SANTA CLARITA RUNNERS HAVE MILES TO GO.

Byline: Teresa Jimenez Daily News Staff Writer

With the annual Santa Clarita Marathon little more than four months away, organizer Mike Haviland wants runners to start their training runs now.

Haviland, the city's economic development chief, has begun promoting the Nov. 8 event, hoping to get early sign-ups and perhaps plant the idea in runners' minds to begin training. The city has even changed the event, replacing the 10-mile run with an easier 5K run/walk. The 1-kilometer Kiddie K will remain.

``We think it will really get the community involved,'' Haviland said. ``Just about anyone interested can come and do it. They can walk it if they want.''

Haviland's regular city job has little to do with running or recreation, but he has run the city's marathon since it was created in 1995.

Haviland said he remembers when race founder Jerry Cherrington began talking about starting a marathon in Santa Clarita.

``I had run another marathon before in Sacramento, and I did all this bragging,'' Haviland said. ``Then they started this marathon up and I thought, Oh, I'm in trouble now.''

But Haviland and other area residents have enjoyed the event, which has been named one of the top 100 in the country in the Ultimate Guide to Marathons. In addition, the race and Santa Clarita were featured recently in Running Times, one of the major running magazines.

Cherrington worked to bring the event to Santa Clarita along with city officials, and played an active role in the organization in the years that followed. He also served as a city planning commissioner before leaving for Des Moines, Iowa, for a new job.

``For 2-1/2 events, he was the man,'' Haviland said.

Last year, the event grew by 44 percent, with about 800 people running in the marathon. An additional 400 runners participated in the 10-mile event.

And this year, Haviland said he expects even more runners, especially with the shorter 5K Run/Walk.

``Eighty percent of the people last year said they would return again,'' Haviland said. ``This event has a really good spin out in the running world as a really well-organized event.''

Haviland said he will spend the next few months seeking sponsors and getting exposure in running publications.

And as the event continues to grow, Haviland and other city officials hope Santa Clarita's reputation will spread.

``Part of this is tourism. We want to get them to stay in our hotels and check out Santa Clarita,'' Haviland said. ``It's all part of creating the brand and image of Santa Clarita.''

The 1998 Santa Clarita Marathon will begin at 7 a.m. Nov. 8 at the historic Lang Station in Canyon Country. Registration is $40 before Oct. 31, or $50 from Nov. 1 to race day.

The 5K Run/Walk also will begin at 7 a.m., at Valencia Town Center. Registration is $15 by Oct. 31, or $20 from Nov. 1 to race day. The 1K Kiddie Run for those 12 and under will begin at 7:30 a.m. at Valencia Town Center. Registration is $10.

Registration forms can be picked up at the Parks, Recreation and Community Services office on the first floor of City Hall, 23920 Valencia Boulevard.

For more information, call the Marathon Hotline at [phone] or [phone].