BP Showcases Gulf Seafood and Olympic Sponsorship at Annual Half-Marathon in Coastal Alabama

GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH, AL – Shed those extra pounds from Thanksgiving dinner by participating in the Kaiser Coastal Half-Marathon, 5k and 1 mile run on Saturday, November 26.

The half-marathon, organized by the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission and Team-Magic, attracts hundreds of avid competitors from across the Southeast and Midwest each year.
U.S. Olympic Bronze Medalist Deena Kastor and U.S. Olympic Bronze Medalist Johnny Gray will headline the fourth annual event. BP is a proud supporter of Team USA and serves as a corporate sponsor of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

“As a sponsor of the London 2012 Olympic Games, we have been presented with an opportunity to bring world-class athletes to Coastal Alabama to share their amazing stories,” said Ayana McIntosh-Lee, BP General Manager of External Relations. “These athletes serve as an important reminder to the community about the incredible things individuals can achieve when they strive for greatness.”

Kastor is an American long-distance runner, who holds numerous American records in the marathon and half-marathon. She won the bronze medal in the women’s marathon at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. Gray was an American 800 m runner. He won the bronze medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.

Gray and Kastor will make appearances at the start of the race and at the post-race party and awards ceremony at the Orange Beach Sportsplex.

The post-race party will showcase an array of Gulf seafood, provided by BP. The seafood brunch menu includes, crab & corn chowder, shrimp and grits, and mini oyster po-boys.

The public is invited to hear these prestigious athletes speak on Friday, November 25 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Orange Beach Event Center at the Wharf. There is no cost for attending the speaking engagement.

“The value of sporting events such as this half-marathon is huge for our tourism-based economy, especially in non-peak times of the year,” said Beth Gendler, vice president of sales for the sports commission. “To have BP’s addition of the Olympic athletes and the seafood at the post-race party ensures that our event has an even larger impact on the area.”

About the Race
Showcasing a unique course with a mixture of backcountry paved trails and roads navigating through the Gulf State Park and along the area’s sugar-white beachfront, this event features a distance for every member of the family. Also, the half-marathon was recently designated as the 2011 Alabama RRCA Half-Marathon State Championship and boasts a scenic USATF certified course.

The race also showcases over $5,000 in prizes and prizes to be awarded for the top three male and female finishers in the following categories: overall, masters overall (40+), grand masters (50+) and age groups (in five year intervals ranging from 15 to 80-plus). Every participant who successfully completes the half marathon will receive a commemorative finisher medal and mug. Meanwhile, numerous door prizes will be given away throughout the race, including the chance to win a special vacation getaway package.

Entering its fourth year, the popularity of this event has grown tremendously.

“When we first began this event with Team Magic and our title sponsor Kaiser Realty, we had 304 participants,” Gendler said. “Thanks to the constant support of Kaiser Realty, our modest event has grown to one that is widely recognized in the athletic circles. We expect to welcome about 600 to 700 competitors this year.”

Media Contact:
Kim Chapman
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
1-800-745-SAND
251-974-4625 (direct)

News Archive