| Running USA Wire 32, April 23, 2003 |
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U.S. Marathon Numbers Rebound from Post-9/11 Effect SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - (April 23, 2003) - With the spring marathon season in full bloom, it is time for USATF Road Running Information Center's annual marathon report on the estimated number of finishers, trends, demographics and largest marathon lists. After a slight decline in 2001 U.S. marathon finishers due to the post-9/11 effect, the marathon numbers rebounded to an estimated 450,000 finishers compared to 424,500 in 2001. More specifically, for the same 181 U.S. marathons for 2001 and 2002, there was a 5.4% increase in finishers (289,663 in 2001 compared to 305,294 in 2002). The bulk of the increase came from the largest 2002 fall marathons that were affected by 9/11: New York City (up 8,170) and Honolulu (7,241). Outside the U.S., there was similar overall growth as for the same 56 marathons, the numbers increased by 6.1% (232,804 finishers in 2001 vs. 246,923 in 2002). In the U.S., the trend of new marathons continued in 2002 as four marathons debuted with over 1,000 finishers: Washington DC (4,295 - 8th largest debut all-time), Anthem Kentucky Derby (1,067), Lakeshore, IL (1049) and Des Moines, IA (1,014). And like last year, 55 U.S. marathons reported over 1,000 finishers to the tie the 2001 record. Speaking of records, in 2002, a record 40% of U.S. marathon finishers were women. By 2002, there were one-and-a-half times more female finishers (180,000) in U.S. marathons than the total number of U.S. marathon finishers in 1980 (120,000) during the first running boom. Last year's median marathon times reflect a continued non-competitive approach to the distance. In 1995 the median men's time was 3:54:00, while by 2002 it hit 4:20:01 and for women, median times slowed from 4:15:00 to 4:56:46 for the same two years. The slower trend may be leveling off a little as illustrated by slightly faster median times in about 40% of the 2002 events compared to 2000. For the first time in history, three marathons in 2002 - London, New York City and Chicago - reported over 30,000 finishers. The Flora London Marathon kept its #1 position in the world with 32,899 finishers in 2002, while New York City regained its #1 U.S. position with 31,834 finishers edging LaSalle Bank Chicago (31,106). In 2002, the U.S. had 7 of the 15 largest marathons in the world. For more marathon statistics and data, see the tables and lists below. U.S. Marathon Growth YEAR Estimated # of Finishers DEMOGRAPHIC BREAKDOWN MEDIAN TIMES MEDIAN AGE 2002 1) Flora London, GBR 32,899 2002 1) New York City, NY 31,834 Source: USA Track & Field Road Running Information Center - www.runningusa.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Audra Hoffmeyer, (858) 450-6510; Kim Detwiller, (615) 799-5616 Champions Return to the 2003 Country Music Marathon NASHVILLE, Tenn. - (April 22, 2003) - The 2003 Country Music Marathon & 1/2 Marathon welcomes the return of two of its past champions when the race kicks off at Centennial Park in Nashville this Saturday, April 26. The event, in its fourth year, features an elite field of runners highlighted by Kenya's Luke Kibet and Romania's Aurica Buia. Kibet, 29, won the inaugural Country Music Marathon in 2000, in a time of 2:12:55, just ahead of countrymen Elias Chelanga (2:13:05) and Sammy Maritem (2:13:38). Kibet, who owns a marathon best of 2:10:18, finished second in 2001. Buia, 33, is a two-time Country Music Marathon champion, having won the race in 2001 and 2002. She earned the 2001 crown handily, posting a time of 2:34.40, ahead of Russia's Ramilia Burangulova, who crossed in 2:36:08. In 2002, Buia ran a 2:35:58 en route to the title. She owns a personal best of 2:31:39 in the marathon. Both the men's and women's elite fields will battle for a prize purse that exceeds $80,000. The champion in each field will receive $15,000 with a $10,000 bonus to the first male finisher under 2:11:00 and an additional $10,000 for breaking 2:10:00. The first woman to finish under 2:30:00 also receives a $10,000 bonus with an additional $10,000 on the line for breaking 2:29:00. The elite fields, with 14 men and nine women, feature participants from Kenya, Russia and Venezuela, among others. Four men will be making their marathon debut. The 26.2-mile marathon and 13.1-mile 1/2 marathon follows the same route as it did in 2002, starting at West End Avenue near Centennial Park, winding its way in and out of the downtown area and finishing at The Coliseum. In addition, the successful Country Music Kids' Marathon returns for it's third year. The day will be capped off by an evening concert featuring Rebecca Lynn Howard and Diamond Rio at the Gaylord Entertainment Center. Visit the race website at: http://www.cmmarathon.com ELITE FIELDS (as of 4/18/03) MEN WOMEN * This is a preliminary list of elite athletes. An updated list with athlete biographies will be available at the Elite Athlete Media Briefing on Thursday, April 25, 2:00pm at the Fitness & Music Expo (Nashville Convention Center).