FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
First Time Marathoner, Paul Sarris, Wins Surf City Usa Marathon
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – Sunday, February 5, 2012 – Paul Sarris, age 34
of Aliso Viejo, won the 16th annual Surf City USA Marathon in a time of
2:30:07. Competing in his first-ever marathon, Sarris finished more than
seven minutes ahead of runner up Gray Augustus (age 26 from Ammon, ID).
"Surf City was a great event," said Sarris. The volunteers were everywhere
and very helpful. The whole experience was amazing."
California's largest combined oceanfront marathon and half-marathon
featured more than 20,000 pre-registered runners from all 50 states and 18
foreign countries. A crowd of more than 50,000 lined Pacific Coast Highway
in Huntington Beach for near-perfect racing conditions. An additional
50,000 spectators attended the Active Lifestyle Expo on Saturday. Detailed
race information including winning times is available at
www.runsurfcity.com.
In the women's marathon, Carla McAlister (age 34 from San Clemente)
defeated Hayley McKenn (age 31 from Portland, OR). McAllister's time,
3:02:48 was more than three minutes faster than McKenn's (3:05:52). The
winner of the men's half-marathon was Steven Osaduik (age 26 from Canada)
who finished in 1:06:33 while Liz Camy (age 28 from Chico) won the women's
half marathon in 1:17:18.
The race reached its capacity on Jan. 5, the earliest in its history,
according to general manager Amy Tomchak. This was the seventh consecutive
year it has sold out, Tomchak said. "The race field was capped at 20,000
runners to preserve the spectacular running experience and ensure the
participants don't feel crowded," Tomchak said.
For the seventh consecutive year, the Surf City USA Marathon served as a
fundraiser for the Free Wheelchair Mission, an Irvine-based nonprofit group
that builds and delivers specially engineered wheelchairs for the
impoverished disabled in developing nations. The "Run for Mobility"
fundraiser raised more than $2 million during its first six years, Tomchak
said.
Broadcast Video: https://www.yousendit.com/download/T2dmUWVqMGN3NUkxZXNUQw
About The Surf City USA Marathon
The 16th Surf City USA Marathon was held on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012
and played 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. Surf City USA Marathon
Official Sponsors include Oakley, Michelob Ultra, the Waterfront Beach
Resort, Kona Brewing, Arrowhead, Vitalyte Sports Drink and Hoag Hospital.
Through Free Wheelchair Mission's Run for Mobility, the race as raised more
than $2.0 million over the past six years and distributed nearly 40,000
specially engineered wheelchairs to needy and developing nations. More
information is available at www.runsurfcity.com.
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