FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OC Marathon on Track for Record 20,000 Participants
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - The OC Marathon is on track for a record 20,000
entrants on Sunday, May 5, 2013, up from 17,000 last year. One of the
premier destination races in Southern California, OC Marathon entries are
up an average of 15 percent across its four divisions: marathon, half
marathon, OC Wahoo's 5K and Kids Run the OC (KROC). Among the reasons for
the growth spurt are the enthusiastic charitable supporters and the ongoing
popularity of the "Beach Cities Challenge" and "Kids Run the OC."
The OC Marathon is considered as one of the best full and half marathon
courses in the state due to its diverse terrain, changing vistas and
majestic ocean views. It traverses Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine and
Santa Ana and boasts a blend of chic coastal scenery, tranquil nature and
sophisticated arts and shopping. Detailed information is available at
www.OCmarathon.com.
Helping fuel the surge in entries is the high interest among runners
embracing the 18 official Charity Partners, the newest of which is the
Jesse Rees Foundation, a pediatric cancer foundation inspired by 12 year
old Jessie Rees. Jessie was a beautiful, athletic, smart and compassionate
girl who fought two brain tumors for ten months and two days. Jessie
created "Joy Jars" to spread hope, joy and love to children fighting life
altering medical illnesses.
According to race director, Gary Kutscher, "Each Charity Partner is
carefully screened and is active in recruiting volunteers and participants
to support our event. In the last eight years, the OC Marathon events
collectively have helped generate more than $3 million for Orange County
charities." Kutscher added, "We are proud of our association with these
organizations and look forward to continuing partnerships that benefit the
citizens of the OC."
Also continuing its impressive growth is the OC Marathon's "Kids Run the
OC," which will host a record number of 70 schools and 4500 kids on
Saturday, May 4. The program is designed to help pre-adolescent kids
become more physically fit, promote an active and healthy lifestyle and
combat the onset of childhood obesity. Additionally, the California Beach
Cities Challenge, an alliance of the Surf City USA Marathon, Long Beach
International City Bank Marathon and OC Marathons, is fueling entries.
Since the series was launched in 2011, more than 7000 people have completed
the challenge by running the three events consecutively.
The OC Marathon, like its "Challenge" counterparts, features myriad
heart-warming human interest stories including hundreds of runners who have
fought and conquered disease, obesity and personal loss to those who
participate on behalf of several notable non-profits and causes including
autism, cystic fibrosis, cancer and many more. A partial sample includes:
Thomas Frost (Rancho Santa Margarita, age 60): Thomas is a 28 year Long
Beach Marathon Legacy Runner that will participate in the OC Marathon.
Thomas started running in the late 70's when Alberto Salazar and Bill
Rogers were his role models, but his daughter Lisa Anne motivates him to
during every run and race now. Lisa was a passenger on United Airlines
Flight 175 on Sept. 11, 2001. Thomas carries her memorial pin and her
spirit with me. "Lisa always gets me to the finish line if I'm having a
bad day or a good one."
Robert Kollar (Aliso Viejo, age 41): Robert is part of a team that is
raising funds for a young boy, Talon, who was diagnosed with a severe case
of type 1 diabetes. His goal is to purchase a service dog (the dog can
detect decline blood sugar levels and are trained to retrieve insulin shots
or call 911 on a special phone). Since these dogs are expensive, Robert
and his organization know they can help this little boy and his family.
Misty and Grace Cross (Huntington Beach, age 32 and 7): Misty has been
coaching for KROC for the last four years at Hope View Elementary School.
She stopped half way through the season last year when her daughter Grace,
born 3.5 months premature and diagnosed with cerebral palsy, was having
surgery on both of her legs. Grace is now in second grade and determined
to walk like everyone else. She started walking on the treadmill and it
took her approximately 10-12 minutes to walk 1/4 mile. Today she is able to
complete it in 5.5 minutes and walks the mile at school.
Jessica Buffington (Signal Hill, age 31): Jessica will run the OC half
marathon while seven months pregnant. She ran the OC marathon in 2011 when
she was three months pregnant and this past February, Jessica ran the Surf
City half marathon when she was 17 weeks pregnant.
"It's very exciting to see the OC Marathon continue to grow and evolve,"
said Gary Kutscher, event director. "The community participation for our
charities is truly amazing while the myriad human interest stories are
humbling and heart-warming."
The Ninth Annual OC Marathon is held on Sunday, May 5, 2013. More than
20,000 runners will participate in the marathon, half marathon, OC Wahoo's
5K and Kids Run the OC. Additionally, thousands of spectators line the
course and the start line in front of the Newport Beach Marriott and finish
line at OC Fair and Event Center, while an additional 30,000 attend the
two-day Allergan Health & Fitness Expo which showcases national brands and
state of the art footwear and training technology. More information is
available at www.ocmarathon.com.
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