What are you doing on March 25, 2012? Wanna experience the Oakland Running Festival?
I came across the Oakland Running Festival in 09, its inaugural year and the return of a full marathon to Oakland in 25 years. Compared to other Bay Area events the distances may be the same, the runners may also be the same, but what makes the Oakland Running Festival unique is the community and fans along the course. With a 97% saying they would recommend the race to a friend (from post-race surveys) there is clearly something going on with this growing event.
When I run other events I always notice people along the course cheering on specific runners: “Go Suzy!” or “Go Team in Training!” Such signs are popular and motivating. But what I noticed the past 2 years in Oakland is that although there are similar signs, there are also members of the community that aren’t cheering on “specific” runners. Rather they are cheering on everyone. They are cheering for the city and happy to see thousands of people participating. It’s people stepping out of their homes and business and clapping, simply because they were moved to do so.
The race has sold out each year in its existence, but I’ve squared away two complimentary entries for the 2012 (Full or Half Marathon) and want to share them with you! I’m running the event again and want YOU to join me!
I’ll draw two names at random on December 15 at noon (PST). That gives you two weeks to enter. Here are several ways to throw your name in the proverbial hat:
- Follow my blog. 1 entry per person
- Follow @PavementRunner on twitter and/or “friend request” on FB. 1 entry per person — (let me know you’ve done this or already do this in the comments)
- Follow @OaklandMarathon on twitter and/or “Like” on FB. 1 entry per person — (let me know you’ve done this or already do this in the comments)
- Tweet out this contest (tagging @PavementRunner and @OaklandMarathon) and/or share on FB — tweet/share buttons at end of post. 1 entry per person — (let me know you’ve done this or already do this in the comments)
- Leave a comment below telling me “Why you think you should win the entry.” Also, if you’ve done any of the ABOVE, let me know here as well. This is the easiest way for me to keep a reliable count. 1 entry per person
The entry forms will be mailed to the winners to be filled out and returned to the Oakland Marathon. Postage and a return envelope will be provided to each winner. Travel and hotel expenses will not be provided to or from the event. The entries can be transferred PRIOR to filling out the entry form. Once the form has been mailed to the Oakland Running Festival, all information is final. Entries must be filled out and received by the Oakland Marathon prior to 1/15/2012.
I ran the Oakland half marathon last year, as my first race after moving to California! I had such a great time, and really want to run it again this year! Pick me please :)
also, I already follow your blog, follow you on twitter, and follow @OaklandMarathon :)
I should win because it would be the perfect first race back into running. I had my son (10lbs 5oz) on 11/1/11 and have missed running like crazy.
I follow you on Twitter and added you as a friend on FB. I also follow the Oakland Marathon on Twitter and Like them on FB!
I should win one of these entries because I am training for my first full marathon and the Oakland Marathon is 6 days before my birthday! I would LOVE the Oakland Marathon to be my first full marathon!
I've run the half the past 2 years, gotta love the hometown race! I follow you on twitter too.
I followed your blog and I already follow you and @oaklandmarathon on twitter! I tweeted and plan on tweeting everyday!
I signed up for this race last year at CIM, however, when race day came around I was injured (as I have been for a lot of this year – finally recovering) and had to walk the half. I LOVED the course, the crowd and everything about it and really am looking forward to coming back this year healthy. To win an entry would just be the icing on the cake!
1) I hear that the Oakland Marathon has the most beautiful, positive energy – I can't wait to run the full in March! 2) I have always trained for my races alone, and would love to invite a friend to run with me so that they can catch the race bug, too!
Okay, PR. I am now following your blog, I found you on Twitter, and I am leaving a comment. Count'em….That's, one, two, three entries!! I'm all over it! =]
Oh, and I should win because I'm famous! Ha,ha….just kiddding!
I tweeted about the give away! :)
I would love to win an Entry to the Oakland Marathon….. reason, you ask? I LOVE TO RUN!!!!!! CATHY CRISP:)
I need a vacation!
Looking forward to running my first race in Oakland! ;-)
i follow you on twitter!
i'm now following oalandrunfestival on twitter!
i tweeted about the contest!
i want to win so bad!!! i've done two big races–the philly half and the richmond full, and i really want to expand my running geography!!! ive never been to oakland, and it sounds like a friendly race–very much like richmond!