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Edward Parham Rueckert Advertising & PR, (518) 446-1091/ George Regan, Freihofer's Run for Women, (518) 273-5552 x 205 25th EDITION OF FREIHOFER'S RUN FOR WOMEN SET FOR MAY 31 ALBANY, N.Y. - (April 22, 2003) - The silver anniversary of the Freihofer's Run for Women promises to be a shining example of the best in women's long distance running Saturday, May 31 when seasoned Olympians once again join more than 3,500 recreational runners in downtown Albany, New York. With an estimated crowd of 20,000 spectators on hand, the event will feature three 5K races rolled into one breathtaking start - the USA Women's 5K Championship, the USA Masters 5K Championship and 5K Fitness Run. All races will be run concurrently at 10:15 a.m. on Madison Avenue next to the New York State Museum. The entry fee is $20 before April 30, $25 before May 29 and $30 before May 30. There will be no day of race registration. Preceding the main event, CapitalCare Medical Group - an independent, multi-specialty physician practice offering primary care services in family medicine, pediatrics and internal medicine - will sponsor the CapitalCare Health & Fitness Expo at the Empire State Plaza Concourse level. The expo, which will run from Friday, May 30 at noon through Saturday, May 31 at 3 p.m., will feature health screening services, health and fitness seminars and health-related literature, all geared towards today's active, healthy women and their families. "Freihofer's introduced the Run for Women 24 years ago as a way to reward its customers for their loyalty," said Run for Women Race Director George Regan. "Our 25th celebration of this event will be a truly special event with a myriad of events and activities lined up for the whole family." All age groups will enjoy the festivities slated race day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Outdoor Plaza level, Empire State Plaza. Among the featured family attractions will be live music, food, great rides, games, clowns, face painters and magicians. Heating up the pavement before the 5K National Championship and Fitness Run will be the 15th annual Freihofer's Community Walk - a fundraiser that brings in more than $65,000 for 80 local non-profit organizations. The Community Walk consists of a two-mile loop that begins on Madison Avenue at the Plaza and circles around Washington Park. Check-in for the Community Walk begins at 7 a.m. on the west side of the NYS Museum (south concourse if inclement weather) and will be followed by a walkers' aerobic warm-up at 7:30 a.m. before the walk kicks off at 8 a.m. There is no entry fee to participate. The first 1,500 walkers to check-in that morning will receive a free T-shirt compliments of Freihofer's and Price Chopper. Concluding the day's festivities will be the 16th annual Freihofer's Kids' Run - the third largest of its kind in the nation. Held from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the Outdoor Plaza level, Empire State Plaza, the free event is open to children ages three through 13. Races will take place in small groups to provide for the safety of all runners. While supplies last participants will also receive a coupon to the Great Escape plus a free T-shirt. Parking for all three events will be available at the East Garage located on the corner of Eagle Street and Madison Avenue. Access from I-787 is via the Plaza Exit, then follow signs to East Garage parking. Additional parking Friday after 2 p.m. and all day Saturday is also available in the Empire State Plaza Underground Lot V (formerly P3 North) for a $2.00/vehicle fee. A photo ID is required for access to Lot V. Participants for the Freihofer's Run for Women, Freihofer's Kids' Run and Freihofer's Community Walk can pick up a registration form at any Capital Region Price Chopper store, or by going to freihofersrun.com. Additional information on all three events is also available by calling (518) 273-5552, or via e-mail at info@freihofersrun.