FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OC Marathon Gears Up for 10th Anniversary Celebration
May 4, 2014 Event Expects All-Time Highs for Entries, Economic Impact,
Fundraising & Kids Race
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - The OC Marathon heads into its 10th anniversary
year poised to break several event records from entries in the full and
half marathons and the obesity-fighting Kids Run the OC to economic impact
and charitable fundraising. Set for Sunday, May 4, 2014, the OC Marathon is
considered one of the best full and half marathon courses in the state with
its diverse terrain, changing vistas and majestic ocean views. The race
traverses Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine and Santa Ana and boasts a
blend of chic coastal scenery, tranquil nature and sophisticated arts and
shopping. The OC Finish Line Festival gets supercharged in 2014 with a
headlining band, tacos, beer and tons of giveaways. Detailed information is
available on the brand new website at www.ocmarathon.com.
"The OC Marathon is more than a race; it is a community event, a positive
social institution for people of all ages," said OC Marathon Race Director
Gary Kutscher. "Our 10th edition should be something special as we
anticipate our biggest and best event ever."
On track for a record 22,000-plus entrants across its four races –
marathon, half marathon, Wahoo's OC 5K and Kids Run the OC (KROC) – the OC
Marathon has steadily evolved into a significant revenue machine for the
region, generating nearly $21 million in economic impact for Orange County
according to an independent analysis conducted by Forward Analytics, Inc.,
including $5.62 million in direct financial benefit. In addition, the event
generates an estimated $735,103 annually in tax revenues for local and
state governments.
Helping fuel the surge in entries is the high interest among runners
embracing the 16 Official Charity Partners, the newest of which is Susan G.
Komen, the world's largest breast cancer organization. The OC Marathon
again will feature 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. In the last nine years, the OC Marathon has cumulatively generated
more than $3.5 million for Orange County charities.
Perhaps the OC Marathon's greatest impact is through the "Kids Run the OC"
training program which will host 80 schools and 5,000 kids on Saturday, May
3 at the OC Fair & Events Center. 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. Students are
led through a training program by 120 volunteer coaches, accumulate the
equivalent of 25.2 miles and finish their own marathon by completing the
final mile on Saturday. Collectively more than 17,000 students have
participated in the Kids Run and logged more than 400,000 miles.
"At a time when physical education class time is being limited in our
schools, the Kids Run the OC training program is vital to the health and
academic performance of thousands of Orange County children," said KROC
Event Director Angie Rowe.
The festivities ramp up when the runners cross the finish line at the OC
Fair and Event Center, with the OC Finish Line Festival and Wahoo's Village
featuring great music from a headlining band, free massages for all
runners, tacos, beer, vendor booths and tons of giveaways. Growing in
popularity each year, 2014 promises to be the best party yet!
The 10th OC Marathon will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2014. More than 22,000
runners will participate in the marathon, half marathon, Wahoo's OC 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. Visit www.ocmarathon.com for
more information.
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