FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10th Annual U.S. Bank OC Marathon Features Strong Elite Field
All-New Cal-Edge Athlete Development Program Features $27,000 in Prize
Money With More Than $10,000 Designated for California Athletes
NEWPORT BEACH, California - The U.S. Bank OC Marathon's field of "elite"
runners is poised to be its best-ever as several high-profile Olympic
hopefuls have entered the 10th annual race. Earlier this year, race
organizers launched the Cal-Edge Athlete Development Program, increasing
the total prize purse to $27,000 with more than $10,000 designated for
California athletes. Runners have the opportunity to earn additional
bonuses if they meet the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials "A" or "B"
qualifying standards. Detailed information is available at
http://www.ocmarathon.com/ForRunners/Registration/EliteAthletes.aspx.
"The time was right to expand our support to California elite athletes,
giving them an extra Edge as they pursue their dream of qualifying for the
2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Los Angeles and perhaps the Rio
Olympics," said Gary Kutscher, Race Director of the U.S. Bank OC Marathon.
"Our Cal-Edge Athlete Development program provides post-collegiate athletes
from California much needed financial support as they chase their Olympic
dreams and the athletes are responding."
Key runners to date include:
- Malcolm Richards (age 31, San Francisco), a member of the West Valley
Track Club in San Francisco, is attempting to qualify for the 2016 Olympic
Marathon Trials with an "A" qualifying standard. As a previous Olympic
Trial qualifier, Malcolm's personal records include 2:15:49 at the 2013
Twin Cities Marathon/US Championship Marathon, and 1:05:07 at the 2013 US
Half Marathon Championships in Duluth, MN.
- Stephan Shay (age 27, Huntington Beach) holds a2:16:48 Marathon personal
record at the 2012 Olympic Trials, and a fast half marathon performance of
1:02:26 at the U.S. Half Marathon Championships.
- GashawAsfaw (age 35, Ethiopia) a two-time Olympian from Ethiopia leads
the marathon field with a lifetime personal record of 2:08:03 at the Paris
Marathon in 2006.
- Eli Rodriguez (age 31, Whittier) a previous OC Marathon and Half Marathon
champion returns to the marathon course. His personal best marathon time is
2:25:36 at the 2013 Carlsbad Marathon.
- Jesus Campos (age 29, Fresno) has a personal best of 1:07:32 from the
2012 Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon and hopes to achieve a
personal record on The U.S. Bank OC Half Marathon course this year.
- Mohamed Fadil (age 32, Albuquerque, New Mexico) holds a personal record
of 2:19 from the 2013 Minnesota Marathon and a half marathon personal
record of 1:04:52 from the 2014 Hollywood Half Marathon.
- Bonnie Axman (age 28, Imperial Beach) leads the women's field in the full
marathon with a personal best of 2:46:29 at the 2013 Columbus Marathon.
- Allison DeLancey (Age 33, Gilbert, Arizona) is the leader for the women's
Half Marathon field with a personal record of 1:17:37 set at the US Half
Marathon Championships 2012. In 2012 Allison ran the OC Half Marathon in
1:18:34 and finished 3rd.
- Jennifer Santa Maria (Age 35, San Diego) was anU.S. Olympic Marathon
Trial Qualifier in 2012, has a personal record of 1:18:04 from the American
River Parkway Half Marathon in 2009.
- Maria Rivera (Age 25, Visalia) is currently trying for the Olympic
Marathon Trial standard and has a personal half marathon record of 1:18:32
at the 2013 BTC Half Marathon.
The inaugural Cal-Edge program allows local top athletes to qualify for
California resident-only prize money in addition to the traditional prize
purse. Runners will be able to earn both Overall and Cal-Edge prize
purses. Qualifying athletes will be considered for a complimentary bib
number, entry into a seeded race corral, race day amenities and VIP finish
line festival access. To be considered for the Cal-Edge Athlete Development
Program, a runner must have proof of race results for the marathon at
sub-3:05:00 for women and sub-2:35:00 for men. Athletes may also qualify
with half-marathon times from the past 2 years and must meet the time
standards of sub-1:24:00 for women and sub-1:15:00 for men.
The U.S. Bank OC Marathon is considered one of the best full and half
marathon courses in the state with its diverse terrain, changing vistas and
majestic ocean views. The race traverses Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine
and Santa Ana and boasts a blend of chic coastal scenery, tranquil nature
and sophisticated arts and shopping. The OC Finish Line Festival gets
supercharged in 2014 with a headlining band, free massages, tacos, beer and
tons of giveaways.
The 10th U.S. Bank OC Marathon will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2014. More
than 22,000 runners will participate in the marathon, half marathon,
Wahoo's OC 5K and Kids Run the OC. Additionally, thousands of spectators
line the course, the start line in front of the Newport Beach Marriott and
finish line at OC Fair and Event Center, while an additional 30,000 attend
the two-day Allergan Health & Fitness Expo which showcases national brands
and state of the art footwear and training technology.
For more detailed information, visit the event's brand new website at
www.ocmarathon.com.
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