Kia America Returns as Official Automotive Partner of the 2025 Hoag OC Marathon Running Festival

April 29, 2025

• The 2025 Kia EV9 and EV6 are the first electric vehicles assembled in the state of Georgia • More than 25,000 Runners Expected for Hoag OC Marathon weekend on May 2-4, 2025

 ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (April 29, 2025) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/  – The Hoag OC Marathon Running Festival announced today that Kia America will return as the Official Automotive Partner for the 2025 race weekend, set for May 2–4, 2025. This marks the fourth consecutive year of the partnership, highlighted by the 2026 Kia EV6, which will serve as the event’s official pace car.

A milestone in sustainable mobility, the EV9 is Kia’s first saleable all-electric vehicle assembled in the United States, at Kia’s West Point manufacturing facility in Georgia. In March 2025, the EV6 became the second electric vehicle built at the same plant. Both models qualify for the full $7,500 Federal Tax Credit for U.S. electric vehicle purchases.

“Kia’s partnership brings not only a shared commitment to excellence and innovation but also meaningful engagement that enhances the overall event experience,” said Gary Kutscher, Race Director of the marathon. “We are excited to collaborate on initiatives that resonate with our community of runners and spectators alike.”

The 2025 Hoag OC Marathon weekend expects more than 25,000 runners participating in a full weekend of events, including:

• The Hoag OC Marathon and Half Marathon: A net-downhill 26.2-mile tour of coastal and inland Orange County, renowned for its scenic courses that offer majestic ocean views.
• Hoag OC 5K: A family-friendly race with live music from Andy Vargas, lead singer of Santana.
• Kids Run the OC Empowered by Hoag “Final Mile”: A celebration of youth fitness.
• The Ultimate Finish Line Festival: Known as the best post-race party in the business, featuring crowd-favorite FlashBack Heart Attack.

Kia’s continued partnership underscores its growing leadership in the EV market. The EV9 has earned top industry accolades, including North American Utility Vehicle of the Year™ and 2024 MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Best EV. To support this expansion, Kia invested $200 million in the West Point facility and created approximately 200 new jobs, enabling EVs and gas-powered SUVs—like the Telluride, Sorento, and Sportage—to be assembled on the same line.

“Building the award-winning Kia EV9 in Georgia reflects our long-term commitment to U.S. innovation,” Steven Center, COO & EVP, Kia America. “We are proud that EV9 will now lead the thousands of runners that have trained so hard for this event and look forward to joining them in a celebration of their success at the finish line.”

The OC Lifestyle & Fitness Expo, free and open to the public, kicks off race weekend at the OC Fair & Event Center on Friday and Saturday. Runners and attendees will find the latest in fitness gear, nutrition products, and more.

The Hoag OC Marathon Running Festival is This event has become a destination race for participants from around the world, seeking the exceptional climate and diverse terrain of Orange County.

Over the years, the Hoag OC Marathon has helped raise more than $9 million for various charities and non-profit organizations, underlining its impact beyond the race itself. For more information or to register, please visit www.OCmarathon.com. For Kia media assets and information, visit kiamedia.com.

About Kia America

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia America continues to top automotive quality surveys. Kia is recognized as one of the TIME World’s Most Sustainable Companies of 2024. Kia serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and WNBA and offers a range of gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles sold through a network of nearly 800 dealers in the U.S., including several cars and SUVs proudly assembled in America*.

For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert

* Select trims of the 2025 all-electric EV6 and EV9 all-electric three-row SUV, Sportage (excludes HEV and PHEV models), Sorento (excludes HEV and PHEV models), and Telluride are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

About the Hoag OC Marathon Running Festival

The 21st annual Hoag OC Marathon Running Festival returns after record-breaking participation in 2024, to the seaside streets of Orange County, California the weekend of May 2 – May 4, 2025. The Hoag OC Running Festival showcases three days of events, including the Hoag Kids Run the OC “Final Mile”, the Hoag OC 5K at sunset on Saturday and Sunday’s marathon and half marathon. The race is a perfect destination event for runners, with the beaches, theme parks and near perfect weather. A free two-day OC Lifestyle & Fitness Expo at the OC Fair and Event Center kicks off race weekend, featuring fitness retailers, exhibits and interactive clinics. Over the history of the race, runners have raised more than $9 million for a variety of charities and non-profit organizations. For more information or to register for the race, visit www.OCmarathon.com.

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Contact:

Dan Cruz, 619.925.7671
Dancruz8@me.com