A new marathon planned for August will transform Ventura’s downtown into a multi-day festival and race weekend.
The Garmin Marathon is scheduled for Aug. 22 with a festival planned for Aug. 20-21, according to an Oct. 13 Ventura City Council staff report.
Garmin, a global leader in fitness technology and pioneer of the first running smartwatch, owns and produces the event as part of its Garmin Marathon Series, according to a news release.
The Ventura City Council approved a resolution Oct. 12 providing up to $50,000 in city support for the event.
"Ventura is proud to welcome runners, families and spectators to our community for this exciting event," said Ventura Mayor Jeannette Sánchez-Palacios in a statement.
What is the Garmin Marathon route?
The starting location is listed as California
and Main streets in downtown Ventura, according to the event website.
Runners will begin and finish in downtown Ventura, with the course highlighting historic architecture, local businesses, the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, said Julie Madsen, spokesperson for the tourism bureau Visit Ventura, in an email.
"We're stoked to welcome the Garmin Marathon Series to our beautiful beach town," she said, adding that communication with Garmin organizers began in January. "We're really excited to feature a downtown start and finish, creating opportunities for visitors to experience local shops, restaurants and the character of Ventura before and after the race."
Is the Ventura run a Boston Marathon qualifier?
The event will be a Boston Marathon qualifier along with a USA Track & Field-certified half marathon, 10K and 5K, Madsen said.
How much does it cost?
Registration currently costs $107 for the marathon, $91.10 for the half marathon, $64.40 for the 10K and $43.40 for the 5K, according to the race website. Prices will increase closer to the event, Madsen said.
The two-day expo, featuring Garmin products and local vendors, and the finish line festival will be open to the public, according to the news release.
What do runners get?
Participants will receive a T-shirt, finisher medal, a Garmin swag bag, and race day amenities, including food, beverages and entertainment, Madsen said.
Steve Lovell, Garmin's director of advertising and sponsorships, said on Oct. 14 that Ventura could become the series' marquee race.
"Ventura has so much charm, and we're really able to put on a race out here that not only will resonate well with the local community and surrounding community but really be a destination for so many people across the country and across the globe," he said.
Lovell said the marathon course is relatively flat and stays within Ventura, though portions extend into Oxnard.
"When you're trying to get 26 miles in, it's just a lot of real estate to cover," he said. "We want to be able to highlight the natural beauty of the area, and we want to utilize this amazing asset that you have of the ocean as much as possible."
For more information, visit: garmin.com/marathons.
Wes Woods II covers West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at wesley.woodsii@vcstar.com, 805-437-0262 or @JournoWes.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Smartwatch maker Garmin chooses Ventura for marathon. What to know
