The Mega

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Mega poster
Mega start by WantPhotography.com

The Mega, also known as Megacolossus or Mega Colossus or Mega Colossus Lifeguard Endurance Race, is a Huntington State Beach Lifeguards Association-sponsored endurance contest in the sand and offshore waters of the Pacific Ocean in mid-July of each year. The Mega consists of 5 beach runs totaling 8.5 miles (13.7 km) and 4 ocean swims totaling 4000 yards (3.65 km). It is an informal event with two aid stations on the course. There are no entry fees, no awards, no wetsuits, no fins, no shoes. It is open to both municipal and state lifeguards and organized by John Rodgers.

Origin

The lifeguards who first started this said it was 'a gathering of friends to celebrate life.'

Course

The eight-mile running course of the Mega starts at the mouth of the Santa Ana River at the Huntington State Beach and goes north to Warner Avenue, ending at the northern end of Bolsa Chica State Beach. Interspersed are four ocean swims to offshore buoy markers, including one swim around the 565-meter-long Huntington Beach Municipal Pier.

"The hard thing is the transitions," said former event organizer and local lifeguard Steve Hawkins. "There's the problem of transitioning from running to swimming and then running again. It's definitely an endurance event. You not only have to be a good swimmer, but you also have to be an incredible runner."

Record

The Mega record is held by Los Angeles County lifeguard Marc Rinzler, a former California State University Bakersfield swimmer, set in 2000 in 1 hour 28 minutes 45 seconds.

Video

2014 Mega

2014 Mega Top Results

1. Misha Romanenko 17 Huntington Beach City 1:31:01
2. Nick Sullivan 27 Huntington Beach City 1:31:28
3. Brian Meyer 38 Long Beach 1:34:59
4. Ian Mikelson 34 Long Beach Lifeguards 1:37:06
5. Wadley 34 Los Angeles County 1:37:27
23. Ally McCormick 19 Laguna Beach 1:50:00 - top woman

2012 Mega Top Results

1. Nick Sullivan 26 Huntington Beach City 1:39:18
2. Misha Romanenko 16 Huntington Beach 1:38:15
3. Ryan McDonald 21 Seal Beach, 1:39:15
12. Taylor Spivey 21 Manhattan Beach - top woman

2011 Mega Top 5 Results

1. Nick Sullivan 25 Huntington Beach City 1:39:18
2. Marc Rinzler 40 Los Angeles County 1:41:00
3. Ross Sinclair 26 Newport City 1:42:13
4. Brian Meyer 35 Huntington Beach City 1:43:23
5. Misha Romanenko 15 Huntington Beach City Junior Guards 1:44:31

2010 Mega Top 5 Results

1. Nick Sullivan 24 Huntington Beach City 1:38:02
2. Scott DeBoer 40 LA. CO. 1:40:30
3. Adam Arambula 21 Huntington Beach City 1:40:49
4. Eric Steele 21 Seal Beach City 1:46:20
5. Travis King 23 Huntington State 1:46:38

2009 Mega Top 5 Results

1. Nick Sullivan 23 HB City 1:37:22
2. Wadley Wad 29 Unattached 1:37:54
3. Scott Wagner 40 Oceanside 1:40:30
4. Scott DeBoer 39 LA. CO. 1:42:00
5. Eric Steele 20 Seal Beach City 1:43:05

2008 Mega Top 5 Results

1. Scott DeBoer 38 LA. CO. 1:34:20
2. Marc Rinzler 37 LA. CO. 1:35:03
3. Keith Meter 37 Long Beach City 1:35:57
4. Ross Sinclair 23 Newport City 1:36:47
5. Thorsten Hegberg 39 Newport City 1:37:11

2007 Mega Top 5 Results

1. Scott Deboer 37 LA. CO 1:30:20
2. Marc Rinzler 36 LA. CO 1:31:48
3. Alex Swanson 16 Laguna Beach 1:35:27
4. Nick Sullivan 21 Huntington City 1:37:15
5. Ben Carlson 25 Newport City 1:39:50

2006 Mega Top 5 Results

1. Schuyler Kirby 28 HSB 1:37:46 36
2. Erik Burgin 31 San Diego 1:38:43
3. Nick Sullivan 20 HB City 1:40:11
4. Bobby Eastman 23 HSB 1:40:42
5. Mike Sullivan 23 Unattached 1:42:07

External links

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