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Kestner, Stewart Win Nationwide Better
Health Columbus Marathon COLUMBUS, Ohio - (October 21, 2007) - Robb Kestner gave folks in his hometown another reason to talk about him. Kestner took the lead for good at the 24-mile mark and won Sunday's 28th Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon in 2 hours, 31 minutes and 48 seconds. His win marked the first time a central Ohio resident claimed the Columbus Marathon title. The 32-year old resides in West Jefferson, Ohio, about 15 miles west of Columbus. "What's funny about being from West Jeff is that I'm the only one that runs out there," Kestner said. "All my neighbors think I'm nuts." Only Jim Jurcevich previously had placed higher for a Columbus-area native. Jurcevich finished runner-up in 2002-03. "More people will be talking about how our high school football team is 9-0 and for good reason," Kestner said. "But this is really nice to win it in Columbus." Kestner led an Ohio-dominated top 10. Chuck Engle of nearby Dublin, Ohio finished second in 2:33:41 as nine of the top 10 finishers were residents of the Buckeye State. A crowd of tens of thousands of spectators was treated to a record field of 10,000 participants. For the first time ever in race history, there was no race weekend registration as all spots were filled in the week leading up to the event. A pair of women from neighboring states dominated the women's field as both qualified for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Boston next April. Kelly Stewart of Rochester Hills, Mich. won the women's division in 2:43:28 in just her third-ever marathon. Jessica Gall, 23, of Bloomington, Ind. followed closely behind at 2:44:38. Stewart, 26, credited the course's flat terrain for her time. "I actually feel halfway decent right now," Stewart said a moment after her win. "Compared to Boston and Chicago, this is paradise." Columbus' Melinda Keesee, 22, led the Ohio delegation with her third place (2:51:33). Ohio road race veteran Thomas "T.J." Lentz, 40, led all runners after five miles and the Cincinnati native cruised to the Nationwide Better Health Columbus ½ Marathon title in a course record time of 1:09:32. Jill Scully, 24, of Valparaiso, Ind. also broke the Columbus record in the women's half-marathon. She crossed the finish line at 1:20:27. Sunshine and a start-time temperature in the low 50s greeted the capacity field. The 29th Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon and ½ Marathon will take place Sunday, October 19, 2008. The Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon is one of the 25 largest marathons in the United States. 28th Nationwide Better
Health Columbus Marathon MEN WOMEN 2nd Nationwide Better
Health Half-Marathon WOMEN Full results at: ColumbusMarathon.com |
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Return to top / Return to main page Mayor, City Council Welcome 44th Mardi
Gras Marathon NEW ORLEANS - (October 19, 2007) - The city of New Orleans is welcoming back, for its 44th year, a great New Orleans tradition: The New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon which hits the streets Sunday, February 24, 2008. "We have watched as the Mardi Gras Marathon has grown over the years," said Mayor C. Ray Nagin. "As it has grown, the city has welcomed more and more visitors. That is important to us always, and especially in this time of recovery and rebuilding." When Councilmember Arnie Fielkow heard the race was being wooed by a nearby city, he reacted quickly and called the city council together. "There was no way we were going to lose this race after so many years," said Councilman Fielkow. "The council agreed to work with the marathon and provide what was needed to keep the race here." The race will offer an exciting new course featuring the historic French Quarter, world-famous Bourbon Street, St. Charles Avenue, the beautiful Garden District and two of the finest urban parks in the country, Audubon Park and City Park. The marathon will start and finish on Sugar Bowl Drive at the Louisiana Superdome, where parking will be available inside. Start time for the marathon and half-marathon is 7:00am, with the 5K race beginning at 7:05am. To celebrate its 44th year in New Orleans, the Mardi Gras Marathon will offer an extra benefit to those who run the race. Race Director Mike Cambre has teamed up with marathon travel expert Elise Allen to offer a free customized travel service to runners registering for the race. Allen is the author of the first travel guide geared specifically for the marathon runner. "Each year, we bring more to the race," said Race Director Mike Cambre. "The travel service, the entertainment and the post-race party this year will make this our best year yet." The Personal Travel Advisor service offered by Elise Allen is an extension of what she does in her guide book, The Traveling Marathoner. That book chooses 12 top U.S. marathons, one per month of the year, and gives runners all the information they need to build a perfect trip around each race: the most convenient hotels, great carbo-load restaurants, top post-race splurge meals, the best sights for strong or sore post-race legs, top spa treatments and the best places to celebrate after the race. The Mardi Gras Marathon got the nod in her book for the best U.S. marathon in February, and to support the race, she's happy to go beyond the general recommendations of her book, and give specific, customized itinerary suggestions free to anyone entering the Mardi Gras Marathon or Half Marathon. "I'm incredibly excited to bring this one-of-a-kind service to the Mardi Gras Marathon," Elise said about the venture. "New Orleans is such a special place, and I want to help marathoners take full advantage of it, while making sure everything in their trip supports their true goal: preparing for, completing, and celebrating their marathon or half-marathon." Author Elise Allen will be working closely with the team at NewOrleansOnline.com, the city's official tourism website, to make sure she has the most up-to-date information for her itinerary suggestions. For runners wishing to stay a few extra days, Elise is offering the opportunity for runners to become voluntourists and schedule time with the St. Bernard Project, an organization dedicated to rebuilding and renovating homes in St. Bernard Parish, one of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina. For info on this project, visit: StBernardProject.org All Mardi Gras Marathon or Half Marathon registrants can find information about the Personal Travel Advisor service through the Mardi Gras Marathon website MardiGrasMarathon.com, via NewOrleansOnline.com or from Elise Allen's website TravelingMarathoner.com. The