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

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."

GULF SHORES and ORANGE BEACH, Ala., Nov. 7, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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 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."

Get Involved

Registration may be completed online at www.team-magic.com until November 22. Registration fees are $75 for the half-marathon, $35 for the 5K and $20 for the one-mile.

In addition, individuals wishing to volunteer their time and talents for this event may register online at www.team-magic.com. Volunteers are needed on Friday and Saturday for a variety of duties and varying times.

For information on these or other athletic events on Alabama's Gulf Coast, please visit www.gulfshoresorangebeachsports.com, or call 1-800-745-SAND.

Photo caption: More than 600 athletes, such as this gentleman from the 2010 race, are expected to compete in the upcoming Kaiser Coastal Half-Marathon, 5k and 1 mile run on Saturday, November 26.
Photo credit: Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission

Media Contact:

Kim Chapman
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
kchapman@gulfshores.com
1-800-745-SAND
251-974-4625 (direct)
251-752-8448 (cell)

Justin Saia
BP America
justin.saia@bp.com
251-201-1900 x 7373

About the Organization :

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission (formerly known at the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission) is a partnership between Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism (formerly known as the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau), the Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce and the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. In 2006, this commission became a department within Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism. In this role, the commission - along with assistance from Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism – works to bring quality sporting events to Alabama's Gulf Coast. For information, please visit www.gulfshoresorangebeachsports.com.

About BP and its support of the 2012 Olympic Games :

BP is a sponsor of the 2012 Olympic Games and supports Team USA because of its alignment with the pursuit of excellence and the way in which the Olympic Movement demonstrates one's ability to overcome limitations for success. For more about BP, go to www.bp.com.

About Kaiser Realty

Since 1980, Kaiser Realty, Inc. has been renting, managing and representing the top Gulf Shores and Orange Beach vacation rental properties. Offering our guests over 500 of the Gulf Coast's most unique and well appointed Gulf front vacation homes and condominiums, we have been making dreams a reality for more than 30 years. "Whether it's for a vacation or a lifetime, our family is committed to yours."

For more information and to browse through our selection of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach vacation properties, please visit www.KaiserRealty.com">www.KaiserRealty.com , call us at (800) 225-4853 or reach us by email at Rentals@KaiserRealty.com.  

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