PLATINUM SPONSOR

  

Our November Half Marathon on Monterey Bay was once more a huge success! The predicted inclement weather never materialized, and race conditions were near perfect. The elite race lived up to the promised close finish and we congratulate winners Sisay Ezkysas and Magdalena Boulet!  The inaugural Pacific Grove LIghthouse 5K featured a near sell-out crowd with praises for the new scenic and fast course.  A big thanks to our sponsor Rabobank and to the city of Pacific Grove.

With the Mud Run only 2 months away and the April marathon events in 3 months, we are working hard to ensure the success of these events as well.  We are happy to be returning to our traditional point-to-point Big Sur to Carmel course for the marathon and are in the process of fine tuning the logistics.

Recent Runner's World Survey

The December issue of Runner's World magazine included an interesting survey of their readers.  The destination marathon of choice was none other than the Big Sur International Marathon at 25%, and we even beat the Paris Marathon!  The favorite shoe brand was our sponsor ASICS at 42%.  And we especially liked the statistic that 99% of respondents intend to "run for a lifetime."

Big Sur's Mud Run

Registration for the 7th annual Big Sur Mud Run is now open and the event is about 65% full!  We've expanded the field to 3,000...1,500 individual runners and 300 5-person teams.  The day to get "down and dirty" will be Saturday, March 24.  The approximate 5-mile course features walls, obstacles, drill sargeants, dirt, sand, water, and four mud pits.  To learn more and register, click HERE.

Ben Balester is a business man, Ironman triathlete and a volunteer with no limits when it comes to giving back to his community.  Ben has volunteered in a number of areas since moving to the Monterey Peninsula in 2000.  He has served as our volunteer Relay Director since 2003, and has also given time to Alliance on Aging, Toastmasters International Monterey, the Wharf Association and our own JUST RUN program.  His greatest efforts have been with Dorothy's Place in Salinas, CA.

JUST RUN Update

DOLE Introduces Two New Frozen Products

DOLE's new Mixed Berry Smoothie Shakers provide an easy, nutritious way to enjoy a great tasting, real fruit smoothie any time of day. Just add your favorite juice and shake -- no blender needed! Mixed Berry Smoothie Shakers, made with all natural fruit and real yogurt, contain Pre & Probiotics (live and active cultures), are a good source of calcium, and are nutritionally fortified with an extra boost of protein. Each 11 oz serving (prepared with 7oz of Juice) is under 200 calories, low in fat and trans fat-free.     

Now you can enjoy blueberries wherever and whenever you want. Try the new DOLE Blueberry Frozen Fruit Single-serve Cups, with the Nature Lock guarantee of fresh fruit taste, texture and nutrition. Each 3oz cup contains a full serving of all-natural unsweetened fruit with no added sugars or preservatives, and only 50 calories. Enjoy DOLE Blueberry Frozen Fruit Single-serve Cups at home, in the office or on-the-go.  They are a perfect quick snack for the entire family. 

Look for these delicious new DOLE offerings in the frozen aisle!

Peanut Butter: GU's most requested, and soon-to-be most popular flavor has arrived

GU provides athletes with a shot of 100 calories in the form of a patented carbohydrate blend (70-80% maltodextrin and 20-30% fructose) to deliver high-quality, easily-digested and long-lasting energy for athletes in every sport and at all levels. GU also includes electrolytes to ensure proper hydration, an antioxidant blend to stave off muscle tissue damage and an amino acid blend to delay muscle fatigue. Everything inside each packet of GU is engineered to do one simple thing: provide your body with the essential requirements it needs to keep going for miles and miles and hours and hours. It goes down easy, and it goes to work fast so you don't have to slow down.