NEW YORK (CBS 2) – Thousands packed the carbohydrates in the annual Pasta-Fest in Central Park on Saturday in preparation for the New York City Marathon.

It’s become a right of passage for the participants in the marathon and was open from lunch through dinner thanks to extended hours.

Before the carb-loading lunch, many runners participated in another pre-marathon event: the Continental Airlines International Friendship Run.

More then 15,000 athletes from more than 100 countries dressed in their nation’s colors jogged in a 4K run that ended in Central Park where the marathon ends.