The 2018 Stinger, Kia’s Highest-Performance Production Vehicle, Will Serve as the Official Pace Car
COSTA MESA, Calif., May 01, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kia Motors America returns for the second year as the Official Automotive Sponsor of the 2018 SDCCU OC Marathon and Half Marathon, with its 2018 Kia Stinger, the automotive brand’s highest-performing production vehicle, serving as official pace car. With 11,500 anticipated participants, the marathon and half marathon will be held on Sunday, May 6, 2018, as part of the 14th Annual OC Marathon Running Festival, a world-class, three-day event from May 4 to 6, 2018. The festival also features the Wahoo’s OC 5k, the Ultimate Finish Line Festival, and the OC Lifestyle and Fitness Expo.
On Saturday, May 5, the Kia Stinger will also serve as pace car for the Kids Run the OC race, sponsored by Nutrilite, at which 9,500 local children, who completed a 10 to 12-week, in-school fitness program accumulating 25.2 miles of activity, will finish their “final mile.” Kia will also have a significant presence at several key areas throughout the weekend including inside the OC Lifestyle and Fitness Expo, where attendees can discover Kia’s entire line-up of high-quality, stylish and technologically advanced vehicles. The popular Kia Soul Hamsters, Furnando and Furgie, will also return this year to greet and encourage the participating children, who are coming from more than 150 local elementary and middle schools.
Kia Motors America has an enduring tradition of fostering health and wellness of its workforce and local communities. Kia’s corporate headquarters in Irvine, California, provides its team members with an onsite gym, and runs fitness challenges to encourage them to stay active. Kia also supports several non-profit organizations, such as its partnership with the American Cancer Society with the goal of freeing the world of cancer. Kia is also the Official Vehicle and Presenting Sponsor of B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe), which offers free, hands-on defensive driver training for teens and their parents from highly skilled B.R.A.K.E.S instructors.
The Southern California Kia Dealers are proud to sponsor the OC Marathon again this year. “Kia and our dealers are dedicated to giving back to the communities we call home,” said Greg Grulikowski, Director, Regional Operations, Western Region, Kia Motors America. “The Orange County Marathon Running Festival is an extraordinary opportunity to help the community pursue a healthier lifestyle while sharing an amazing day with friends and neighbors.” Good luck to all of the runners and walkers!
The 2018 Kia Stinger – Perfect for Active Lifestyles
Designed in Frankfurt and developed on Germany’s famed Nürburgring race course, the Stinger delivers head-turning design, premium amenities and heart-pounding power at an incredibly value-packed price. Available in both rear- and all-wheel drive, the Stinger GT trim, with its twin-turbo V6, produces 365 horsepower1 and pushes the sports sedan to a top speed of 167 MPH and from 0-60 MPH in 4.7 seconds2. A strong horizontal plane across the dash presents the driver with a thick, leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters, which amplifies Stinger’s fun-to-drive spirit. Stinger cossets occupants in luxury and provides a sense of cocooned intimacy while its large sportback hatch can hold up to 40.9 cubic feet of cargo.
“With its headquarters right here in Orange County, it’s only fitting that we have one of Kia’s premium, high-performance vehicles serving as our official pace car again this year,” said Gary Kutscher, race director of the OC Marathon Running Festival. “Kia is the ideal race partner, as it is an enduring supporter of our community, and also provides its employees with the tools they need to remain active and healthy.”
Race Registration is Still Open
For more information about the race and how to register for the SDCCU Marathon and Half Marathon and the Wahoo’s OC 5k, participants can visit www.ocmarathon.com, or register at the OC Lifestyle and Fitness Expo on Friday, May 4, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., or Saturday, May 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
About the OC Marathon Running Festival
Now in its 14th year, the 2018 OC Marathon Running Festival is a world-class event featuring the SDCCU OC Marathon and Half-Marathon, the Wahoo’s OC 5k, the Kids Run the OC presented by Nutrilite, and the OC Lifestyle and Fitness Expo, all held at the Orange County Fair and Events Center in Costa Mesa, California, from May 4 to 6, 2018. The marathon and half marathon is one of the best destination courses on the West Coast with a diverse terrain, changing coastal and inland vistas, and majestic ocean views. During the weekend, more than 23,000 participants, including nearly 10,000 children, will enjoy food, music and other family-fun entertainment.
To register for the races, or for more information about how to get involved including corporate sponsorships, visit ocmarathon.com, @OCMarathon, or email info@ocmarathon.com.
1 With premium gasoline.
2 Preliminary performance estimates determined by Kia for Stinger GT rear-wheel drive using Launch Control and factory-equipped with 19-inch wheels. Stinger GTs that are factory-equipped with 18-inch wheels are limited to 130 mph top speed (e.g., installation of 19-inch wheels will not increase the top speed). Actual results may vary depending on options, driving conditions, driving habits and your vehicle's condition. Verification of these results should not be attempted. Always drive safely and obey all traffic laws.
Contact:
Erin Peacock, Peacock PR
(949) 939-1872; peacockpr@cox.net
Julie Murphy, Kia Motors America
(949) 939-7683; jmurphy@kiausa.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/13907921-fd63-40fa-81b9-03116de5af19