton Resort.

The expo continues from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

For more information, visit www.runsurfcity.com.