A big majority of the participants for the 5K and Bike Tour will sign up in the week heading up to Saturday's event, so race director Steve Kerr doesn't have a definite number, but he says the numbers are on track to set a record.

"We're going to be over 12,000 participants overall," Kerr said. "Last year, we were just shy of 10,000."

Kerr said numbers are going up because the event is becoming more established in the community and the state of Utah. Like it has been for the past two years, the event will continue to be held on the third Saturday of April.

Although it is important to have elite runners, Kerr says the goal is to make the event more community-based and community-oriented.

"We will draw a group of out-of-staters, but it's a real community event," Kerr said. "A few years back, we changed our focus. Does it make more sense to have an elite athlete program and a large prize purse or get that money and put it back into the community?"

This year's prize purse is still significant, at $23,000, but efforts have been made to make the event more runner- and spectator-friendly.

More entertainment locations have been added along the course of the marathon. Everything from Brazilian drummers to musicians playing bluegrass, folk, country and rock will be on hand to motivate the runners and entertain the spectators. There will be one entertainment location at the Olympic Legacy Bridge, where the starting line is located, and seven other locations along the course.

"We don't know for sure, but we estimate that we have about 25,000 spectators that gather on the course," Kerr said. "Everybody has embraced this event."

mthach@sltrib.com

Bike tour: 6 a.m.

Handcycle, wheelchair: 6:55 a.m.

Marathon, half-marathon: 7 a.m.

5K: 7:30 a.m.

Kids' marathon: 10 a.m.

Marathon awards ceremony: Noon

On your mark . . .

Key start times for Saturday's Salt Lake City Marathon and related events: