>>> THANK YOU, FOR JOINING US FOR THE LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS NEWS.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.. WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE ROCK 'N ROLL MARATHON AFTER IT WAS CANCELED TWICE DUE TO COVID-19.

>>> A ZERO ADMISSION RIDE TO SCHOOL IN THE SOUTH BAY.

WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE ELECTRIC BUSES IN CHULA VISTA.

>>> AND WE ARE GETTING SERIOUS ON GHOST GUNS., THE EFFORTS TO STOP AT GHOST GUNS.

>>> WE START WITH A MOMENT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING IN SANTEE.

KPBS REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN HAS MORE.

A >> AN AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO A UPS >> Reporter: .

>> MY FIRST REACTION WAS, THIS CANNOT BE REAL.

>> IS ANYBODY IN THE HOUSE?

IT >> Reporter: THE PARENTS OF JAMES WERE SITTING IN THE HOUSE WHEN A FIREBALL CAME RIPPING THROUGH THEIR HOME.

NEIGHBORS THAT HEARD THE CRASH RESCUED THEM FROM THEIR HOUSE.

>> THE PEOPLE WHO RISKED THEIR LIVES TO SAVE US, I HAVE NO WORDS.

YOU JUST, YOU JUST CANNOT SAY THANK YOU ENOUGH.

THANK YOU, IS NOT ENOUGH.

THESE PEOPLE RISKED EVERYTHING.

IT >> Reporter: THE COUPLE WAS TAKEN TO UC SAN DIEGO MEDICAL CENTER.

A COUPLE SAYS THEY ARE CONSCIOUS AND TALKING AFTER SUFFERING THIRD-DEGREE BURNS.

>> IT IS THE EMOTIONAL SIDE.

YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW SOMEBODY IS GOING TO REACT TO THIS ONCE THE SHOCK WEARS OFF AND THEY SEE THEIR HOUSE LIKE THIS.

IT >> Reporter: TWO PEOPLE WERE KILLED INCLUDING AN PILOT AND A UPS DRIVER.

THE FDA IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED AND THE PILOT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED BUT HE KEPT CLIMBING AND THEN DESCENDING HIS AIRCRAFT.

>> CLIMB THAT AIRPLANE IMMEDIATELY.

CLIMB THAT AIRPLANE PLEASE.

IT >> Reporter: THEN THERE WAS THE IMPACT THAT WAS DESCRIBED AS A LOUD BOOM.

>> I WAS ABLE TO SEE MY HOUSE FROM THE BACKSIDE AND THAT IS WHEN WE KNEW, RIGHT AWAY, THAT IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS.

OBVIOUSLY, IT WAS PRETTY TRAUMATIC.

IT >> Reporter: COURTNEY AND CODY CAMPBELL LIVED IN THE HOUSE THAT WAS DESTROYED.

THEY WERE OUT OF THE HOUSE AND AT WORK WHEN THIS HAPPENED.

JUST BY CHANCE, CONEYS MOM PICKED UP THEIR DOG THAT MORNING.

THEY WERE JUST MARRIED IN MAY AND MOVED HERE A FEW DAYS LATER.

THEY SOMETIMES WORK FROM HOME AND THEY KNOW THIS COULD HAVE HAD A DIFFERENT ENDING.

>> WITH ANY LUCK WE WILL BE ABLE TO PUT THINGS TOGETHER.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE COULD BE DOING MUCH DIFFERENT INTERVIEWS RIGHT NOW.

>> THOSE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT AND TO GET THEM BACK IS IMPORTANT BUT, IN THE END, THIS IS ALL THAT MATTERS.

>> Reporter: THOSE IMPACTED BY THE TRAGEDY ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT AS THEY WORK THROUGH THE PROCESS OF REBUILDING THEIR LIVES.

>> WE HEAR YOU BALL AND WE ARE SUPER THANKFUL.

>> Reporter: I AM MATT HOFFMAN FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> ON FRIDAY AN FDA PANEL VOTED TO RECOMMEND BOOSTER SHOTS FOR THE SINGLE-DOSE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE.

AND VACCINES JUST REACHED ANOTHER MILESTONE.

80% OF THOSE ELIGIBLE HAVE RECEIVED BOTH THE DOSES.

AT DAILY INFECTIONS ARE TRENDING DOWNWARD TO A FEW HUNDRED PER DAY.

THAT IS LESS THAN HALF FROM THE RECENT DELTA SURGE PEAK AT THE END OF AUGUST.

>>> THE PROGRESS IS A BIG REASON WHY SOME OF THE COVID ERA TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS ARE COMING TO AN END.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION SAYS THAT WILL START ON NOVEMBER 8.

WE EXPLAIN WHY THIS IS A LONG TIME COMING FOR THOSE WHOSE JOBS AND LIFESTYLES RESOLVE ON THAT RELY ON THAT.

IS GO TO ALEXANDRA RANGEL.

>>> AFTER A YEAR OF FAMILIES BEING SEPARATED BECAUSE OF BORDER RESTRICTIONS, THE DOORS ARE OPENING .

BUT ONLY TO THOSE THAT ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

FULLY VACCINATED RESIDENTS WILL BE WELCOMED INTO THE U.S.

STARTING IN NOVEMBER.

RESTRICTIONS FOR NONESSENTIAL TRAVEL HAD BEEN PLACED IN 2020.

>> THIS IS ELATION.

IT HAS BEEN 19 MONTHS.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THAT BUSINESSES WILL NOT RECUPERATE WHAT THEY HAVE LOST BUT THEY CAN GET THEIR LIVES BACK ON TRACK.

>> TO GET OUR LIVES BACK TO WHERE THEY WERE, IT IS IMPORTANT.

FROM CROSSING THE STREET TO GET A TACO ON YOUR LUNCH BREAK OR COMING HERE TO DO YOUR BAKING, WE NEED TO GET BACK TO THAT.

>> Reporter: WE SPOKE WITH CROSS-BORDER CITIZENS WHO WERE EXCITED ABOUT THE NEWS.

GLORIA SO SHE IS HOPING THAT MORE TOURISM FROM PEOPLE MEANS MORE HOURS AT WORK.

SHE WORKS AT A RESTAURANT IN SANDY YSIDRO AND BUSINESSES NOT LIKE IT WAS BEFORE.

SHE SAYS PEDESTRIAN CROSSING TIMES ARE 2-3 HOURS.

SHE FEARS SHE WILL BE STUCK WAITING IN LINE EVEN MORE NOW.

WAIT TIMES ARE A CONCERN BUT THEY ARE HOPING THAT U.S. SENATE ORDER AND CUSTOM PROTECTION WILL INCREASE PERSONNEL.

>> NOW WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT DATE WILL BE AND HOW THE VERIFICATION OF VACCINATIONS IS GOING TO WORK.

>> Reporter: WEDNESDAY MORNING MAYOR TODD GLORIA THINK THOSE INVOLVED WITH THE EFFORT.

>> I WANT TO SAY YOU COULD TO THE SECRETARY WHO HAS BEEN IN REGULAR COMMUNICATION WITH MY ADMINISTRATION SINCE DECEMBER WITH THIS.

>> I AM ALEXANDRA RANGEL WITH KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE ARE DIVING INTO CROSS- BORDER LIVING CULTURE.

WE HAVE A PODCAST THAT JUST LAUNCHED.

AND YOU CAN FIND THAT AT TO THE WWW.KPBS.ORG AND ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS.

>>> THE EASING OF THE PANDEMIC A SPIKE IN GUN VIOLENCE.

THE CITY AND COUNTY ARE TAKING STEPS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF UNTRACEABLE GUNS, ALSO KNOWN AS GHOST GUNS.

MELISSA MAE HAS MORE.

A >> Reporter: THERE HAS BEEN A 169% INCREASE OF GHOST GUNS IN SAN DIEGO THIS YEAR.

MAYOR TODD GLORIA SIGNED AN ORDINANCE BANNING GHOST GUNS.

AND A COUNCIL MEMBER AUTHORED THE LEGISLATION.

IS >> WE TOOK ACTION TO BECOME THE FIRST IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO BAN THE SALE OF NON-TRACEABLE GHOST GUNS AND THE PARTS TO MAKE THEM.

IT >> Reporter: SHE TOOK A STAND AFTER A GASLAMP SHOOTING INVOLVING A GHOST GUN IN APRIL.

>> TO GET GHOST GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF PEOPLE THAT CANNOT KNOWN A FIREARM.

SOMEBODY THREATENS ANYONE.

>> Reporter: NO OTHER MEMBERS AGAINST GUNS ARE JOINING THIS.

IS BACK WE ARE HARD WORK AND BY THE CONSTANT DRUMBEAT OF SHOOTINGS.

GHOST GUNS HAVE MADE THIS DRUMBEAT LOUDER.

INSTEAD OF BECOMING NUMB WE ARE TAKING ACTION.

>> Reporter: SUPERVISOR LAWSON ALONG WITH OTHER SUPERVISORS WILL VOTE TO PROHIBIT GHOST GUNS BEING DISTRIBUTED OR CREATED IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

THEY WANT TO STRENGTHEN STORAGE STANDARDS.

VON WOLPERT SAYS THEY ARE GOING BEYOND THE LAW THAT GOES INTO EFFECT NOVEMBER 1.

>> PEOPLE THAT WANT TO ON THESE HAVE TO FOLLOW THE LAW AND THEY HAVE TO SELL GHOST PARTS THAT DO NOT INCREASE THE PROLIFERATION OF GHOST GUNS.

>> Reporter: SANTANA AS PART OF A GROUP CALLED # ENOUGH.

THEY WERE SHOCKED BY THE INCREASE IN GHOST GUNS.

>> TO REPRESENT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR GUN VIOLENCE TO HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: SANTANA HAS LOST FAMILY MEMBERS TO GUN VIOLENCE.

>> A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE WAIT FOR A HUGE AND VIOLENT ACT TO OCCUR BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN MOVE A STEP FORWARD BEFORE THIS OCCURS.

>> Reporter: IF THE POLICY PASSES, STAFF WILL BRING BACK OPTIONS FOR COMMUNITY-BASED DISRUPTION OPPORTUNITIES.

I AM AT MELISSA MAE WITH KPBS NEWS.

AS >>> OPENING A BUSINESS JUST BEFORE THE PANDEMIC WOULD HAVE BEEN BAD TIMING BUT NOT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE A PRODUCT LIKE MARIJUANA.

WE TAKE A LOOK AT HOW THE CITY OF VISTA IS HELPING THE GRADE IT COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: FLORA VERDE IS THE FIRST TO HEAR., THEY WERE GETTING ESTABLISHED JUST BEFORE THE PANDEMIC HIT.

AND SHE THOUGHT THIS WOULD PUT HER OUT OF BUSINESS BUT SHE WAS WRONG.

>> PEOPLE NEED RELEASE AND THERAPEUTIC MEDICINE.

THERE WAS A LOT OF STRESS AND DEPRESSION THE PEOPLE ARE BATTLING SO THEY CAME TO US FOR A HOLISTIC OPPORTUNITY AND SALES SPIKE.

>> Reporter: HIS BUSINESS IS NOT THE ONLY ONE THRIVING.

THE CITY OF VISTA REPORTED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN REVENUE FROM THE CANNABIS TAX.

$4 MILLION IN CANNABIS TAX IS TO GO TO THE GENERAL FUND.

SO THE $1 MILLION LEFT OVER WILL BE USED TO FUND SPECIAL PROJECTS.

THE CITY WILL BE USING THOSE ON YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS, A NEW SHERIFF'S DEPUTY, AND UNDERCOVER OPPORTUNITIES TO STOP PEOPLE FROM SELLING MARIJUANA TO MINORS.

>> WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT BUSINESSES ARE OBEYING THE LAWS AROUND YOUTH ACCESS.

BEST PRACTICES TO DO DECOY OPERATIONS TO SEE IF THE BUSINESSES WILL SELL TO MINORS WHEN THEY SHOULD NOT BE SELLING TO MINORS.

>> Reporter: A DISPENSARY OWNER SAYS HE WELCOMES THESE UNDERCOVER OPERATIONS.

>> THIS IS A CONCERN THAT WE SHARE.

I HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND MY BUSINESS PARTNER HAS THREE CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: MARIJUANA IS SALES EXPANDED THIS YEAR.

BUT THEY ARE HOPEFUL THAT SALES WILL INCREASE AND MORE REVENUE CAN GO TOWARDS CITY PROJECT.

>> THE TAX REVENUE HELPS TO ADD TO SHERIFFS ON THE STREETS AND AMBULANCES ON THE STREETS.

THAT INCREASES SAFETY.

>> I'M TANIA THORNE WITH KPBS NEWS.

>>> HERE ARE SOME OF THE STORIES THAT GOT PEOPLES ATTENTION OUT WWW.KPBS.ORG.

KAISER NURSES ARE WORKING TO AUTHORIZE A STRIKE.

AND, GET READY FOR MORE FREEWAY CONSTRUCTION IN NORTH COUNTY AS WORK BEGINS ON THE FINAL PHASE OF A CAR POOL LANE EXTENSION.

>>> IN THE SOUTH SCHOOL DISTRICT, THERE IS A NEW WAY TO GET STUDENTS FROM .82 POINT BE.

WAS TAKE A LOOK AT ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUSES.

>> Reporter: WENDY LOPEZ HAS A CHECKLIST THAT INCLUDES A REVIEW OF HER SCHOOL BUS BUT IT DOES NOT INCLUDE A SOUNDTRACK.

BEFORE SUNRISE, THERE IS THE LOUD RUMBLE OF DIESEL ENGINES SPEWING NOISE COSTUMES AND SMELL.

THAT IS FOR MANY OF THE BUSES HERE AT THE CHULA VISTA SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> IT IS MAGICAL.

>> Reporter: BUT 10 OF THESE BUSES ARE NOT LIKE THE OTHERS.

LOPEZ IT DRIVES AN ELECTRIC POWERED SCHOOL BUS OWNED BY THE DISTRICT.

WERE PAID FOR WITH GRANT MONEY FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION.

THE MONEY WAS GIVEN TO THEM IN 2019 BUT THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THE SHUTDOWN KEPT THE ELECTRIC BUSES OFF THE ROAD UNTIL NOW.

THEY ARE CLEAN AND TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED.

>> I FEEL IT IS SAFE BECAUSE, IF SOMETHING HAPPENS, ONE OF THE DOORS OPENS AND THE BUS WILL STOP.

SO, I FEEL IT IS SAFE.

>> Reporter: THE CHULA VISTA DISTRICT IS COMMITTED TO SAFETY FIRST WHEN TRANSPORTING STUDENTS.

>> WE HAVE A NUMBER OF GREEN PRACTICES IN PLACE AND THIS ALLOWS US TO REDUCE OUR CARBON FOOT PRINT AND MAKES THE AIR AROUND OUR BUSES CLEANER.

>> Reporter: ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUSES ARE GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THEY ARE GOOD FOR STUDENT HEALTH.

TRADITIONAL DIESEL FUEL BUSES CAN CREATE AIR POLLUTION THAT SCIENCE HAS DETERMINED CAN TRIGGER ASTHMA IN HEALTHY CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: HER SON GOES ON AND MIKE ELECTRIC BUS EVERY MORNING.

>> I THINK IT IS BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND FOR THE KIDS.

>> IT IS FUN.

>> Reporter: A SIX-YEAR-OLD AND HIS MOTHER ARE ALSO BIG FANS OF THE NEW BUSES.

>> THIS IS HIS FIRST YEAR AT SCHOOL AND HE IS SO EXCITED TO GET ON THE BUS.

>> Reporter: BRITTANY LOPEZ SAYS WRITERS LOVE THE HIGH POWERED AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND HAPPIER CHILDREN MAKE HER JOB MORE ENJOYABLE.

>> THEY JUST WANT SOMEBODY TO LISTEN TO THEM.

AND I ALWAYS CHEER THEM UP.

>> Reporter: ELECTRIC BUSES ARE SO SUCCESSFUL ON THE ROAD THAT THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT HAS GIVEN CHULA VISTA SCHOOL OFFICIALS MONEY TO PURCHASE TWO MORE TO BE DELIVERED IN TIME FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

REPORTING FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> THERE ARE A LOT OF PIECES TO SOLVING THE CLIMATE POZO INCLUDING BUILDING MORE HOUSING NEAR TRANSIT.

KPBS AT REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN HAS MORE ON ONE PROJECT .

IT >> Reporter: THIS PROJECT HAS AN ABUNDANCE OF PARKING.

THAT WAS THE CASE BEFORE TROLLEY RIDERSHIP PLUMMETED BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

NOW A TEAM OF DEVELOPERS HAS THE ALL CLEAR FROM THE METROPOLITAN TRANSIT SYSTEM TO BUILD 390 APARTMENTS HERE.

IT WILL BE AFFORDABLE TO LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.

LAST MONTH THEY PUT OFF A VOTE ON THE PROJECT OVER CONCERNS ABOUT THE LOSS OF PARKING.

BUT ADVOCATES TOLD THE BOARD THAT CONCERN WAS MISGUIDED.

>> THE BEST WAY OF INCREASING TRANSIT RIDERSHIP AND MEETING CLIMATE GOALS IS WITH DEVELOPMENT.

IT IS NOT WITH PARKING.

THE MORE PARKING REQUIRED, THE LESS HOUSING WE CAN BUILD.

AND WE ARE NOT ABLE TO SERVE CREDIT PARKING.

IT >> Reporter: AND NOW THEY ARE WORKING TO CREATE PARK-AND-RIDE TROLLEY PASSENGERS WELL REDUCING THE DEMAND FOR PARKING.

THAT COULD INCLUDE BETTER ACCESS TO BUS STATIONS AND TRANSIT STATIONS.

>> WE CANNOT JUST ELIMINATE PARKING.

WE HAVE TO DEVELOP A BETTER TRANSITION STATION TO ACCESS A STATION AND ACTIVELY SELL THEM TO CUSTOMERS.

>> Reporter: MTS OWNS MORE THAN 50 ACRES ACROSS THE COUNTY.

THAT IS LAND THAT COULD BE KEY TO SOLVING THE HOUSING SHORTAGE BUT THE DEBATE OVER WHERE AND HOW TO DEVELOP THAT LAND AT HOW MUCH PARKING A PUBLIC TRANSIT AREA IT NEEDS IS A CONCERN.

UP >>> OCTOBER IS FILIPINO AMERICAN MONTH SO THIS IS THE PERFECT TIME TO LAUNCH THE AMERICAN FILIPINO FILM FESTIVAL.

BETH ACCOMANDO SHOWS US HOW THIS CONTRIBUTES TO A RICH MOVIE SCENE.

>> Reporter: WHEN THEY FIRST STARTED DEVELOPING FILMS, THEY FELT LIKE THEY HAD NO PLATFORM AND WHEN THEY CAME TO SAN DIEGO THEY DECIDED THEY WANTED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE FILIPINO CALIFORNIA MOVIEMAKING PLATFORMS.

>> OUR MISSION IS TO DISCOVER AND EXHIBIT COMPELLING FILMS FROM THE GLOBAL FILIPINO FILMMAKERS TO THE DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION HOST THE FIRST FILIPINO FILM FESTIVAL THAT WILL SHOWCASE MORE THAN 40 FILMS IN PERSON AND NOT THE 30 ONLINE.

>> WHAT WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT IS THAT WE HAVE GIVEN SAN DIEGO A PLATFORM TO SEE AND BE CURIOUS AND FIND OUT WHAT WE HAVE GLOBALLY.

THERE ARE A LOT OF FILIPINOS GLOBALLY AND THE EXPERIENCE OF A FILIPINO IN AFRICA OR CALIFORNIA OR SOMEWHERE ELSE MIGHT BE DIFFERENT.

>> Reporter: IT IS NOT JUST AN OPPORTUNITY BUT A WAY TO SUPPORT THEM, SAYS FRANCISCO.

>> THAT IS REALLY WHAT WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT.

IT TO INSPIRE YOUNG FILMMAKERS TO SHARE THEIR STORIES AND HOPEFULLY GIVE THEM THE TOOLS THAT THEY NEED IN ORDER TO BE A SUSTAINABLE FILMMAKER.

>> Reporter: BUT PUTTING ON A FESTIVAL FOR THE FIRST TIME COULD BE A CHALLENGE.

>> WE ARE INSPIRED BUT WE ARE NERVOUS BECAUSE THIS IS A TEST.

WE WANTED TO SEE IF WE CAN ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY IN PARTICIPATING IN FAMILIAR STORIES.

IN STORIES THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OR STORIES FROM THE YOUNGER GENERATION.

WE DO NOT KNOW HOW THEY WILL ENGAGE OR IF THEY WILL.

OR, MAYBE THEY WILL NOT GO.

>> WE HAVE BEEN ABOUT THIS FOR A LONG TIME.

SINCE WE WERE IN THE PHILIPPINES FILMING OUR FILMS AND WATCHING THE AUDIENCE AND HOW FILMS MADE SUCH AN IMPACT.

>> WHEN YOU REALIZE THE IMPACT, THE TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT OF CINEMA AND HOW WE CAN ACTUALLY CHANGE OUR MOTIVATION FOR FROM EXISTENCE BECAUSE OF THE THINGS THAT WE SEE AND HEAR, WE LEARN ABOUT THE PROCESS, AND THE PROCESS.

AND WE SHARED THE SAME EMOTIONS AND THE SAME STRUGGLES.

IN THE SAME HURT.

AND PAIN AND LOVE.

IT IS SIMPLE BUT IT IS POWERFUL AT THE SAME TIME.

>> Reporter: OPENING NINE AND THE AWARDS GALA WILL BE AT --.

CRISTINA IS THE LIAISON FOR THE MUSEUM.

>> I AM EXCITED TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY SHOULD TO SHOW OTHER ARTS AND CULTURE ORGANIZATIONS THAT THIS SPACE IS ABOUT THEM.

IT IS ABOUT SHARING THE SPACE WITH EVERYONE.

>> AND BATISTA IS EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

>> IT REPRESENTS ASIAN AMERICAN WOMEN, MUSIC, AGING, DISCRIMINATION.

>> Reporter: BATISTA IS NOT ONLY THRILLED TO BE SHOWING THESE FILMS BUT ALSO, THERE IS A MAGIC TO WATCHING FILMS TOGETHER.

>> WE MY BE FOUR PEOPLE IN THIS THEATER BUT WE SHARE THE FLUCTUATIONS AND THE EMOTIONAL UPS AND DOWNS OF THE FILM.

I AM EXCITED TO EXPERIENCE THAT WITH THE AUDIENCE.

AT >> Reporter: SAN DIEGO FILIPINO FILM FESTIVAL WILL BE ATTRACTING MORE.

IT OFFERS A WONDERFUL COMPLEMENT TO OUR SAN DIEGO ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL BY ALLOWING A GREATER REPRESENTATION OF A FILIPINO PERSPECTIVE.

I AM AT BETH ACCOMANDO WITH KPBS NEWS.

>>> MANY CITIES HAVE THEIR OWN ROCK 'N ROLL EVENTS.

AFTER A HIATUS, THE RACE RETURNS THIS MONTH.

AND, CLAIRE TRAGESER HAS MORE ON THE RACE.

>> IN 1998 I RAN MY FIRST MARATHON.

THAT LED TO A SECOND ROCK 'N ROLL MARATHON.

>> Reporter: AARON LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT OF A LEGACY RUNNER.

MEANING, HE HAS NEVER MISSED A SINGLE RACE.

>> I DECIDED THAT I WAS ENMESHED IN IT.

AND THAT I DID THREE AND THAT I DID FOR AND AT FIVE IT THEY GIVE YOU A PATCH FOR BEING A LEGACY RUNNER.

>> Reporter: MANY KEPT RACING FOR THE NEXT 23 YEARS.

BUT THEN, COVID-19 CAME AND THE EVENT THAT IS USUALLY HAPPENING WAS CANCELED.

>> I WAS NOT BANGING OUT THESE SATURDAY MORNING ROUNDS BUT IT FELT A LITTLE WEIRD.

BECAUSE, I WAS NOT ENGAGED LIKE I NORMALLY WOULD BE.

AT >> Reporter: THE JUNE 2021 RACE DID NOT HOPE IN AND IT WAS POSTPONED.

AND WHEN RUNNERS LINED UP IN A BALBOA PARK, A ARE AND WILL BE THERE EVEN THOUGH HE DOES NOT USUALLY RUN A FALL MARATHON.

>> I CANNOT IMAGINE NOT BEING THERE.

I CANNOT IMAGINE WAKING UP ON THE MORNING OF OCTOBER 25 AND REALIZING THAT I DID NOT TOE THE LINE.

>> Reporter: THE RUNNERS COME IN THIS WAY.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR IS THE RACE DIRECTOR.

SHE IS PREPARING FOR AN UNUSUAL RACE AFTER ALMOST TWO YEARS OF UNCERTAINTY.

>> IT FEELS SURREAL TO BE TALKING ABOUT IT BECAUSE, WE DID NOT KNOW IF WE WOULD BE RAISING.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE AND RACERS WILL BE MORE SPREAD OUT.

SHE EXPECTS 20,000 PEOPLE THIS YEAR, INCLUDING PEOPLE THAT WERE SIGNED UP IN 2020 AS WELL AS PEOPLE THAT PICKED UP RUNNING WHEN GYMNASIUMS WERE CLOSED.

>> I AM EXCITED TO PICK UP THESE NEW PEOPLE.

IS THE OVERALL LEVEL OF EXCITEMENT IS HIGHER THAN USUAL.

>> Reporter: WENDY HAS ALREADY READ A FEW RACES THIS SUMMER.

SHE NORMALLY RUNS SEVERAL A CHAIR AND SAYS DURING COVID-19 SHE FELT THE LOSS OF THE STARTING LINE.

>> FOR SOME REASON, THEY CLOSED OFF BALBOA PARK FOR RUNNERS AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS KIND OF WEIRD BUT, BECAUSE I COULD NOT RUN -- I DIDN'T.

IT >> Reporter: THERE ARE LOTS OF ENTERTAINING SITES FROM SAN DIEGO ALONG THE WAY FROM BALBOA PARK TO DRUG QUEEN CHEERLEADERS AND THE MILITARY MILE.

AS FOR AARON, HE IS DETERMINED TO TOE THE LINE, EVEN IF HE FEELS A LITTLE BIT NERVOUS ABOUT BEING IN A BIG CROWD.

>> SO MANY ATHLETES KNOW NOT TO GET THOSE THINGS STUCK IN THEIR HEAD BECAUSE IT HAS A TENDENCY TO OVERWHELM THEM.

IT IS A MOST A PSYCHOLOGICAL ADAPTATION THAT TAKES PLACE WHEN YOU'RE TRAINING FOR A RACE LIKE THIS.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE WILL WEAR A MASK AT THE STARTING LINE AND THEN TAKE IT OFF AS RUNNERS SPREAD OUT ACROSS THE COURSE.

I AM AT CLAIRE TRAGESER FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> YOU CAN FIND THAT STORY AND STREAM ALL OF THE KPBS CONTENT ON OUR WEBPAGE.

JUST SEARCH KPBS NEWS ON GOOGLE.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI..

THANK YOU, FOR JOINING US.

♪ ♪