(KRON) -- Thousands of runners will race through downtown Oakland and along the Bay Bridge Sunday for the 17th annual Oakland Marathon. The marathon route is a one-loop route passing through iconic Oakland landmarks. Runners will have epic views as they enter the bridge and complete an out-and-back to Yerba Buena Island. "Thousands of runners will take to Oakland streets, with the marathon course offering the rare opportunity to run across the Bay Bridge, making it the only marathon to feature this experience during the year," event organizers wrote. Additional races will take place March 20–22 at the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts. (File photo by Aric Crabb /Bay Area News Group) There are five distances for races: Marathon (26.2 miles) Half Marathon (13.1 miles) 10K (6.2 miles) 5K (3.1 miles) Eat. Learn. Play. Kids Fun Run (Quarter-mile, half-mile, or 1-mile course) With more than 11,000 runners signed up, this year's events set a new participation record, according to event organizers. The Oakland Marathon benefits Stephen and Ayesha Curry’s Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation to support local youth. Unprecedented March heat wave baking Bay Area this week Sunday, March 22 Race Day Schedule: 7 a.m. - Marathon start (26.2 miles) 7 a.m. - Half Marathon start (13.1 miles) 8:30 a.m. - 10K start 9 a.m. - 5K start 8 a.m. through 2 p.m. - Finish line festival ...read more read less