Shoreline Marathon Approved Despite Council’s Concerns

Orange County will get another chance at establishing an annual marathon, thanks to the City Council’s less-than-enthusiastic approval of the upcoming Pacific Shoreline Marathon.

Council members voted 6 to 1 Monday night to go ahead with the event, though they expressed concerns about late notice from city staff and extended road closures. The Jan. 26 marathon will require the closing of Pacific Coast Highway between Beach Boulevard and Warner Avenue from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mayor Ralph H. Bauer cast the only vote against the event, but echoed the words of other council members who complained of getting insufficient planning time from city staff.

Council members also questioned the choice of Hope House, an Anaheim-based women’s shelter, as one of three nonprofit organizations to receive funds from the event, saying all of the organizations should be from Huntington Beach.

The Huntington Beach Junior Lifeguards program and the city’s Citizens Police Academy also will receive funds from the event.

City officials are also asking to have the name changed to include the city of Huntington Beach, but race organizer Herb Massinger said promotional materials have already been printed.

Massinger’s Race Pace Promotions has coordinated the city’s annual run for the last two years. But this year, he is adding a marathon to the event’s 5K, 10K and half-marathon races.

He hopes to establish an annual marathon in Orange County that, with the scenic coastline running course, will eventually rival the Los Angeles Marathon.

Massinger said he has been working on the event for months with city staff members and wasn’t aware that council members were not kept up to date. He is paying all city costs and has invested about $100,000 in the event, city officials say.

The event is expected to attract 3,000 runners, including 500 marathoners.

Race registration and information: (714) 661-6062. Registration forms are also available at City Hall.