Oakland Running Festival Coming Soon!

I am so excited about Oakland's upcoming marathon -- so excited, I ran 18 miles through the streets of Oakland on Sunday! Here's an email I got today with news about the event: The big day is getting near and the excitement is mounting as we approach race day. Registrations are coming in at a furious clip, surpassing our every expectation. The community of Oakland is starting to buzz as everyone looks forward to the end of March. New sponsors have joined our quest of making the Inaugural Oakland Running Festival an event to remember: Alameda County Medical Center will provide medical support at several spots on the course as well as at the finish line. They will be supported by American Medical Response who will provide medical transport services. See Jane Run has been named the Official Women's Running Store and Greenlayer, the Official Merchandise Provider. MGD 64 will be the presenting sponsor of the Celebration Village at the finish line, GEICO will sponsor the Pace Groups and KTCU & KICU will serve as our television media partners. Further, Kaiser Permanente, with a large office in downtown Oakland, has just signed up as a supporting sponsor. Our expo is just about sold out with chiropractors, charity groups, running stores, events and much more! We are still recruiting runners so if you know of someone looking for a Spring event, let them know that Oakland is where they will want to be! This Inaugural Event will feature top-notch premium items, cool medals, great on-course support and a fun and fan friendly finish line party for everyone to enjoy. Runners can register on our website today. Those who are unable to run on race day are encouraged to sign up to volunteer, come to the finish line celebrate with the runners or cheer from their neighborhoods along the race route. Keep the Pace, Gene Brtalik Race Director

WE PROMISE, THEY WON'T TACKLE YOU DURING THE RACE Oakland Raiders Team Up with Running Festival The Oakland Raiders, The Team of the Decades, has teamed up with the City of Oakland for the inaugural Oakland Running Festival. The Raiders will sponsor the first mile of the 26.2 marathon course and the Raiderettes, Football's Fabulous Females, will also be in attendance to cheer on runners as they cross the finish line. As an added bonus, all runners will have the opportunity to purchase a specially priced ticket package that includes the added value of being honored on the field in a pre-game ceremony prior to a 2010 Raiders home game. [...MORE]

ON COURSE NUTRITION SET FOR OAKLAND GU Energy, Powerade and Clif Bar Sign on to Support Runners The Oakland Running Festival has partnered with three great companies to provide nourishment for the runners on the course and at the finish line. As you continue your training you will want to note that the following products will be served on race day: GU Energy Gel: Simple to take, fast to digest, GU Energy Gel provides simply what you need for premium exercise fuel and none of the extras that slow you down. GU takes you where you want to go, fast. We will be offering the following flavors: Vanilla Bean, Chocolate Outrage, Strawberry Banana (no caffeine) and Jet Blackberry (double caffeine). Powerade Electrolyte System Sports Drink: When you sweat you lose key minerals- Sodium, Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium- which can be crucial to your body and hydration. As you loose hydration you can lose your ability to perform. Now you can get it all back with Powerade. Fruit Punch flavor will be served on course and at the finish line. ClifBar: Whole, all-natural, organic ingredients. Good nutrition and great taste. It's the energy bar for everyone with 23 vitamins and minerals. We will offer a variety of flavors on the course and at the finishline.

MEDAL DESIGNS RELEASED A Worthy Symbol of Your Achievement Samples of the medal designs for the Inaugural Oakland Running Festival have arrived and they look amazing! They are large in size and heavy in weight and should serve as a worthy symbol of your accomplishment on March 28. All finishers of the full marathon, half-marathon and team relay will receive one of these fabulous medals after finishing the race. Then they can wear them with pride as they celebrate with the other runners, friends and relatives at the MGD 64 post race Celebration Village, complete with live music, cold beverages, vendors, interactive games and fun for the whole family.

NOT UP FOR 26.2 OR 13.1 -- TRY THE RELAY Great Option for Friends, Families or Co-Workers If you are interested in participating in the Oakland Running Festival festivities on Sunday but 26.2 or even 13.1 miles seem daunting, consider joining with a group of friends and running the 4-Person Team Relay. The Team Relay splits the marathon course into four sections. Participants receive the same benefits as the full marathoners (with only 1/4 of the training and post-race pain). We provide transportation to and from your leg (if needed). The exchange points for the four-person team relay are listed below: Leg 1. Start to Lake Temescal Park (~ 6 miles) Leg 2. Lake Temescal Park to 580 Underpass on Champion (~5 miles) Leg 3. 580 Underpass on Champion to West Oakland BART station (~7.5 miles) Leg 4. West Oakland BART station to Finish (~7.5 miles) Legs 1 and 2 are the more difficult legs as they go through the hills and hence the reason for why they are shorter. Legs 3 and 4 are more downhill and flat, which is what makes them the longer legs. We hope you and your running posse consider running the relay or one of our other races. To learn more, VISIT THIS LINK...