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Bill “The Coach” Sumner Resigns as Leader of The Orange County Marathon
Newport Beach, CA – After a very successful four year stint as Executive
Race Director for The Orange County Marathon, Bill “The Coach” Sumner has
announced his resignation effective immediately. Sumner compares his decision of
moving on much to that of an elected official successfully completing a four
year term. “I came in and started this event with a great deal of passion,
vision and built a dream team. We all worked diligently to create the best
experience and accomplished a great deal. Now, I challenge new leadership and the
current Board of Directors to take the event to the next level”, says
Sumner.
He adds, “I would like to sincerely thank all of the wonderful people and
organizations who helped deliver an event which was second to none. I also
personally congratulate all of participants who took on the challenge to run the
OC Marathon. For many of them it was a life changing experience and certainly
an accomplishment they can treasure for the rest of their lives”.
Sumner, who helped father this world class event, is President of the Cal
Coast Track Club and also the beloved coach of the State and National
Championship Track and Field and Cross Country Teams at Corona del Mar High School. As
a leader in the running community for over 35 years, he has thousands of
runners across the finish line of their first marathon or half marathon.
He has deep ties that go far beyond the running community. Under his
leadership, The Avia Orange County Marathon presented by Nutrilite was born. It
quickly became a world class running event which in its first year generated
$300,000 for local children’s charities and through its pledge programs and has
grown ever since. On January 6th, 2008 close to 12,000 runners participated
in the fourth annual weekend long sporting event.
Sumner recruited his friend and running legend Bill Rodgers to become and
official spokesperson for the event and inspired an elite field of international
runners to compete annually on this fast and scenic course his team
developed. He launched the OC Marathon Kids Training Program in schools throughout
Orange County and developed an official OC Marathon Training Program as part
of his Cal Coast Running Club. The popular program helped thousands of
runners complete their goal of finishing a marathon.
For more information on the Avia Orange County Marathon presented by
Nutrilite, please visit: www.ocmarathon.com.
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