I follow you on twitter! @LiveHuzzah
I am now following Oakland marathon on twitter
I added your blog to my reader
I'm already a blog & twitter follow, & now a twitter follower of Oakland Marathon, and I should win because I am too poor to buy an entry and STILL HAVEN'T RUN A FREAKING SUB-1:40 HALF!!!
I follow your blog, of course ;)
I follow you on twitter! via @KoesterRuns
I tweeted about the race entry/giveaway via @KoesterRuns
I would be very gracious for the chance to win and cross this state off of my list. I am working on running a half in half the US states, which is obviously going to take a lot of time, training, dedication and (unfortunately) money for all the travel and RACE FEES.
Also, I am a new Mom and the chance to get away for a destination race would be a huge treat that I definitely deserve.
Crossing my fingers!
I ran the full marathon and fell in love with Oakland Running Festival in 2011. It'd be great to run it again! I should win because I'm a full-time college student who just wants the chance to prove that young blood loves running just as much as the vets out on the course! :)
I just started following you on Twitter, following Oakland Marathon, tweeted out the contest, and right now, leaving a comment! Thank you!
I follow your blog, and follow you on FB and Twitter.
I also Follow Oakland Marathon on Twitter and FB.
I have never run this race before and it would be an AWESOME 40th Birthday gift to win entry into this race!
I just tweeted about the contest and shared on FB!
I have run Oakland both times, and can't wait to run it again in 2012. We bring a group from Reno. I would love a complimentary entry! Thanks for the great contest!
I'd love to win so I can keep my running mileage up over the winter!
I follow you and @OaklandMarathon on twitter
I am a new runner–just ran my first half marathon (Nike) in October–and found that I really enjoy the challenge of running long distances! I have been trying to find a way to get a discounted Oakland Marathon entry for awhile because as an undergraduate, you have no money! And, I LOVE the Oakland Marathon because it is in my city and I love this city! I have volunteered the past two years setting up water stations and cheering on the runners or more like, "Let's go Oakland *clap clap clapclapclap*" and would really like to participate this year so I am super excited for this contest.
I have done all five of the above, except I'm following you privately, so I'm not sure if you will be able to see it.
Thanks and am definitely checking out your blog now. Running blogs have been a new hobby. :)
My very first race, after running for 5 weeks, I was trying to enter was Oakland 5k, stood in line for 2 hours and it was sold out. Would love to run this now since I've already ran three 5ks, two 10ks, and 5 half marathons since! Pick me!!
I am now following your blog.
Following you on twitter!
Following Oakland marathon festival on twitter.
First I want to say thanks for doing this! What an awesome giveaway. I think I should win this because my 2011 is ending with a divorce which won't be final until after the new year. Running is my stress relief…my zen. As a soon-to-be single mom of three daughters money will be tight and winning would give me the opportunity to find my focus again. I've been out of commission since September due to a broken ankle. I just got cleared to run and have been taking it slow but I'm so excited to get a race on the books.
Following you on Twitter, following OaklandMarathon on Twitter. Would love to run this one – I moved to San Jose in June 2011 and am loving the running weather and great races in the bay area!
I'd love to win an entry because I don't have much else to do that weekend. May as well run!
I follow your blog.
I already follow you on Twitter.
I now follow @Oaklandmarathon on Twitter.
I tweeted about the contest and mentioned you & @oaklandmarathon.
I already follow you on Twitter :)
I follow @oaklandmarathon :)
Entry Count for miveganloca:
1. I follow your blog.
2. I follow you on twitter & we're now friends on Facebook.
3. I tweeted your contest.
4. I follow @Oaklandmarathon on Twitter.
5. I'm leaving a comment on your blog about why I should win.
And-I tweeted @pavementrunner & @oaklandmarathon over the past week and a half for a total of ten times.
That equals… 15 entries for mi(veganloca)?
Why should I win you ask?
I've lived in Oakland for the past 8 years and I love this city. I really love what the Oakland Running Festival has done for our community thesde past two years. I've ran the half for the past two years and PR'd in '10. I'm going to try my best to PR in 2012 but it's going to take some dedicated work. Winning a free entry would not only be an amazing way to end 2011, but it would also make me an incredibly happy and thankful vegan:)
i follow you on twitter and Facebook!