People jam together at the start of the OC Half Marathon in Newport Beach on Sunday, May 5, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
After thousands of people ran the Hoag OC Marathon course on Sunday, they were celebrated with live music and fun at the finish line at the OC Fair & Event Center.
It was a big weekend for runners with the annual marathon, as well as a half marathon, 5K and fun run for kids, and all for a good cause. Race director Gary Kutscher said the event has raised more than $9 million for charities over the last 20 years.
Jason Yang of San Pedro captured the men’s marathon title, running it in 2:25:11. Gabriella Smith, 26, from Virginia, was the first woman across the finish line, making it in 3:05:30.
Maurice Washington has good reason to celebrate his OC Half Marathon finish in Costa Mesa. He survived two brain surgeries for a rare brain tumor, spent a month in an intensive care unit, and then had to learn to walk again, he said. On Sunday, May 5, 2024 he plowed through the finish line. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Spectators line a fence as they look for their athletes at the OC Marathon finish line in Costa Mesa on Sunday, May 5, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ryan Dooley gives his girlfriend, Sara Amir, a big hug at the OC Half Marathon finish ln Costa Mesa on Sunday, May 5, 2024. It was Amir’s firs half marathon. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
OC Half Marathon athletes, including Gavin Boller, right, finish the 13.1 mile course in Costa Mesa on Sunday, May 5, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
An OC Half Marathon runner is just shy of the finish line in Costa Mesa when he runs out of steam. With assistence he got up and completed the run on Sunday, May 5, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
An OC Half Marathon runner warms up in Newport Beach near the start of the run on Sunday, May 5, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ainsley’s Angels volunteers power off from the starting line in Newport Beach during the OC Half Marathon on Sunday, May 5, 2024. The organization gives people with disabilities an opportunity to experience an endurance run. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Despite some early-morning rain and a few puddles along the course, the weather behaved during the OC Marathon on Sunday, May 5, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People jam together at the start of the OC Half Marathon in Newport Beach on Sunday, May 5, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Maurice Washington has good reason to celebrate his OC Half Marathon finish in Costa Mesa. He survived two brain surgeries for a rare brain tumor, spent a month in an intensive care unit, and then had to learn to walk again, he said. On Sunday, May 5, 2024 he plowed through the finish line. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
It’s a life changing event, especially for those running their first marathon, Kutscher said. One out of five participants registered were running their first marathon, he said.
And what better way to kick-off a first race, than with a course beginning that overlooks Orange County’s seaside.
Sunday’s marathon course took runners from Newport Beach’s Fashion Island to Corona del Mar and then through Costa Mesa and Santa Ana in the early hours of the morning before finishing off at the fairgrounds. The course is mostly flat, but did include a couple hills making it a bit challenging for some. The half marathon follows a portion of the same course.
Runners were welcomed with a celebration fitting for the day’s athletes. Family and friends, as well as community members, cheered from bleachers as this year’s runners trickled over the finish line.
“One of the things we like to say is that the scenery changes every three miles, so it’s not like you’re looking at the same thing for 13 or 26 miles,” Kutscher said. “It really is a unique course that takes all of the good things about Orange County and puts it all into one big basket.”
