The 2013 Hermosa 24 Ultra marathon, which has raised money for the Hermosa Beach City School District since 2010, has been canceled this year due to opposition to the 100 Mile Club, founder and ultra-endurance athlete Christian Burke said in a letter online. It was originally scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. on June 29.
“Hopefully next year, we will be able to set aside our differences, focus on the greater good, be 100 percent committed as a community to what really matters, and once again host the very special 2014 Hermosa 24 Ultra marathon,” Burke wrote online.
The 100 Mile Club is a foundation dedicated to getting school children to run 100 miles over the course of a year. Burke indicated that there was a small but vocal opposition to both the club and Kara Lubin, the founder of the organization.
The event requires runners, individually or on teams of up to 10, to run the soft-sand beach for 24-hours straight. Proceeds from the event benefit the HBCSD. In 2011 local runner Patrick Sweeney broke the Guinness World Record for Greatest Distance Run On Sand during the event. He ran 87.36 miles, shattering the record of his friend Christian Burke who ran 83.04 miles the previous year.
“The interest this year has been very encouraging and signups are ahead of last year,” the letter announcing the cancellation said. “So far, it has been shaping up to be the best year ever. But, without the full support of the community and the continued dedication of the organizations that make this event so special, it is simply not possible for this year’s event to continue.”
Burke originally began the marathon as a way to close a school budget shortfall of $670,000 and avoid the inevitable teacher and program cuts. Since the inception of the event he has raised thousands of dollars for the local schools.
“Huge apologies to all that have been training their butts off,” he wrote. “I am truly sorry.”
A small group of runners still plan to run the beach starting at 8 a.m. on the day of the cancelled event.
To see the full letter, visit www.hermosa24.com. ER
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