New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon began in 1965 and has grown in popularity every year since. The event is known for its entertainment along the route and for its post race party atmosphere featuring music and food. The race is an official Boston Marathon qualifier, one of the original qualifiers for over thirty years. The marathon is walker-friendly and offers a four-hour time limit for half-marathoners and seven-hour limit for the marathon. Return to top / Return to main page American Odyssey Relay Planned for Spring 2009 BETHESDA, Md. - People Burning Fat Productions has announced its latest relay run, the American Odyssey Relay Run Adventure, which will occur in the Washington D.C. area. The approximately 200-mile course will traverse Civil War battlefields and other historic locations. The event kicks off in Gettysburg, Pa. before weaving through Maryland and finishing near the Mall in Washington, D.C. "Like our other relays, the American Odyssey will be a first-class destination event that attracts visitors from around the country and the world," said Eric Lerude, president of People Burning Fat Productions. "This is our most ambitious effort to date, with an extraordinarily scenic course that showcases many attractions and historical points of interest." Bethesda-based Xtend Fitness is producing the American Odyssey in partnership with People Burning Fat Productions. Xtend President Bob Fleshner is serving as the event director. He has almost 30 years experience running and has been involved in planning numerous events in the Washington D.C. running community. "We're extremely excited to host this event, which is the first of its kind in the region. These types of races draw thousands of runners in other parts of the country, and we have all of the opportunity to rival similar world-class relay runs. I can't wait to share our great running resources with other runners," said Fleshner. The American Odyssey course will be divided into 36 legs. Teams of 12 run three legs each. It will take about 24 hours to complete the relay. Relay organizers are currently in the process of obtaining approvals and permits for the course. The event is expected to occur in the spring 2009. Event organizers are currently seeking approvals for the relay. Bob Fleshner, the event director, can be reached at (301) 706-2266 or bob@americanodysseyrelay.com People Burning Fat Productions has founded and produced two additional relay runs: the Reno-Tahoe Odyssey, which is prepping for its fourth year and will occur on June 6-7, 2008, and the recently held inaugural Arizona Odyssey. Return to top / Return to main page New Start and Finish at Centennial Olympic
Park for 2008 ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon ATLANTA - Next spring's ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon, set for Sunday, March 30, will start and finish at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta. One of the most picturesque and popular races in the country, the marathon and half-marathon will return for its second year through Atlanta's intown neighborhoods, treating runners and spectators to some of the city's most widely recognized landmarks. "The ING Georgia Marathon is another great sporting event that our state is proud to host. Placing the start / finish line at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta will be the perfect location for spectators and athletes to enjoy next year's race," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "The inaugural ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon proved to be a winning event for runners, spectators and sponsors this spring. A fresh new tradition has been established that showcases our community spirit here in Atlanta. All runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes, whether they are residents of our beautiful city or neighbors or out of town guests, should be commended for taking part in this event. I'm proud Atlanta can host thousands of people who actively reach their goals for good health," said Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, who is serious about healthy living and has established a Health and Wellness Program for city employees. "As a proud corporate citizen of Atlanta, we're honored to be sponsoring a world-class race that energizes the city and attracts thousands of participants and spectators to the state of Georgia," said Tom Waldron, ING executive vice president for human resources and brand. The new start / finish is among other changes planned for the Sunday, March 30, 2008 race. Rather than the mass start of the inaugural event for all runners and walkers, race officials plan to stage participants in groups and stagger the start by the expected finish times. Wheelchair racers in the Half Marathon will take off at 6:55am, going east on Marietta Street from Centennial Olympic Park. The staggered start for runners in the ING Georgia Marathon and Half Marathon will begin at 7:00am. All participants will end the race on the north side of the park, finishing at Centennial Olympic Park Drive and Harris Street. The park will host activities for spectators and runners all day. In addition, the race Health & Fitness Expo will be located at the Georgia World Congress Center on Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29. The Expo is where event participants pick up race packets, and all exhibits are open to the public. The Omni Hotel at CNN Center will serve as the headquarters hotel for the weekend. Pre-race ceremonies will begin on March 30 at 6:30am. The National Anthem will be performed by national recording artist and Georgia native Diana DeGarmo. A full schedule of entertainment and guest speakers for the weekend will be announced later this fall. "Centennial Olympic Park commemorates one of the greatest sporting events in our state, the Centennial Olympic Games," said Victoria Seahorn, race director for the ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon. "Like so many of the places along the course, it's part of Atlanta's history. And the park will serve appropriately again as a headquarters for celebration and success next March, a place where all runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes can reunite with their families and friends." Registration for the 2008 event is now open at INGGeorgiaMarathon.com. Race officials have set the limit again at 15,000 racers; the event is expected to sell-out again. Through Dec. 31 of this year, registration for the half-marathon is $60; the registration for the marathon is $80 and $60 for the wheelchair half-marathon. Registration prices will increase on January 1, 2008. Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director |
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