Bastille Day 5k Race Re-dedicated to Support Cynthia Holcomb Magic Shoe Foundation
ORANGE COUNTY, CA – (July 25th, 2008) Close to 1,000 runners of all ages and ability level came together in Irvine,CA for a good cause on Sunday, July 20th to participate in what is becoming one of the fastest 5k races in the State. Formerly the Bastille Day 5k Race, The Magic Shoe 5000 was rededicated this year to celebrate the life of former runner, Cynthia Holcomb and the Foundation she helped to develop with well known running coach and Event Race Director, Bill Sumner. Participants ranged from Irvine’s Olympic bound, Julie Swail, 2007 OC Marathon winner, Christian Hesch, national master’s record holder Ceci St. Geme to 81 year old Bob Koch. They all joined an elite field and Orange County’s vibrant running community including many Corona del Mar High School running standouts and alumni teams to reunite in the spirit of competition.
Event participants were encouraged to bring a pair of gently worn running shoes of any size to the registration table on race-day so organizers could clean and refurbish them before passing the shoes on to needy kids in the local area so they can start or continue their running careers. Close to 700 pairs of running shoes were donated to the Magic Shoe Foundation through the event with many outstanding performances.
Elite Men’s Field Lead By Edward Muge
One male athlete, Edward Muge, Santa Fe (Bib #2) sprinted to the finish line well in front of the pack to lead the men’s elite field with an amazing 13:55 finish time, while Macdonard Ondara, Santa Fe (Bib #3) finished in second with a time of 14:19. 2007 OC Marathon winner, Christian Hesch, Morro Bay (Bib #4) rounded out the prestigious competitive men’s field with a third place finish of 14:24.
Rotich wins women’s race with olympic bound swail taking second
Among the elite women’s field leading the race, Caroline Rotich, Santa Fe (Bib #14) broke the tape in 16:19. Finishing in second place with a time of 17:03 was Irvine’s Julie Swail (Bib #20) who used the race as a training run before leaving for Beijing to compete in the triathlon next week. Third place went to Iryna Vashchuk, Los Angeles (Bib #16) with a time of 17:12.
Making A Difference...Over 4000 Pairs Of “Magic Shoes” Donated In 2007
On October 13th, 2003, runner Cynthia Holcomb passed away suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 48. She was more than special, she was angelic, and touched the lives of many people - especially children. One of Cynthia’s projects was helping start the Magic Shoe Foundation, a program involving Corona del Mar High School Cross Country and Track Coach, Bill Sumner and a group of his students. Together, they would collect used running shoes. After cleaning and refurbishing them they would pass the shoes on to needy kids in the local area so they could start or continue their running careers. “Since running was such a large part of Cynthia Holcomb’s life, I decided to rededicate the Bastille Day 5K Run to the Magic Shoe Foundation in her honor. It would please her to no end to have thousands of runners celebrating her special life with a run,” said Event Race Director and Coach, Bill Sumner.
Proceeds from the Magic Shoe 5000 go to support inner-city youth programs and the Cynthia Holcomb Magic Shoe Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that has supplied running shoes and equipment for kids for over 25 years. In 2007, the foundation was able to supply over 4,000 pairs of shoes to local children.
For more information on The Magic Shoe 5000, or, the Cynthia Holcomb Magic Shoe Foundation, contact the Cal Coast Track Club office at: (714) 668-1600. Email: info@calcoasttrack.com or visit: www.magishoe500.com.
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