Jason Bruton, Race Director for International City Racing (IRC), recently kicked off the Long Beach half marathon and marathon training program, drawing over 50 runners of all levels to listen to experienced coaches talk about the benefits of the 21-week program and spark enthusiasm for the hands-on training sessions.
“We wanted to make this program a little different than others,” said Bruton, a former Long Beach State track star. “This program is designed to meet everyone’s needs. Whether you run a 10 minute mile or a seven minute mile, it will help you reach your racing goal.”
Bruton started the ICR training club a year ago merging with Orange County’s Beach Runners club and implementing more targeted training programs for racing. The IRC’s 100 plus runners meet twice a week, Tuesday’s at the Newport Dunes in Newport Beach and Saturdays at Whaley Park in Long Beach.
The former 1500 meter and 5k competitor also heads the IRC Track Club which includes hand-picked elite runners such as, USATF’s OC Marathon Road Championship Series Winner, Eulogio Rodriguez and Jimmy Grabow, Bruton’s high school running mate and top racer at the Coaster Run 5k. Bruton hopes his track club will add some healthy competition for local track clubs like Nike Club Run LA and the Fluffy Bunnies. Rodriguez has proven himself a stand-out runner. In the 2009 SCA USATF Road Running Grand Prix men’s division, Eulogio Rodriguez is the current overall leader, taking first place in all three 2009 Grand Prix races.
International City Racing, led by Olympic Gold Medalist Bob Seagren, provides race management for other events, including two of Southern California USATF’s Road Championship Series races, the Dana Point Turkey Trot and the OC Marathon. Their signature event, the Long Beach International City Bank Marathon is now in its 25th year. An estimated 18,000 plus competitors are expected to participate in the Long Beach International City Bank Marathon, Half-Marathon, Marathon Bike Tour, Run Forest Run 5k Run / Walk and Kids 1 Mile Fun Run on Sunday, October 11.
The Run Forest Run 5K is also part of the 2009 SCA USATF Road Running Grand Prix series (www.scagrandprix.org). Runners can register online for the October 11 2009 Run Forest Run 5K at:
http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1643362
And choosing the 5K event. Also, a $5 registration discount is available to current 2009 Southern California Association USATF members. Email [email protected] with your current membership number to receive the discount.
– Lily Zepeda, co-chair open athletics, long distance running
