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EDITOR'S NOTE:
The Running USA website - RunningUSA.org - is undergoing a complete reconstruction. The initial launch for the new site is expected to be Wednesday, April 1, 2009. To this end, Running USA wires 19-20, due for publication on the present site on March 11 and 15, will be delayed until Monday, March 16. Email distribution of these editions will be unchanged, but the "In this Edition" story links on them will not be functional until March 16.

Please accept our apologies for this inconvenience. We appreciate your understanding.

Running USA media

Mayor Newsom, ING Bay to Breakers Announce Revised Policies for 2009 Race
Agreement achieves balance of tradition and safety for May 17th event

SAN FRANCISCO - (February 27, 2009) - Following meetings with City of San Francisco city agencies, including the Office of Mayor, the Interdepartmental Staff Committee on Traffic and Transportation (ISCOTT) and Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, AEG, race organizer for the ING Bay to Breakers, has announced revised policies to improve the safety and enjoyment of the race for runners, spectators and neighbors during this year's 98th running of the ING Bay to Breakers 12K on Sunday, May 17.

"We are pleased to have worked with the race organizers, neighborhood leaders, City Staff and supporters of the race to ensure that the fun aspects of the race are preserved while protecting our neighborhoods and ensuring the safety of race participants and citizens of San Francisco," said Mayor Gavin Newsom.

"We are honored by the widespread support we have received from the City of San Francisco to help us address safety, logistical and trash issues created by the race in years past while preserving the fun and zany character of the race," said Angela Fang, general manager for AEG, the race organizer of the ING Bay to Breakers race.

The following revised policies have been made to the 98th ING Bay to Breakers, as well as future races:

* Shared enforcement of city ordinances regarding alcohol. Anyone publicly drinking alcohol or displaying public drunkenness on or along the race course will be subject to the laws of California. Race organizers will coordinate with the San Francisco Police Department to proactively remove kegs and glass bottles of alcohol from the race course.

* Wheeled objects and floats will be permitted on the course, with new provisions for safety. Wheeled objects and floats owners must register and start at the race starting line behind all runners and walkers. There will be no charge for floats, but the participants who carry or use them must register at INGbaytobreakers.com. Wheeled objects and floats cannot be motorized and may not be used to transport or store alcohol. Float owners are directed to act responsibly toward the environment and dispose of their floats in dumpsters along the route near the end of the race.

* In addition, race organizers, along with city officials, strongly urge participants to register for this year's race. Registration fees pay for the necessary infrastructure - including portable toilets and dumpsters - to ensure a safe, clean race course for participants and spectators alike. Early registration and group discounts are available at INGbaytobreakers.com as well as instructions on entering floats in the race.

"We believe we have achieved a 'win-win' for the City, the community and race organizers in terms of balancing the traditions and safety of one of San Francisco's most vibrant and longstanding events," said Mayor Gavin Newsom. "We encourage everyone to show their respect and support for the race by joining us in the celebration on May 17."

About ING Bay to Breakers 12K
Now in its 98th year, the ING Bay to Breakers 12K, a Running USA Founding Member, is one of the world's largest and oldest footraces, held annually in San Francisco, California. The name reflects the course which takes tens of thousands of participants from the northeast end of downtown San Francisco, near The Embarcadero (the "bay" side of the city), to the west end of the city and the "breakers" of Ocean Beach. The 7.46 mile (12 kilometer) race features world-class athletes in addition to costumed runners and 'fun-loving' folks out for a great day of running and walking through San Francisco. For more information, visit: INGbaytobreakers.com

Join the discussion or just stay up to date with news, fun facts and photos by visiting ING Bay to Breakers online at Facebook (http://tinyurl.com/b2bonfb), Flickr (www.flickr.com/photos/ingbaytobreakers/) or Twitter (http://twitter.com/INGB2Breakers).

