Elite Field Announced for U.S. Bank OC Marathon: Malcolm Richards (2:15) And Stephan Shay (2:16) Lead Charge Against Ethiopia’s Gashaw Asfaw (2:08 From 2006)

All-new Cal-Edge Athlete Development Program features $27,000 in prize money with more than $10,000 designated for California athletes

Press Release
April 30, 2014

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – The U.S. Bank OC Marathon’s field of “elite” runners is poised to be its best-ever as several high-profile Olympic hopefuls have entered the 10th anniversary race. Earlier this year, race organizers launched the Cal-Edge Athlete Development Program, increasing the total prize purse to $27,000 with more than $10,000 designated for California athletes.  Runners have the opportunity to earn additional bonuses if they meet the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials “A” or “B” qualifying standards.  Detailed information is available at http://www.ocmarathon.com/ForRunners/Registration/EliteAthletes.aspx.

“The time was right to expand our support to California elite athletes, giving them an extra Edge as they pursue their dream of qualifying for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Los Angeles and perhaps the Rio Olympics,” saidGary Kutscher, Race Director of the U.S. Bank OC Marathon. “Our Cal-Edge Athlete Development program provides post-collegiate athletes from California much needed financial support as they chase their Olympic dreams and the athletes are responding.”

Committed runners include:

·         Malcolm Richards (age 31, San Francisco), a member of the West Valley Track Club in San Francisco, is attempting to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials with an “A” qualifying standard.  As a previous Olympic Trial qualifier, Malcolm’s personal records include 2:15:49 at the 2013 Twin Cities Marathon/US Championship Marathon, and 1:05:07 at the 2013 US Half Marathon Championships in Duluth, MN.

·         Stephan Shay (age 27, Huntington Beach) holds a 2:16:48 Marathon personal record at the 2012 Olympic Trials, and a fast half marathon performance of 1:02:26 at the U.S. Half Marathon Championships.

·         Gashaw Asfaw (age 35, Ethiopia) a two-time Olympian from Ethiopia leads the marathon field with a lifetime personal record of 2:08:03 at the Paris Marathon in 2006.

·         Eli Rodriguez (age 31, Whittier) a previous OC Marathon and Half Marathon champion returns to the marathon course. His personal best marathon time is 2:25:36 at the 2013 Carlsbad Marathon.

·         Jesus Campos (age 29, Fresno) has a personal best of 1:07:32 from the 2012 Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon and hopes to achieve a personal record on The U.S. Bank OC Half Marathon course this year.

·         Mohamed Fadil (age 32, Albuquerque, New Mexico) holds a personal record of 2:19 from the 2013 Minnesota Marathon and a half marathon personal record of 1:04:52 from the 2014 Hollywood Half Marathon.

·         Bonnie Axman (age 28, Imperial Beach) leads the women’s field in the full marathon with a personal best of 2:46:29 at the 2013 Columbus Marathon.

·         Allison DeLancey (Age 33, Gilbert, Arizona) is the leader for the women’s Half Marathon field with a personal record of 1:17:37 set at the US Half Marathon Championships 2012. In 2012 Allison ran the OC Half Marathon in 1:18:34 and finished 3rd.

·         Jennifer Santa Maria (Age 35, San Diego) was an U.S. Olympic Marathon Trial Qualifier in 2012, has a personal record of 1:18:04 from the American River Parkway Half Marathon in 2009.

·         Maria Rivera (Age 25, Visalia) is currently trying for the Olympic Marathon Trial standard and has a personal half marathon record of 1:18:32 at the 2013 BTC Half Marathon.

The inaugural Cal-Edge program allows local top athletes to qualify for California resident-only prize money in addition to the traditional prize purse.  Runners will be able to earn both Overall and Cal-Edge prize purses.  Qualifying athletes will be considered for a complimentary bib number, entry into a seeded race corral, race day amenities and VIP finish line festival access.  To be considered for the Cal-Edge Athlete Development Program, a runner must have proof of race results for the marathon at sub-3:05:00 for women and sub-2:35:00 for men.  Athletes may also qualify with half-marathon times from the past 2 years and must meet the time standards of sub-1:24:00 for women and sub-1:15:00 for men.

The U.S. Bank OC Marathon is considered one of the best full and half marathon courses in the state with its diverse terrain, changing vistas and majestic ocean views.  The race traverses Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine and Santa Ana and boasts a blend of chic coastal scenery, tranquil nature and sophisticated arts and shopping.  The OC Finish Line Festival gets supercharged in 2014 with a headlining band, free massages, tacos, beer and tons of giveaways.

The 10th U.S. Bank OC Marathon will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2014. More than 22,000 runners will participate in the marathon, half marathon, Wahoo’s OC 5K and Kids Run the OC. Additionally, thousands of spectators line the course, the start line in front of the Newport Beach Marriott and finish line at OC Fair and Event Center, while an additional 30,000 attend the two-day Allergan Health & Fitness Expo which showcases national brands and state of the art footwear and training technology.

For more detailed information, visit the event’s website at: www.OCmarathon.com