Greer's OC

You can register online today to run the U.S. Bank OC Marathon, Half Marathon or Wahoo's OC 5k! Online registration closes on Wednesday, April 29 and then can register at the Allergen Health & Fitness Expo on Friday, May 1 from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 2 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa.

The challenging Full Marathon starts at 5:30 a.m. in front of the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa just south of Santa Barbara Drive. The course runs through communities of Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Santa Ana finishing off at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa.

The Half-Marathon starts at 6:15 a.m. on Newport Center Drive loop at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa and also finishes at the OC Fair and Event Center.

For those who prefer shorter and quicker races, there’s the 2015 Wahoo’s OC 5K Run/Walk. The 5K course start line is west of the marathon and half marathon finish line inside the OC Fair and Event Center. Start time is 7 a.m. at the OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa.

You can make your run mean even more by supporting a charity.You can choose your own or select one of the OC Marathon’s 22 Official Charities here.

OC Marathon Race After Party FlashBack returns to the main stage with Special 80's guests at the Ultimate Finish Line Festival. 

Prices for Full Marathon: $125; Half Marathon: $115; 5K $40.

For detailed course maps and elevation, visit the www.OCMarathon.com. Register here.

Stop by the free Allergen Health & Fitness Expo on Friday, May 1 from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 2 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for packet pick-ups, registration and info on living a healthy lifestyle.

The OC Fair & Event Center is at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa.

Training in the Zone

The Zone Training Center just opened at Mercantile West in Ladera Ranch. The state-of-the-art facility offers strength training, cardio and free weight equipment as well as access to personal trainers.

Six types of Zones, or small group training sessions, are available to meet a variety of fitness goals, from high intensity interval training (HIIT), to Zumi Zone, a 30-minute session based on the tabata training principles.

The Zone also has a traditional 60-minute workout routine that incorporates a 12-minute flexibility and cardiovascular warm-up followed by 40 minutes of functional strength exercises, ending with a cool down and stretch.

For seniors, there’s the Twilight Zone that emphasizes balance, coordination, flexibility, endurance and strength exercises. It’s designed to help build stamina and help delay the onset of osteoporosis and arthritis.

New clients start with a pre-screening and body composition analysis to find out which Zone fits their individual goals. The Zone offers a free session so that you can try out the facility and meet the personal trainers.

Open 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m, Saturday; and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.

Mercantile West at 25642 Crown Valley Parkway, Suite D-6, Ladera Ranch. 949.481.1004.