Posted: November 26, 2005

Athletics: Southern California Half Marathon Triple Crown Announced

SAN DIEGO - A trio of scenic Southern California half-marathons have formed an alliance to create a Half Marathon Triple Crown award to honor participants who finish all three half-marathons in the same calendar year, race officials have announced.

The 13.1-mile threesome includes the Carlsbad Half Marathon, the La Jolla Half Marathon and the America's Finest City Half Marathon. Finishers of the 2006 Half Marathon Triple Crown will receive a commemorative medal and be recognized on race websites as winners of the "Half Marathon Triple Crown - 39.3 Miles of Paradise."

In addition, the fastest three cumulative times amongst the Half Marathon Triple Crown finishers in both the men's and women's categories will be awarded complimentary entries into the 2007 events.

"The Half Marathon Triple Crown is a fun opportunity to recognize the dedicated half-marathoners who enter our races," said Lynn Flanagan, race director of the Carlsbad Half Marathon. "Plus, the three races are held in winter, spring and summer which will allow participants the time to train and recover adequately from all three events."

All of the half-marathons are known for their spectacular scenery. The Carlsbad Half Marathon, scheduled for January 15, 2006, boasts an ocean-front course in Carlsbad, 30 miles north of San Diego. The La Jolla Half Marathon, scheduled for April 23, 2006, features a point-to-point course stretching from the quaint seaside village of Del Mar to La Jolla, "the jewel by the sea." The America's Finest City Half Marathon (AFC), scheduled for August 20, 2006, runs from the historic Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma, then along the San Diego Bay before winding thru downtown San Diego and finishing in beautiful Balboa Park.

For more information on the Carlsbad Marathon and Half Marathon, visit CarlsbadMarathon.com or call (760) 692-2900. For more information on the La Jolla Half Marathon, visit .LaJollaHalfMarathon.com. For more information on the America's Finest City Half Marathon, visit AFCHalf.com or call (760) 692-2900.

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.runningusa.org.