Marathon slated for Huntington Beach
A record number of runners and walkers from around the globe are soon
expected to converge on Huntington Beach for a weekend of exercise and
mingling.
Next week’s Surf City Health and Fitness Expo will culminate with the
sixth annual McKenna Volkswagen Pacific Shoreline Marathon from 7 a.m. to
2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27 at Pier Plaza in Huntington Beach.
Taking over as race director, Louise Weaner expects about 6,000
runners to enter the four race categories that include a marathon,
half-marathon, 5K or Youth Mile Run.
“We expect about 800 runners for the marathon, which would be a record
number,” said Weaner, who’s been involved in organizing the race since
its inception in 1997. “There’s a team of 10 runners from Nigeria that
will be running.”
A few changes will mark this year’s race, among them is the addition
of a beer garden that will be setup for participants at the end of the
race.
This new addition has been the cause of much controversy.
The Huntington Beach Police Department was emphatically opposed to the
garden saying it could set a precedent for organizers of future events
near the beach that they don’t want to see.
“Beer and sand traditionally haven’t mixed,” said Police Chief Ron
Lowenberg.
But event organizers feel adding a beer garden will keep the race
competitive with other larger marathons and feel it is important it be
included.
“People train for years and years for this and it’s a nice spot for
all the people to go in and celebrate after the race,” Weaner said.
“Special events like these have to keep up with the times to be
competitive.”
The beer garden will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on race day for
race participants only. All alcohol must stay inside the fenced area.
Runners in the marathon and half-marathon will not be using the
multipurpose path in Bolsa Chica State Park for this year’s race because
of construction in the park, but will instead travel north along Pacific
Coast Highway to Warner Avenue and turn around, said course manager
Franca Del Colle.
Course record holder Gilbert Salazar from Los Angeles will race as
will last year’s winner Robert Leonardo. Salazar set the record in 1999
with a time of 2:27:26.
The three-day Surf City Health and Fitness Expo will take place at the
Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort the Friday and Saturday before the race
and at Pier Plaza on race day.
More than 40 vendors and exhibitors will be offering food samples,
clothing, cookware and housewares, Weaner said.
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