Todd Kodet, a 61-year-old Salinas resident, describes his introduction to running five years ago like this: Having signed up for Sacramento’s Urban Cow event, he arrived at the course on race day intending to walk the 5K portion with his daughter while helping her push her baby stroller. Then he reached the starting line.

Leaders battle rain and wind as they approach the 10-mile mark on Fair Oaks Boulevard during the 2012 California International Marathon last December. The runners will battle very cold weather today.