Big Bear North Shore Half Marathon Gets Inspiration from Oahu's North Shore
Big Bear Lake, Calif. September 11, 2014– The north shore of Hawaii's Oahu Island is renowned for its scenic beauty and laid back atmosphere. Big Bear Lake also has a north shore that is pristine and picturesque. Veteran race organizer Tom Spiegel wants to showcase the scenic beauty of Big Bear Lake's north shore with an event that features three running races, which includes a half marathon, 10k and 5k. The inaugural Big Bear North Shore Half Marathon takes placeSaturday, September 27 at 9 a.m.Participants have the opportunity to experience a stretch of the lake that is considered by many Big Bear locals as the prettiest portion of the lake.
"Most Big Bear visitors don't take the time to absorb the beautiful scenery Big Bear's north shore has to offer," said Tom Spiegel, race director of the Big Bear North Shore Half Marathon. "We want to give people the opportunity to experience this hidden jewel and all of its glory."
Big Bear North Shore Half Marathon has a Hawaiian Island beach theme in honor of Hawaii's Annual North Shore Marathon. Runners are encouraged to wear Hawaiian shirts, board shorts, grass skirts and flower leis. Each finisher of the half marathon, 10k and 5k will be given a Hawaiian-style lei with a special finisher medal attached to it. The finisher medal is shaped like a surfboard that has a bottle opener on the back to keep in tune with the Hawaiian Island theme. At the finish line participants are treated to a complimentary Hawaiian smoothie. A plaque will be given to the fastest male and female to finish the half marathon. The first place winners of each age group in the half marathon for both males and females will receive a custom Hawaiian shirt with embroidered lettering that reads North Shore Big Bear Marathon Age Group Winner.
"We want to create something similar to Hawaii's North Shore Marathon, hence the Hawaiian theme. We figure now it's time to showcase Big Bear's north shore's ideal running conditions," added Spiegel.
Each race offers an out and back course. The races start in Big Bear Lake at 140 Business Center Drive behind the Interlocken Shopping Center. Runners then head east to Stanfield Cutoff where they cross over to get to North Shore Drive. At North Shore Drive racers go west toward Fawnskin where the course opens up to picturesque scenery of a pristine mountain lake, lush green meadows, and beautiful mountain vistas. The half marathon will meander through the town of Fawnskin with a turnaround point just past Windy Point Inn Lakefront Bed & Breakfast. There are 11 aid stations along the route. The turnaround point for the 10k is at Holcomb Valley Road, and the 5k runners will turn back just beyond The Carol Morrison East Launch Ramp.
Another interesting twist to the Big Bear North Shore Half Marathon is two-person teams can sign up to run a relay version of the race. Each runner on the two-person team will run half of the half marathon. The uniqueness of this relay is that one team member will be transported to the half marathon turn around point by pontoon boat. After the relay exchange, the running partner will board the pontoon boat and meet his or her teammate at the finish line. The three categories for the relay race are men, women and co-ed. Prizes are awarded just like the half marathon. The relay portion of the half marathon is limited to a total of eighty teams.
The Big Bear North Shore Half Marathon, 10k and 5k run is Saturday, September 27.Registration is Friday, September 26 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Nottinghams Restaurant,40797 Big Bear Blvd. Same day registration is Saturday, September 27 from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the start/finish area, 140 Business Center Drive. The opening ceremonies are set to begin at 8:45 a.m., followed by a charity run that includes a runner who will attempt to run the half marathon blindfolded to help raise funds for the blind. The half marathon starts at 9 a.m.The 10k follows next at 9:05 a.m. The 5k begins at 9:10 a.m. All three races start and finish at 140 Business Center Drive, which is behind Interlocken Shopping Center. For more details about Big Bear North Shore Half Marathon or to register in advance visitwww.bigbearnorthshorehalfmarathon.com.
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