Over 19,000 Participants And Nearly 45,000 Spectators Attend The 19th Annual Surf City USA Marathon & Half Marathon In Huntington Beach
Sellout event attracts runners from over 1,000 cities and 24 countries to participate in California's largest combined oceanfront marathon and half marathon.
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Feb. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Over 19,000 runners and nearly 45,000 spectators attended the 19th annual Surf City USA Marathon & Half Marathon and three-day Expo in Huntington Beach, Calif. on Sunday. Runners from 1,000 cities from 24 countries participated in California's largest combined oceanfront marathon and half marathon, which takes place along a portion of the iconic Pacific Coast Highway.
"The Surf City USA Marathon has become an international destination event and we're thrilled to be able to share this iconic event with people from all over the world," said Amy Tomchak, General Manager of the Surf City USA Marathon & Half Marathon.
"The Race and Expo are cherished by the running community. We celebrate and congratulate all runners for participating, and we give our thanks and gratitude to each of our sponsors and the hundreds of crew and volunteers who helped make this weekend a remarkable success," Tomchak added.
The race start and finish took place in front of The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton hotel, and featured an exclusive oceanfront course along the Pacific Coast Highway, past the Huntington Beach Pier and through legendary surfing beaches that define Southern California. Weekend highlights included the three-day Active Lifestyle Beach Expo, live musical performances by local bands and the Michelob Ultra Post Race Beer Garden.
The top male finisher in the marathon division was Cheyne Inman, 29, of Hayward, Calif., with an official race time of 2:35:35. "This is my second year running the race and I love the event," said Inman.
"Training has been going great. I had 110 miles this week, and I was really happy with the support on the course from the numerous aid stations to the constant crowds screaming along the way," Inman added.
The top female finisher in the marathon division was Devon Yanko, 32, of San Anselmo, Calif., with an official race time of 2:48:20. "It was a fun day out there," said Yanko.
"The course is more challenging than I expected and I didn't feel great, but ultimately pulling through for the win is so satisfying. Everything about the Surf City Marathon was well organized and executed. I couldn't have asked for anything more from the race organization," Yanko continued.
"It was awesome to have some fun in the sun and surf," Yanko added.
The top male finisher in the half marathon division was JP Slater, 24, of Berkeley, Calif., with an official race time of 1:06:29. The top female finisher in the half marathon division was Liz Camy, 31, of Simi Valley, Calif., with an official race time of 1:17:12.
Anne Garret, 80, of Oceanside, Calif., set a national record for the half marathon in the 80-84 women's age division. Her official race time was 2:13:23. Garret, who will turn 81 on February 5, previously set the American age-group record for the 75-79 age division at the 2012 Surf City Half Marathon.
At the finish line, runners received the specially designed surfboard medal named "Riptide" and official long sleeve finisher shirts.
"This year's event had the highest amount of sponsorship in our history. Our sponsors helped create an interactive finish line expo where attendees enjoyed over 95 exhibitors, live entertainment and some of the best products on the market," said Tomchak.
"On behalf of the Surf City USA Marathon & Half Marathon, I would like to extend a special thanks to our sponsors, including Michelob Ultra, CLIF BAR & Company, Rebel Fish and Arrowhead® Brand 100% Mountain Spring Water, and California Resources Corporation," Tomchak added.
Other sponsors included Kona Brewing, Vitalyte Sports Drink, Brand Inc., Dole, and The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel.
Since 2006, Surf City fundraising participants helped raise over $2.1 million for the Irvine-based Free Wheelchair Mission's "Run for Mobility" program. Funds raised power the engineering and distribution of more than 40,000 wheelchairs which provide mobility to people around the world. This year, Surf City participants raised over $60,000 for the Free Wheelchair Mission.
"Currently there are over 100 million people around the world who need wheelchairs and simply don't have access to them," said Don Schoendorfer, Founder & President, Free Wheelchair Mission.
"The vital funds raised through Run for Mobility at the Surf City USA Marathon play a major role in supporting our efforts to provide wheelchairs at no charge to impoverished people with disabilities living in developing nations. We are grateful to all those running and the generous sponsors who've helped make this marathon one of the premier running events in the country. We invite all those participating to become fundraisers by visiting www.freewheelchairmission.org/runformobility," Schoendorfer added.
The 20th annual Surf City USA Marathon & Half Marathon will take place on February 7, 2016.
To register or access more information about the Surf City USA Marathon, visit www.runsurfcity.com.
ABOUT SURF CITY USA MARATHON: The 19th Surf City USA Marathon and Half Marathon is held on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015 and plays host to over 20,000 runners from around the world. The exclusive oceanfront course runs on the Pacific Coast Highway, past the Huntington Beach Pier and through Southern California surfing beaches. Weekend highlights include the three-day Active Lifestyle Beach Expo and finish line beach party and Michelob Ultra Beer Garden. Premiere sponsors include Michelob Ultra, CLIF BAR & Company, Rebel Fish and Arrowhead® Brand 100% Mountain Spring Water, and California Resources Corporation More information on the race is available at www.runsurfcity.com.
ABOUT RACEFORCE, LLC: RaceForce, LLC ("RaceForce") is a subsidiary of OmniForce, LLC, and 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 Marathon in Huntington Beach, CA and the Golden Gate Half Marathon in San Francisco, CA. For more information regarding RaceForce, LLC, visit www.raceforce.com.
For exclusive photos, video and results, please contact Sara DelaHaya, below:
MEDIA CONTACT:
Sara DelaHaya
Communications Coordinator
Surf City USA Marathon & Half Marathon
(318) 294-1419
[email protected]
SOURCE Surf City USA Marathon & Half Marathon
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