Rockin' and Rollin' in San Diego

People change. Everybody does. I mean, nobody old enough to read this sentence is still being burped by their parents, are they? Some people change for the better, and some for worse. In my case, I'm just getting dumber.

On June 1, I'm doing something I never thought I would--run a marathon. For someone who has played soccer since he was 5, running long distances never appealed to me. At Marquette University, our entire team had to run two miles in 12 minutes or we couldn't play. I never did and still played. You see, I worked harder trying to find a shortcut (our coaches held our fitness test in the forest), than I did moving my feet. I'd rather walk three minutes through mosquitoe-infested jungle to shorten the course than run without purpose on a trail for two miles. Of course, I had no problem chasing after a little round ball for 90 minutes, which, since I was a midfielder, means I ran roughly 10 miles every game. (And I thought I couldn't get any dumber.)

But with no coaches to cheat anymore, I've stayed in shape running more than two miles almost daily since college. I figured that has prepared me for a 26.2 mile marathon. But the 6th annual Suzuki Rock 'N' Roll Marathon, held in San Diego, isn't just any marathon. If you ever want to prove how out of shape you are, this is the place to do it because you won't have a better time finding out.

"So many people are getting involved in running now that marathons aren't just for elite athletes anymore," said Audra Hoffmeyer, the event's media relations director. "We have people signing up just because they've heard how fun it was. That's what we want them to think."

The entire city of San Diego, the eighth largest in the United States, is essentially paralyzed for at least half a day. Bands, anything from Country, Reggae, Rock, Blues, and even Christian Rock, are set up each mile on the course, which starts in lush Balboa Park, skirts the world famous San Diego Zoo, and eventually winds its way back toward the Pacific Ocean. California Highway 163, one of the busiest in the city, is closed for a short section for marathoners. Increasing in popularity each year, the Rock 'N' Roll Marathon limits the number of participants to 20,000 entrants, making it one of the world's largest marathons. Celebrities have ran in the past. This year, Tennessee Titans' head coach Jeff Fisher is scheduled to run. Entry fees, which start at $80.00 and increase to $90.00 after May 23, include a free concert ticket to Chris Isaak's concert on Sunday night. In the past, Sugar Ray and Smashmouth were the headline bands. Close to 100,000 spectators watch from the sidelines, making it one of the most watched marathons in the world.

Maybe running a marathon isn't for everyone, but walking this one should be. After all, it's not a bad deal to pay less than $100.000 and get to hear almost 30 bands, as well guzzle free Gatorade all day. And after thinking about what my finishing time will be, I'll end up drinking so much Gatorade I'll be peeing red for a month.

But hedonistic intentions aren't my only motivation, I'll also be a part of a good cause. The marathon has raised over $60 million (net) in five years for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through its 'Team in Training' program. See, marathons can't be that bad. And besides my drive for personal glory, there will also be something else to keep me going.

Over two thousand cheerleaders San Diego area high schools are on the course competing for 2003 Spirit Award, which awards the winning school's cheer team with a $1,000. Thousands of 18-year-old girls (OK, maybe 17) jumping up and down and cheering for me? Maybe I'm not that dumb after all.

For more information, including how to register, for the Suzuki Rock 'N' Roll Marathon, visit rocknrollmarathon.com.

RANKINGS ARE A JOKE

As much as I like looking at the Las Vegas Sun's Top 10 polls in baseball and softball, they're meaningless. The Sun and the Sparks Tribune collaborate in coming up with the rankings, which rules out a potential north-south bias. But it basically started when friends Zack Hall, then the sports editor in Sparks, and Spencer Patterson, then the prep writer at the Sun, did the rankings. Zack is now in Flagstaff and Spencer is no longer in sports. And considering Reno isn't ranked No. 1 in the papers' May 8 poll, it's safe to assume whoever votes now hasn't watched the Huskies play. Therefore, the baseball poll remains suspect. Regardless, Reno is (gulp) ranked second, despite winning 31 games in a row and being ranked No. 21 in the latest USA Today poll. Silverado is No. 1. The two other Northern 4A teams ranked are Carson at No. 7 and Galena at No. 8. As for the Reno Gazette-Journal poll, it shouldn't even exist. Its writers don't even watch a game until the Northern 4A playoffs, which hardly establishes enough credibility to have a regular season poll.

A LOOK DOWN SOUTH

While the Northern 4A's three seeds into the state tournament are earned today, everything in Las Vegas looks to unfolding according to form. Silverado, Green Valley and Centennial are both undefeated in their region tournaments (thru Thursday's games). Somehow, though, there is always one surprise down there.

Jeremy Evans is a Nevada Appeal sports writer.