Pacific Shoreline Marathon draws 5,400 runners

Eron Ben-Yehuda

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- Despite a lower than expected turnout, the fourth

annual Pacific Shoreline Marathon ran smoothly Sunday, organizers said.

More than 5,400 runners participated in events ranging from a three-mile

race to a full, 26-mile marathon, said Louise Weiner, the promoter’s

managing director. But about 8,000 athletes were expected.

There were that many spectators, though, cheering the runners on as they

huffed and puffed. Volunteers numbering 900 held back crowds and kept

track of times, among other things, Weiner said.

The event raised $25,000 for charities, including Huntington Youth

Shelter, the Children’s Hospital of Orange County and the junior

lifeguard program, said Naida Osline, the city’s director of special

events. Officials are still calculating how much, if any, profits the

city made from the event -- which features the only full marathon race in

Orange County.

Gilbert Salazar, 27, of Long Beach won the main event for the men with a

time of 2:33:37. The top runner for the women was Kirsten Kempe, 32, of

Mountain View, who crossed the finish line in 2:56:29.

Taking the highest honors in the half-marathon were Gus Mogarreo, 36, of

San Gabriel in 1:10:27 and Melanie Ellis, 35, of Los Angeles in 1:20:06.

Huntington Beach resident Dave Schumacher, 31, took 25:10 to win the

five-mile run, while Katrina Pricecrosby, 29, of South Pasadena needed

just 28:42 to capture the women’s heat.

Victory in the three-mile races went to Dan Arsenault, 37, of Santa Ana

in 15:48 and Christine Morgan, 31, of Long Beach in 19:07.

Except for a light drizzle in the morning, the partly cloudy day proved

“perfect” for running, Osline said.

To make way for the racers, Pacific Coast Highway and some residential

streets were closed off until midafternoon, but organizers reported few

complaints from locals.