Dole Great Race adds a half marathon

Event producers of the 24th Dole Great Race of Agoura Hills announce the addition of the Pacific Half Marathon to the March 28 race to complement the Chesebro Half Marathon, a popular trail course that sells out each year.

Participants in the new Road Runner Sports Pacific Half Marathon will start at Paramount Ranch and continue onto Cornell Road and Mulholland Highway, passing by Peter Strauss Ranch and Malibou Lake, then travel north through Old Agoura and finish in Chumash Park in Agoura Hills for the after-run party.

The new race will join five other events being offered. An estimated 7,000 participants from more than 250 cities in 25 different states will take part.

Other races include the Old Agoura 10K, recognized by Runner's World magazine as one of the top 10Ks in the country; the Deena Kastor 5K, named for the Olympian marathon medalist who grew up in Agoura Hills, and the Kids Mile, one of the largest youth runs in California.

The after-run party in Chumash park will have live music, more than 50 vendor booths dedicated to sports and fitness, giant inflatables, giveaways and major prize awards. Dole and other local food vendors will offer a buffet of pancakes, fruits, pizza, burritos and other food.

The race supports education in Agoura Hills and Oak Park by donating more than $1 million to elementary schools and high school athletic programs and also raising fitness awareness.