These Organizers Are in It for Long Haul

Some people would look at Orange County’s spotty recent history of marathons and figure the area was better suited for shorter races.

Organizers of a marathon next month in Huntington Beach considered that past and obviously thought otherwise.

The Pacific Shoreline Marathon, to be Jan. 26 on a course along Pacific Coast Highway, builds on an event that started two years ago as a 5K, 10K and half-marathon.

Race director Herb Massinger says the event not only has a chance to endure but expand. He hopes the race can attract runners from other states as it grows.

“We’re smack dab in the middle of the Southern California marketplace. L.A. can’t be as scenic or beautiful as our course,” he said. “It’s a good time of the year in Orange County, and for a national marathon it’s going to be a time when they’re not doing marathons in Chicago or Detroit.”

Massinger said the troubles experienced by other local marathons--Long Beach officials postponed their event in 1995, the Disney marathon in 1995 didn’t have a second edition and the Orange County Marathon suffered financial woes in the early 1990s--provide an opportunity to fill a void.

The race will center on the pier area in Huntington Beach and organizers have planned entertainment, since the event is scheduled for Super Bowl Sunday. “The city has been developing the pier area, it made sense to do a signature event,” Massinger said.

Cost to enter the marathon is $35 until Jan. 1, $24 for the half-marathon and $19 for the 5K or 10K. The marathon will start at 7 a.m.

Along with prizes for the marathon and half-marathon finishers, the top male and female runner from each Orange County city will be honored. For more information, call (714) 661-6062.

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UPCOMING

Southern California Half-Marathon, 5K and 2K. Jan. 11, Woodbridge. Benefits Woodbridge High boosters and the American Lung Assn. Cost: $13-$20. For information, call (714) 559-8171.

Great American Adventure Run, Feb. 8, Central Park West in Huntington Beach. Cross-country run (4.8 miles) and run/walk (2.8 miles). Cost: $14, $16 with T-shirt. For information: (714) 841-5417.

The Orange County Running Notebook appears regularly in the Orange County Edition. Readers are encouraged to provide suggestions about upcoming events. Call (714) 966-5858 or fax (714) 966-5663.