Record-Breaking Entries & Myriad Story Angles for Surf City USA® Marathon

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Jan. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The largest combined oceanfront marathon and half marathon event in California, the Surf City USA Marathon showcases more than 20,000 participants and 50,000 spectators from all 50 states and 18 foreign countries on Super Bowl Sunday, February 3, 2013.  The award-winning race serves as a qualifier for both the Olympic Trials and prestigious Boston Marathon.  One hundred thousand race aficionados are anticipated to attend the two-day Active Lifestyle Beach Expo on Friday and Saturday.  Key story starters include:

Ten "at risk" teens from KidWorks in Santa Ana tackle the Half Marathon: The runners, who range in age from 13 to 19, have been training for the past three months.  KidWorks serves 330 children and over 1,000 family and community members weekly through tutoring, mentoring, health and fitness, leadership development, and community advocacy.

Nationally Ranked Half Marathon: The Surf City USA Half Marathon is riding a huge wave of success.  Ranked among the top 20 half marathons in the nation and number three in the Golden State, women help fuel the surge accounting for 65 percent of runners.

Local MD Heads State-of-the-Art Medical Team: Local MD Dr. Aish supervises nearly 200 health care professionals who work the medical stations along the course and at the finish line.  His team includes doctors, nurses, physical therapists, athletic trainers, massage therapists, chiropractors, emergency medical technicians and other certified medical staff.  Additionally, four engine stations from the HB Fire Department are positioned along the course.

100-Plus Septuagenarians & Octogenarians: Ninety-eight Septuagenarians (age 70 – 79) and four Octogenarians (age 80 – 85) prove that the "Fountain of Youth" is alive and well in Surf City.  The oldest is half marathoner Dorothy Joy of Yucaipa who relishes the challenge. 

Free Wheelchair Mission's "Run For Mobility": The innovative Run for Mobility has raised more than $1.7 million during the past seven years to send nearly 40,000 specially engineered wheelchairs around the world.  An alliance forged in 2006, last year's Team Mobility effort featured more than 350 runners, 115 volunteers and raised enough funds to donate 2,400 wheelchairs.

Heart Warming Human Interest Stories: The race features myriad heart-warming human interest stories including runners who have conquered disease, obesity and personal loss to those who participate on behalf of several notable charities and causes (names available upon request).

Heads in Beds: Led by the Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel, the city's hotel rooms are filled to capacity with overflow going to surrounding communities.  Room stays average three nights as attendees are spending more time and money visiting Surf City's landmarks.  More than 70 FREE runner shuttles are provided on race day; a program that started with zero buses in 2005. 

The Surf City USA Marathon starts at 6:30 a.m. and the Half Marathon's 15 waves start at 7:45 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 3.  For more detailed information, please visit www.runsurfcity.com.

SOURCE Surf City USA Marathon