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TWIN CITIES MARATHON ANNOUNCES 2003 PRIZE STRUCTURE - $176,000 up for grabs MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - (April 21, 2003) - When the starting gun fires in Minneapolis for the 22nd annual Twin Cities Marathon (TCM) on October 5, a $176,000 prize purse will be up for grabs, TCM officials are proud to announce. And, when the men's and women's 2003 TCM Champions cross the finish line in St. Paul a short time later, two $20,000 first-place checks will be waiting for them. In addition, masters runners - always a feature of TCM - will compete for $37,500 worth of prizes, the $4,000 masters winners' awards and the $3000 USA Masters Champions' awards. "We are excited to once again provide an aggressive incentive program that will attract top athletes from around the world," says Dan Finanger, TCM Executive Director. "These athletes help add so much to our sport and make this event so special." Runners of any age will be eligible for the $108,200 Open Division purse - $54,100, each, for men and women. After the $20,000 designated for the race winners, second place will garner $12,000, and third place will win $6000. Open division prizes of at least $1000 will be paid to tenth place. (See complete details below.) U.S. runners, who graced TCM with their presence in large number in 2002 when TCM hosted the USA Marathon Championship, will compete for a total of $16,000 in prize and bonus money specially designated for U.S. runners. The top male and female U.S. citizens at TCM will earn $2500 and be eligible for a $1000 bonus if they achieve the Olympic "B" Standard of 2:14:50 (men) or 2:36:00 (women). The second and third place Americans will earn $1500 and $1000, respectively, and be eligible for the same performance bonus. U.S. runners will also be eligible for any Open Division prize money they earn. For the 12th consecutive year, TCM will host the USA Master Championship. This year, $12,000 will be available exclusively to USA Masters Championship competitors. Along with the USA Masters Champions' $3000 payday, the runners-up will earn $2000 and the 3rd place finishers will gather $1000. USA Masters Championship athletes will compete across age groups for age-graded money totaling $4500, based on times adjusted for age by a mathematical formula. The USA Masters Championship is hosted by TCM under the auspices of USA Track & Field. USA Masters Championship athletes are also eligible to dip into the overall master purse of $21,000. The top masters runners (men and women) of any nationality will earn $4000, runners-up will earn $3000, while third place will get $2000, fourth place $1000, and fifth $500. Masters runners who place in the top-10 overall all will be eligible for Open prizes as well. Wheelchair athletes will compete for a total prize purse of $7500. Able-bodied Minnesota residents will compete for winners' prizes of $500 and a purse of $2600. Age-group winners will win $300 each from a total purse of $4200. The 2003 Twin Cities Marathon weekend is October 3-5. The three-day weekend celebration of fitness includes a 5K fun run/walk, children's fun runs, pasta dinner, two-day health and fitness expo and a 10-mile race in addition to the marathon. Twin Cities Marathon, a Running USA Founding Member, continues its 12th consecutive year as the designated USATF National Masters Championship for men and women. Major corporate sponsors for the marathon are Cub Foods and Seagate Technology. The major media sponsors are KARE 11 and Cities 97. Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. is a non-profit organization that directs the TCM weekend as a community service for the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Visit us at www.twincitiesmarathon.org. Contact: Dan Finanger, Executive Director, (763) 287-3888, Ext. 12 Jackie Liu, Media & Public Relations Manager, (763) 287-3888, Ext. 13 Twin Cities Marathon Prize Structure OPEN DIVISION, MALE & FEMALE OPEN USA, MALE & FEMALE MASTERS OVERALL, MALE & FEMALE USATF MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP, MALE & FEMALE USATF MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP AGE GRADED, MALE & FEMALE MASTERS AGE GROUP, M & F (40-44, 45-49,
50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-OVER) OPEN MINNESOTA RESIDENTS, MALE & FEMALE WHEELCHAIR DIVISION, MALE & FEMALE Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services http://www.runningusa.org
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