NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Dec. 4, 2023 – In its ongoing commitment to creating a healthier community, Hoag announced today it will be the title sponsor of the 20th annual OC Marathon, now dubbed the Hoag OC Marathon. The popular Southern California running festival will welcome more than 22,000 runners during the weekend of May 3-5, 2024.
A longtime sponsor of the Hoag Classic PGA Golf Tournament and OC Soccer Club, as well as the official health care partner of the Los Angeles Chargers and most recently the World Surf League in California, Hoag’s support of the OC Marathon is a natural extension of its commitment to prevention and wellness.
“We envision a world in which people are empowered to achieve their best health, to live their best lives and do their best work. By encouraging and promoting community-level sports, fitness and activities, we are living our mission,” said Robert T. Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hoag. “We offer the world-class care that people need when they are sick. By encouraging and supporting activities that bring the whole community together, we are also putting in the ‘sweat equity’ needed to keep people well.”
Science shows that the benefits of running increase your quality and longevity of life. Benefits include a decreased risk of certain cancers, improved mental health, weight loss, boosting of brain power and lowering the risk of diabetes, to name a few.
“The recipe for lifelong health is staying physically, socially and mentally active. By getting out in the community, participating in marathons, half-marathons, surfing, cycling – whatever your passion is – you are taking control of your health,” said Jeremiah Ray, M.D. FACEP, CQSM, with Hoag’s Sports Medicine. “My goal is to help others achieve their goals whether this is running a marathon or standing up on a surfboard. Everyone has a body and uses it in ways that bring them joy, and I’m here to help make that happen.”
The Hoag OC Marathon includes a variety of additional running distances with a 5K, half-marathon, and Kids Run the OC Empowered by Hoag “Final Mile.” A two-day Health and Fitness Expo kicks off race weekend at the OC Fair & Event Center on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4. The free expo is open to the public and will feature the latest in running, health and nutrition products.
“Having a strong Orange County-based partner like Hoag as our title sponsor in invaluable to our continued success staging one of the most anticipated events in Southern California,” said Gary Kutscher, race director of the marathon. “Partnering with Hoag is a natural fit, as we share the same commitment to living a healthy and active lifestyle for all ages. We look forward to elevating the race weekend experience even more with this partnership as we prepare for our milestone 20th anniversary event.”
The three-day event that draws an international crowd of runners and running enthusiasts, boasts one of the best destination courses on the West Coast, with a terrain that showcases majestic ocean views and stunning inland vistas.
“Hoag is proud to partner with organizations like OC Marathon that promotes whole-person health. Our sponsorship is a recognition that wellness is not a sprint. It is, in fact, a marathon,” Braithwaite said.
For more information about the Hoag OC Marathon, or to register, please visit ocmarathon.com.
ABOUT HOAG
Hoag is a nonprofit, regional health care delivery system in Orange County, California. Delivering world-class, comprehensive, personalized care, Hoag consists of 1,800 top physicians, 16 urgent care facilities, 11 health & wellness centers, and two award-winning hospitals. Hoag offers a comprehensive blend of health care services that includes seven institutes providing specialized services in the following areas: cancer, digestive health, heart and vascular, neurosciences, spine, women’s health, and orthopedics through Hoag’s affiliate, Hoag Orthopedic Institute, which consists of an orthopedic hospital and four ambulatory surgical centers. Hoag is the highest ranked hospital in Orange County by U.S. News & World Report and the only OC hospital ranked in the Top 10 in California, as well as a designated Magnet® hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). For more information, visit hoag.org.
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