OC Marathon on Pace for Record Entries; Introduces "OC Tastefest"

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., March 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Entries for the 2012 OC Marathon, one of the premier destination races in Southern California, are 30 percent ahead of last year and expected to top the record 15,000 runners in 2011.  Among the reasons for the growth spurt are the popularity of the "Beach Cities Challenge", the "Kids Run the OC presented by Nutrilite®" and the all-new "OC Tastefest."  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 in the "California Beach Cities Challenge" racing series, a unique alliance among the Surf City USA Marathon, the Long Beach International City Bank Marathon, and the OC Marathon - all of which utilize a portion of Pacific Coast Highway.  Runners who participate in all events in the series (consecutively) are rewarded with a large medal in the shape of a surfboard depicting the symbols of each race they have completed in the series. 

Also continuing its impressive growth is the OC Marathon's "Kids Run the OC," which will host a record number of schools and nearly 4,000 kids on Saturday, May 5.  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 teachers and/or volunteers, accumulate the equivalent of 25.2 miles and finish their own marathon by completing the final mile on Saturday. 

An exciting and highly anticipated new addition to the OC Marathon in 2012 is the inaugural "OC Tastefest", which features culinary delights from restaurants throughout Orange County.  This event will showcase the diversity of global cuisine from dozens of our favorite OC restaurants in the "Heart of OC," at the OC Fair and Event Center.  Details are available at www.octastefest.com.

The Eighth Annual OC Marathon will be held on Sunday, May 6, 2012.  More than 18,000 runners will participate in the marathon, half marathon, OC Wahoo's 5K and "Kids Run the OC presented by Nutrilite®."  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.  Tens of thousands attend the two-day Allergan Health & Fitness Expo which showcases national brands and state of the art footwear and training technology.  The OC Marathon is USATF certified and can be used as a qualifier for any marathon in the U.S. including Boston, further adding to its allure.  More information is available at www.ocmarathon.com.

SOURCE OC Marathon