World-Class Running Comes to East County with Hooleys Half Marathon & 5k

Feb. 14, 2013 - PRLog -- San Diego’s East County, CA – How do you get wealthy business owners and their families to tour East County San Diego while supporting critical local charities?

You host a world-class half marathon and 5k run/walk.

That’s the goal of RunEC’s first inaugural race Hooleys Half Marathon and 5k Run/Walk which will be held St. Patrick’s’ Day (Sunday, March 17, 2013). Originally organized by members of the 2012 Leadership Class of the East County Chamber of Commerce, RunEC is creating a series of race events that promise to quickly join the ranks of best running experiences available to runners today.

“Events like the Carlsbad Marathon attract ten thousand runners and their families to the community,” says Mike Stowers of imortgage, chairman of RunEC. “They spend millions of dollars in those communities, especially raising money for local charities, and the race enhances the brand image of the community.”

“We want to do the same in East County – not just this year but for years to come.”

“Runners are surprisingly wealthy as a demographic – similar to golf but equally men and women – and they are highly likely to ‘stay and play’ with their families throughout the race weekend,” says Guy Gonzales, of Waddell Reed and a member of the RunEC board of directors. Research on other marathons shows that for every dollar a runner spends directly on a race, there is an additional $1.31 spent into the community on restaurants, hotels and shopping.

The First Race
The first event will showcase Rancho San Diego and El Cajon with a course starting at Hooleys Pub & Grill in Rancho San Diego and doubling back at the El Cajon Promenade. Three race events will be held:

·        A certified half marathon course

·        A 5k run/walk

·        A “Green Mile” run for adults with developmental disabilities

The Race Director is Kathy Loper who organizes races all over the world, including the China Great Wall Marathon, but who happens to reside in La Mesa. The Hooleys Half Marathon has been joined to Loper’s Saturday race in Mission Bay, to create a St. Patrick’s Day ‘Weekend Super Challenge.’ RunEC is also aggressively marketing the event in San Diego, Imperial, Riverside, Orange, and Los Angeles Counties as well as Arizona and Nevada.

Finish Line Festival
In addition to the race participants, there will be hundreds of spectators and family members to enjoy the Finish Line Festivities with Saint Patrick’s day-themed entertainment. The Finish Line Festival is being built as an extension of Hooleyfest, which will be celebrated the night before. Thanks to sponsors, runners and guests will be treated to:

·        A light breakfast hosted by Sycuan

·        A “Diamond Dig” raffle sponsored by Diamond Creations by Ramona

·        Massage chairs provided by Home & Soul

·        Live bands, Irish entertainment, and bounce houses for the kids

Additionally a halfway breakfast and party will be hosted on the El Cajon Promenade so family members and the community can cheer on runners while listening to an Irish band and enjoying breakfast at local restaurants such as Downtown Café.

Support from East County Companies
Other East County companies have donated generously to support the inaugural race, including imortgage as the Presenting Sponsor, Barona, California Bank & Trust and Sports Authority which hosts packet pick-up at Grossmont Center in La Mesa. AMR Ambulances and XL Staffing have donated critical services (medical and security) to support the race.

All for the Charities
All net proceeds are designated for East County charities, specifically for 2013 St. Madeliene-Sophie’s Center, Home of Guiding Hands, Partnerships with Industry, the East County Transitional Living Center and Stoney’s Kids.

“RunEC’s support for charities is especially exciting because there is so much help needed,” says Odie Goward of California Bank & Trust, a member of the RunEC board of directors. “RunEC is creating a new race & revenue source that is vital.”

The concept for RunEC was sparked at and created by members of the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, which continues to be an active supporter and which receive a percentage of all funds raised. Members of our Board of Directors are recognized as leaders in the local community including Cliff Diamond, Odie Goward, Mike Stowers, Guy Gonzales, Rob Ransweiler, Anne Ebert, Meredith Munger and Jeff Davies.

How Can You Help?
“We hope East County will support this race as runners, volunteers, or sponsors,” says Cliff Diamond. “Cheer runners at the Halfway Point on the Promenade or at the Finish Line Festival. Nothing is more important to the runners experience than enthusiastic support from our community on race-day.”

For more information, visit www.runeastcounty.com or contact Meredith Munger at 619-928-4575 or Meredith@meredithmunger.com