Malibu RACE Sets Standard for Best Charity Lounge Event Expected to Raise $50K+ for charity

Malibu, CA (October 16, 2019) — The Malibu Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk presented by Rusnak BMW returns to Malibu on Sunday, November 3, with one of the best experiences for charity runners in the endurance circuit.

Already considered one of the premier races on the West Coast is SOLD OUT for the third year in a row, the 11th annual race is adding an upgraded experience for participants who register to run in support of the event’s chosen charity, the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu.

The Charity Lounge by Bright Event Rentals will feature dedicated lounge seating, gear check, deluxe restrooms, post-race massages, and refreshments and catering sponsored by Whole Foods Market Malibu.

The lounge will also offer complimentary hydration infusions from Drip IV Therapy, an on-demand mobile IV therapy service that creates vitamin-infused blends to optimize recovery and rehydration on a cellular level.

“One of the best reasons to run the Malibu Half Marathon and 5K is to run for charity in support of the Boys and Girls Club of Malibu,” says Race Director Erica MacVittie. “To show how much we appreciate our charity runners, we’ve worked really hard to create what we believe is one of the best VIP lounge experiences found in any race in the country.”

Although the race has been supporting the club since 2015, MacVittie created the Run for Charity program in 2017 to encourage runners to actively participate in fundraising for the organization. It’s proven to be an enormously rewarding experience for both runners and the club.

In 2017, runners raised over $16,000 for the club. In 2018, the money raised nearly doubled to $30,000. MacVittie expects donations in 2019 to exceed last year’s total. Each Run for Charity registration is bringing in at least $75 in donations for the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu.

Although most people think of Malibu as the home of the rich and famous, it’s also where thousands of low-income domestic laborers work and where some send their children to attend the public schools. Kids come to the clubhouse for various reasons, whether to escape an abusive home, get help with their homework, or just to have fun and stay out of trouble.

“Despite the area’s celebrity status, many local kids don’t come from affluent backgrounds,” MacVittie says. “Therefore, the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu plays a critical role within the community by providing a safe, affordable, professionally staffed clubhouse with inspiring opportunities for kids to grow and learn.”

Since coming on as executive director in 2015, MacVittie has made it her mission to elevate the quality of the race every year. This year’s event promises to be the most organized, most premium experience yet, thanks to these key sponsors:

Rusnak BMW returns as presenting sponsor for the second year. As one of the largest BMW dealerships in the country, Rusnak BMW has been serving the community at the Thousand Oaks Auto Mall for more than 35 years. Runners will have an opportunity to see the latest and most innovative BMW dream cars and even win a BMW cruise bike.

New to the Malibu family of premium partners is New Balance Los Angeles, which is dedicated to helping athletes in their pursuit of excellence, whether that means helping professional athletes set records and win medals, or propelling everyday athletes to achieve a new PR, run their first 5K or just to live a more healthy and active lifestyle. 

Founded in 1969, Pepperdine’s Graziadio School of Business and Management is anchored in the core values of integrity and innovation, and is dedicated to shaping Best for the World leaders that drive meaningful, positive change in their global organizations and communities.

Veritas Farms owns their own farm which allows them to use sustainable farming methods to create the highest quality of clean products and position themselves as more than just CBD. Their focus on farm-to-home Full Spectrum CBD products provides consumers with the unique opportunity of engaging with natural products specifically created to help maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

To ensure a premium event experience for our participants, the Malibu Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk exclusively trusts Bright Event Rentals, a full service event rental company which never fails to provide memorable special events. They are the proud sponsors of the VIP/Charity Lounge which benefits Boys and Girls Club of Malibu supporters.

KIND Snacks is a “not-only-for-profit” company whose mission is to make the world a little kinder, one snack and one act at a time. By using high quality, nutrient-rich, whole ingredients, KIND makes doing the kind thing for your body, your taste buds and your world easy and accessible for everyone.

For more information on the Malibu Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk, and for press interviews, please contact Erica MacVittie at erica@malibumarathon.com.