60th Annual "Surf City 10 Mile, 10K, and 5K" Draws Participants From 21 States To Huntington Beach, California

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Oct. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A field of more than 4,100 runners participated in the 60^th annual "Surf City 10 Mile, 10K and 5K" along  Huntington Beach on Sunday morning.  Active lifestyle and running enthusiasts from 21 states took part in California's longest-running road race, which extends 10 miles along the Pacific Coast Highway in Southern California each year.

"The Surf City 10 Mile, 10K, and 5K is a one-of-a-kind event which began as the HB Distance Derby 60 years ago and has grown into a destination event for those outside of Southern California," said Amy Tomchak, General Manager of the Surf City 10 Mile, 10K, and 5K.

"Our all-ocean-front course along the iconic 'PCH,' past the Huntington Beach Pier is truly unique to the running world.  We're thrilled to have had such a fantastic turn out again this year, and we congratulate all those who trained and competed with us today," Tomchak added.

The race started and finished between the Hyatt Regency and Hilton Waterfront at Huntington Street and featured several race divisions. 

The top male finisher was Mike Powers, 29 of Newport Beach, CA, with a finish time of 53:54.  "I have been training for a year. The journey really started at mile six right where the course started going uphill," said Powers. "I started with a 5:20 pace and was able to hold it. I'm feeling great."

The top female finisher was Brianna Calvert, 31 of Long Beach, CA, with a finish time of 1:03:57. "I'm a pretty steady runner. I was able to hold a 6:30 pace. I think I finished strong."

Other activities included a post-race festival attended by over 10,000 spectators and featured live music and a Halloween costume contest.

This year, Surf City 10 participants were able to raise funds for Project Self Sufficiency, an Orange-County-based non-profit organization which provides tools and support to help parents achieve their independence. 

"We are extremely grateful to all the participants here today who helped raise more than $13,800 for Project Self Sufficiency," said Brigette Beisner, Program Coordinator for Project Self Sufficiency.

"These funds will be put to use immediately powering programs to help low income, single parents working toward an educational goal to become economically self-sufficient, right here in Orange County," Beisner added. "If you would like to donate, please visit the fundraising website at www.surfcity10.kintera.org."

Lorena Ortega, 42 of Huntington Beach, CA said she is participating in the Surf 10 because she personally knows the importance of the work underway through Project Self Sufficiency. 

"There was a time in my life when I personally relied on Project Self Sufficiency, just to get me through," said Ortega. 

"I'm so glad the Surf City 10 has chosen them as their charity. The biggest obstacle I've had to overcome on this journey is trusting that those who surround me will catch me when I fall.   What an incredible place I find myself in that I'm able to wake up every morning knowing that I have been given the tools to succeed.  And that is why I'm out here completing this course today," Ortega added.

For more information on Project Self Sufficiency, visit http://www.pssfoundation.org/.  For more information on The Surf City 10 Mile, 10K, and 5K, visit http://www.surfcity10.com/. 

ABOUT RACEFORCE, LLC:  RaceForce, LLC is a leading endurance and athletic event production company based in Los Angeles, CA.  By leveraging an extensive worldwide network and a wealth of core competencies including:  Strategic Marketing; Sponsorship Acquisition and Production Support, RaceForce can invest in events, create new events and collaborate with event owners to deploy support where needed while maintaining the event's grassroots identity.   RaceForce events are legendary and cherished by their respective community including the Surf City USA Marathon in Huntington Beach, CA, US Half Marathon in San Francisco, CA and the Ride to Revel Cycling Series through the Napa, Hood River and Silicon valleys, among others.  For more information regarding RaceForce, LLC, visit www.raceforce.com. 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/60th-annual-surf-city-10-mile-10k-and-5k-draws-participants-from-21-states-to-huntington-beach-california-772660951.html

SOURCE RaceForce, LLC

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