St. Patrick’s Day Half Marathon to “Run Lucky” in Third Year!

SAN DIEGO - Jan. 21, 2015 - PRLog -- El Cajon, CA – The third time will be a charm for the St. Patrick’s Day Half Marathon, which will host its third year and attract more than 10,000 people on St. Patrick’s Day weekend (Sunday, March 5, 2015) in Downtown El Cajon.

"This is one of our favorite events,” said Bill Wells, Mayor of the City of El Cajon.  “The whole city gets behind it and has a great time.”

The competition options include:

·        USA Track & Field-certified half marathon with live on-course entertainment and water/bathroom stations every mile.

·        USA Track & Field-certified Main Street 5k - Possibly the flattest, fastest and most fun 5k you'll ever walk or run.

·        The Green Mile - Everyone wins at this short and safe course for smaller children and adults with developmental disabilities.

·        The Tribes & Clans Competition, a fitness throwdown combining historical survival challenges with urban competition.

Natasha LaBeaud Anzures is among the top competitors who will run the half marathon, organized by international race director Kathy Loper. Jake Cutting, Ambassador Athlete with the Marine Reconnaissance Foundation, and Chad Bell of CrossFit La Mesa are organizing the Tribes & Clans Competition in partnership with the US Police & Fire Championships. Local celebrities also will join the fun.

“El Cajon has grown, it’s beautiful - and if you’re someone who want s race, train for this one because Main Street is flat and beautiful!” said Tommy Sablan, host and producer of the Jeff & Jer Showgram on KYXY. 2015 will be his third time competing.

New to the event line-up is the EC Craft Beer Invitational, organized and supported by members of the San Diego Craft Beer Guild, including URBN Brewery and Stone Brewery. Competitors over age 21 will be rewarded with free entry to the Invitational, and the general public can purchase tickets to taste craft beers from more than 50 breweries.

"We are proud to help create an iconic event and highlight some of the great craft breweries that were born and raised in East County, and enjoyed by aficionados throughout the region," said lead event organizer Alex Carballo, Managing Partner of URBN St. Brewing Co. and former GM/Executive Chef of Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens. Carballo is an award winning and nationally published chef who brings his tremendous experience and respect for craft beer to the festivities. Over the course of his 14 years in the industry, Carballo has organized hundreds of craft beer events from intimate pairing dinners to large festivals.

Once again, the event is focused on encouraging kids to get involved in fitness. For 2015, this includes a new partnership with 27 schools in the Cajon Valley School District.  “Our students are really excited to be training for the St. Patrick’s Day Half Marathon and 5k, and it’s been a great opportunity to teach them the value of fitness,” said David Miyashiro, superintendent.

All events are organized by the RunEC Foundation, an all-volunteer 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Net proceeds will be donated primarily to organizations serving adults with developmental disabilities, notably St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, Noah Homes and Partnerships with Industry. Additional funds will be donated to the National Guard of El Cajon and the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, which Leadership Program originally incubated the concept.

Of course, nothing could take place with the strong leadership and support of key sponsors, including imortgage, Sycuan, Barona, Downtown El Cajon Business Partners, Waste Management, XL Staffing North Island Federal Credit Union and California Bank & Trust. The City of El Cajon is also a major sponsor, providing both financial support and the help of public works, police, recreational and other staff.

“imortgage is proud to help our community prosper and have fun together while giving back to those in need,” said Michael Stowers, San Diego branch manager and chairman of the RunEC Foundation.

For more information or to register for any event, please visit www.StPatricksDayHalf.com or www.ECcraftbeer.com. For media inquiries, please contact Meredith Stowers at 619-520-1018 or meredith@mungerstowers.com.