imortgage Shoots To Break Guinness World Record For Most Leprechauns Running In Third Annual St. Patrick's Day Half Marathon

EL CAJON, Calif., March 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- imortgage, one of the nation's top-five national nonbank retail mortgage lenders and a division of loanDepot LLC, is a sponsor of the Third Annual St. Patrick's Day Half Marathon in San Diego. Olympic contender Natasha LaBeaud Anzures will be competing in this year's event which begins at 7:30 AM on Sunday, March 15, in the 24 Hour Fitness parking lot at 198 W. Main St., El Cajon, CA.

The event, which includes a 5K Run/Walk, Leprechaun Challenge, Green Mile Fun Run and a Tribes and Clans Fitness Competition, has the opportunity to break the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as leprechauns at an organized event.

Approximately 5,000 runners have already registered for the half marathon. More than 1,263 people dressed as leprechauns are needed break the record set in March 2012 in Bandon Town in Bandon, Ireland. 

"imortgage is excited to bring light hearted fun to a community event like the St. Patrick's Day Half Marathon," said Michael Stowers, imortgage San Diego branch manager. "We sponsor the race because it benefits The Run EC Foundation, a local organization effective in bringing awareness to our communities and the great things happening here. This year we added a competition to help kids win prizes for their schools for highest participation and the most supporters who come out to cheer race day competitors."

El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells said, "This is one of our favorite events. The whole city is behind it and has a great time."

"While this really is a strong community event, we are also drawing in runners from Arizona, Northern California and Nevada," said Kathy Loper, race director.

The Green Mile Fun Run is open to children and to adults with developmental disabilities. Participants will chase a leprechaun with a pot of gold down a one mile track. The school with the highest number of participants (runners and supporters) will receive $500. The group with the fastest runner in the half marathon will receive $250, and $150 will be awarded for Best Costume. Run EC and Cajon Valley School District trained students from 27 schools to compete in this year's event. Each participant who finishes the race will be awarded a T-shirt and medal. 

"Our students are really excited to be training for the St. Patrick's Day Half Marathon and 5k, and it has been a great opportunity to teach them the value of fitness," said David Miyashiro, superintendent of Cajon Valley School District, which operates 27 schools in San Diego County.

A Tribes and Clans Fitness Competition has been added this year, an ultimate fitness competition that unites the toughest challenges from ancient days for modern warriors, and is open to children and adults. The competition will start with the 5K race and will be followed by three rounds of thrusters, pull-ups and 20-inch box jumps.

The EC Craft Beer Invitational will feature the best local artisan beer and wines, food trucks, live music, cash prizes, bounce houses and children's entertainment.

Proceeds of the race benefit RunEC, an affiliation of the East County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program from 2012. Its graduating class set a goal as part of its economy project to generate new revenue for local charities, while highlighting the East County's growth. In 2014, nearly $25,000 was donated to local organizations, including youth programs. More than 2,200 participants took part in the races last year, with more expected this year. The race is beginning to attract runners from out of state, as well.

For more information, visit www.stpatricksdayhalf.com

ABOUT IMORTGAGE
imortgage is a leading private nonbank national retail mortgage lender based in Scottsdale, AZ. Established in 1999, imortgage operates 85+ local branch offices throughout the United States and is one of the fastest-growing, most well-respected retail lenders in the country today. imortgage delivers a service-driven, customer-focused home loan purchase experience which has earned the company the exclusive Eliant Certification for Customer Service Excellence. imortgage is a loanDepot LLC brand operating under NMLS# 174457. Learn more about imortgage at imortgage.com or by calling a local branch.

ABOUT LOANDEPOT LLC
Launched in 2010, loanDepot LLC is an emerging-growth nonbank consumer lender and market leader offering mortgage and nonmortgage lending products in all 50 states. Founded in 2010 by industry pioneer and innovator Anthony Hsieh, loanDepot LLC operates under the brand names loanDepot.com, imortgage, Mortgage Master, and LDWholesale.  The company maintains dual headquarters in Foothill Ranch, CA and Plano, TX, operates 130+ local branches offering lending products to consumers nationwide, and generates loan production from four technology-enabled business centers. More than 4000 people are employed by loanDepot, including 1300+ licensed loan officers. As America's consumer lender, loanDepot is disrupting consumer finance and redefining the market with less division between mortgage and nonmortgage credit amid changes in consumer behavior and technology, access to credit, economic cycles and market consolidation. loanDepot LLC is an approved seller and servicer for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae. loanDepot.com, LLC, NMLS # 174457 Learn more at loanDepot.com

SOURCE loanDepot LLC

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