Huntington Beach Races Attract More Than 5,000 Sole Mates

Taking advantage of a sunny, cool Sunday, thousands of runners took part in the second annual Pacific Shoreline Marathon, more than doubling last year’s numbers with about 5,000 runners participating in the races.

This year’s event, which began at 7 a.m. at Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street, was so successful that organizers had to order hundreds more T-shirts and other goodies for participants only minutes before the races were scheduled to start.

With a little more experience this year, organizers made sure to avoid some of the mistakes that frustrated last year’s participants, such as posting confusing signs that sent some runners on the wrong path or not having enough drinking water.

But with the help of 700 volunteers, more than 2,000 gallons of drinking water and plenty of sunshine, the races went smoothly.

“It didn’t help last year that it rained,” said organizer Michael Egan, noting that 2,700 people still showed up. “But even though people had problems last year, they wanted to give this a second chance.”

Added runner and Huntington Beach resident Rick Seifert: “Last year, there were a lot of disgruntled runners. This year there were more people and it was much more organized.”

The event included 5K and 10K races, a half-marathon and a full marathon.

Huntington Beach resident Rob McNair, 43, won this year’s marathon in 2:49. Second place went to Jim Obrien, 44, of Monrovia and third place to Ted Staull, 42, of Lawndale.

The first woman over the marathon finish line was Huntington Beach resident Kelly Falthers, 26, with time of 2:55. Second place went to Diane Smith Daruty, 34, of Newport Beach and third place to Tina Pauley, 28, of Irvine.

Winning marathoners took home $700.

On Sunday, runners milled about Main Street after completing their races--stretching, drinking water or coffee, soaking up the sun, and listening to a local band play surf music.

Many of the participants--such as Oceanside resident Carol MacLaren and her father, Bill, who lives in Huntington Beach--trained most of 1997. Both were happy with their times in the 5K race.

“God willing, I’ll be back next year,” said Bill MacLaren, 62.

The course, which stretched along Pacific Coast Highway from Main Street to 17th Street, wound its way along the path that continues south to the Huntington Beach Pier.

Pacific Coast Highway was closed off from Beach Boulevard to Warner Avenue--basically the entire stretch of the Huntington Beach coastline.

There were a few dozen runners who suffered from dehydration and minor injuries, but there were no major incidents or emergency cases, officials said.

Some runners, like John Hafeli, who pulled a calf muscle only a quarter of a mile into the 13.1-mile half-marathon, showed their iron wills by making sure to finish despite their injuries.

“I finished really, really late. I just decided to take it slow,” said Hafeli, who lives in Long Beach. “But this was really fun. The people are really nice.”

For many participants, running the 26.2-mile marathon was a way to feel guilt-free later in the day as they drank beer and ate hot dogs while watching the Super Bowl.

“I gotta do this [marathon] so I can party later on for the Super Bowl,” explained Denver Broncos fan Rhonda Dall of Corona.

* HOMETOWN VICTOR: Local background helps runner Rob McNair to first-place win. C8