International elite runners will tear through the streets of Carlsbad on Sunday for the annual Carlsbad 5000 race, known as the "world's fastest 5K" for its record-setting times.
In its 31st year, the race will draw 10,000, spokesman Dan Cruz said.
Among them are two-time Olympic gold-medalist Meseret Defar of Ethiopia. She has won the race three times. If she wins again on Sunday, it will be a record.
In 2006, she set the record on the course for the fastest road 5K, or 3.1 miles, with a time of of 14:46. That's a pace of 4 minutes and 45 seconds a mile.
Challenging Defar are Caroline Kipkirui and Violah Lagat of Kenya. Alisha Williams of Golden, Colorado, and Jen Rhines of Boston will also be competitors, with times of 14:58 and 15:21, respectively. Rhines will be attempting to set a U.S. Masters record (for runners 40 years of age and older) on Sunday.
On the men's side, Lawi Lalang of Kenya will return to defend his title. American Bernard Lagat, 41, will also race after setting the U.S. Masters 5K road record last year. His time of 13:40 has a pace of 4 minutes and 24 seconds a mile.
Many roads in Carlsbad's commercial center will be closed Saturday and Sunday for the race. The full list can be found here.
For the second year, the course has been significantly altered for the professional runners, Cruz said. The start line will move from Carlsbad Village Drive to Carlsbad Boulevard, where the professionals will run two loops on Carlsbad Boulevard counterclockwise.
