Marathon in Huntington Will Offer a Beer Chaser

Promoters of the Pacific Shoreline Marathon in Huntington Beach want to offer runners a beer after the race as a way to attract more participants, sponsors and dollars to the annual event.

And despite the Police Department’s objections, they will get their chance on a trial basis at the next race, Jan. 27.

The City Council recently approved a beer garden for runners on several conditions, including a limit of two beers per runner and only within the exposition area at Pier Plaza after the race.

“We just wanted to add something celebratory for the runners,” said Herb Massinger, president of Race Pace Promotions, which runs the event.

“And of course sponsors are looking at the experience participants are having” when deciding whether to throw money at the event, he added.

If the experience includes a fond recollection of a local microbrew, it could help enhance the race’s image, Massinger said.

A beer garden, which the promoter said is common at marathons, could bring the event one step closer to his vision of a daylong festival, with many more vendors and activities.

“We hope it will hold people there a little longer,” Massinger said. “These people plan a year in advance to do the marathon, so when they come to town, we want everything to be special.”

But the Police Department, sees potential for problems.

“We are all for everybody having a great time, but historically when we’ve had large events, when we’ve added alcohol, there is [a] public-safety concern,” said spokesman Lt. Chuck Thomas.

Mayor Debbie Cook said she is willing to at least try the garden to see if it works.

“I don’t think you stop trying new things just because it could be a problem,” Cook said. “It seems to me [the beer garden] will be very well-contained and it might enhance the event.”

Massinger said he would prefer local microbrewer Huntington Beach Beer Co., an original sponsor, to run the beer garden, but no deal has been set yet.

The Huntington Beach event, in its sixth year, drew 500 runners last year for the full marathon and 5,300 runners in combined races, including a half-marathon, 10K and 5K. Its $700 top prize compares with the $10 million in prizes of the Los Angeles Marathon, which draws about 20,000 racers.