FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Surf City USA® Marathon Celebrates 15th Anniversary With
Fifth Consecutive Sell-Out
Race Attracts 21,000 Runners From All 50 States,
Nearly 1000 U.S. Cities And 18 Foreign Countries
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – Wednesday, January 12, 2011 – Race organizers
today announced that the Surf City USA® Marathon, Half Marathon and One
Mile Charity races are sold out for the fifth consecutive year.
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, a record 21,000 runners are signed up for
the February 6, 2011 (Super Bowl Sunday) race which is preceded by a
two-day Active Lifestyle Exposition. The Surf City USA Half Marathon
continues riding a huge wave of success, ranked among the top 10 half
marathons in the nation and number three in the Golden State, fueled in
large part by female participation. Detailed information is available at
www.runsurfcity.com.
Historically, the Surf City USA Marathon 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 charities and causes including autism, cystic
fibrosis, cancer and many more. Chief among these is Irvine-based Free
Wheelchair Mission whose Run for Mobility has raised more than $1,800,000
during the past six years to send specially engineered wheelchairs around
the world.
Other stories of courage and self sacrifice include Candace Ransom
(Riverside County, CA) a mother running in memory of her son, a surfer
killed by a great white shark; Greg Salcido (Alta Loma, CA) a LA County
Deputy Sheriff who survived after being struck by a tow truck while on
duty; Amanda Packer (Costa Mesa, CA) a survivor of Rocky Mountain Spotted
Fever and Lyme Disease running on behalf of Free Wheelchair Mission; Mary
Beth Ratzlaff (San Diego, CA) whose husband, a USMC pilot was killed on
duty in Iraq; and Carlos Baldoz (Stamford, CT) whose 10 year-old son
Francis passed away shortly after a diagnosis of Bone Cancer on Christmas
Eve 2002.
Seventy five Septuagenarians (age 70 – 79) and five Octogenarians (age 80 –
89) prove that the "Fountain of Youth" is alive and well in Surf City. For
most people the thought of running a half marathon (13.1 miles) at age 84
seems farfetched, but Dorothy Joy (Yucaipa, CA) and Virginia Zarrow (Yorba
Linda, CA) relish the upcoming challenge. Both began running late in life,
both are veterans of Surf City and both are among the four half marathoners
(three women, one man) age 80 or older proving that age is no barrier.
Huntington Beach's George Border (age 82) is the lone Octogenarian running
the full marathon.
The rising stature of the Surf City USA Marathon continues to add an
"out-of-town" flavor to the popular race. Overall, residents of nearly
1000 U.S. cities are trekking to Surf City in early February; a boon to the
local economy. While Californians still dominate, all 50 U.S. states are
represented and participation from residents of Arizona, Colorado,
Illinois, Oregon, Nevada, Utah and Washington each exceed 100 runners.
Several states feature 40 or more runners-Idaho, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas,
New York, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Led by Canada and the United Kingdom,
18 foreign countries are represented in the event.
"We continue to be a little stunned at the national attention that this
event brings, though it is an ideal setting for professional and amateur
runners alike," said Surf City General Manager Amy Tomchak. "The beach
atmosphere and typically mild winter weather provides an attractive option.
People across the country have been training in snow, blizzards, and
driving rain; getting to come here in February to run for a surfboard medal
is a postcard opportunity."
The Surf City USA Marathon, which serves as a "qualifier" for the
prestigious Boston Marathon, was rated among the top five marathon
experiences in America by Marathon and Beyond. The award-winning course is
scenic and flat with much of the race taking place on the beachfront
running path, but also featuring the famed pier, beauty of the Bolsa Chica
Wetlands and serenity of Central Park. More than 30,000 spectators from
all 50 states and 18 foreign countries are anticipated to pack the downtown
and outlying areas.
ABOUT SURF CITY USA MARATHON
The 15th Surf City USA Marathon is held on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011
and plays host to over 20,000 runners from around the world. Staged in
front of The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton hotel, this exclusive
oceanfront course runs on Pacific Coast Highway, past the famous Huntington
Beach Pier and winds through the surfing beaches that define Southern
California. Weekend highlights include the two-day Active Lifestyle Beach
Expo and Michelob Ultra Post Race Beer Garden. Through Free Wheelchair
Mission's Run for Mobility, the race as raised more than $1.8 million over
the past six years and distributed nearly 38,000 specially engineered
wheelchairs to needy and developing nations. More information is available
at www.runsurfcity.com.
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