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Comcast SportsNet, Marine Corps Marathon Team Up to Offer Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience at Premier Fall Marathon
"Start the Marine Corps Marathon at Your House" Contest gives a lucky area runner VIP opportunity for one of the biggest D.C. events of the year; contest begins March 1 on www.comcastsportsnet.tv

BETHESDA, Md. - (Feb. 26, 2009) - Comcast SportsNet, the leader in local sports television and the Sports Television Network of the Marine Corps Marathon, has announced an innovative event leading up to the opening of registration for the 34th MCM.

Comcast SportsNet's "Start the Marine Corps Marathon at Your House" Contest offers one winner VIP access and treatment in the days leading up to, and during, the running of the MCM on Sunday, October 25.

On Tuesday, March 31, Comcast SportsNet and the MCM will visit one lucky household to set up the iconic MCM start arch, plus post-run hospitality, massages, and Miles, the MCM mascot, to offer his support. Race director Rick Nealis will join the winner on a short training run with United States Marines to kick off marathon season.

The winner will receive VIP treatment on race day, October 25. Included in the race-day prize package are two sought-after elite entries for the marathon, two tickets to the MCM pre-race pasta party featuring guest speaker Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to enter and complete the Boston Marathon, official MCM apparel, VIP parking on race day and be featured in Comcast SportsNet's SportsNite program.

All entrants must live within a 50-mile radius of Washington, D.C. In order to enter, interested parties just need to complete the following statement, "I want to start the Marine Corps Marathon at my house because..." beginning March 1 through www.comcastsportsnet.tv. Entries will be accepted until Sunday, March 22.

Voted "Best Marathon for Families", the Marine Corps Marathon continues a combined tradition of dedication, sportsmanship and patriotism. Runners from all walks of life have participated in the world's largest marathon to not offer prize money, deservingly earning the nickname "The People's Marathon." The 34th Marine Corps Marathon to be held on October 25, 2009 in Arlington, VA is presented by USAA and Brooks Sports, Inc. For more information, visit: MarineMarathon.com

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We Run This City Youth Marathon Program Successful on Many Levels
Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon program spurred significant improvements in health of students

CLEVELAND - (Feb. 26, 2009) - They came. They trained. They ran. They became healthier. The results are in and the 2008 We Run This City Youth Marathon Program (WRTC) was a success in numerous aspects. Not only did the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K program draw over 10,000 participants, it also provided 283 Cleveland Metropolitan School District 6th - 12th graders the opportunity to cross the finish line with professional and amateur runners, all the while becoming healthier.

Of the 283 students running on race day, 210 ran the 1.2 mile route specifically designated for the WRTC youth (the 26th mile in their two month training), 71 students ran the 10K (6.2 mile) portion of the race, and two brave students completed the half-marathon (13.1 miles). This resulted in 718.4 miles run on race day, collectively.

"What is most impressive is the number of miles that the students ran in the 16 weeks prior to race day - over 10,000," said Program Director Tara Taylor. "The training the children received in the months prior to the event resulted in a number of improvements, ranging from their physical health, self-esteem and lifestyle choices."

The Center for Health Promotion Research at Case Western Reserve University, a WRTC program partner, plays an integral role in the program, performing the pre- and post-race day assessments for each of the youth participants. 2008 evaluation measures highlighted some of the following results: 35 percent of the children running the 1.2 miles were considered having pre- or hypertensive blood pressure prior to the program, as measured by NHLBI standards. Post-evaluation results indicated a 10 percent decrease in hypertension with a drop to 25 percent, most significantly in the pre-hypertensive area, dropping from 22.7 percent to 13.6 percent.

10K youth participant results showed an even higher drop with, 42 percent pre- or hypertensive blood pressure prior to the training program, dropping to 23 percent post-race. Both categories experienced dramatic reductions of 5.2 and 13.8 percent, respectively.

Also improving was the amount of time the students could endure physical activity, increased strength, and a decrease in the fat content found in the triceps.

"Although the physical changes the students displayed are impressive, it is the changes to their self-image and their extra-curricular activity choices that deserve our acknowledgements," Taylor said. "The children are getting better grades, experiencing better relationships with their peers, spending more of their free time engaged in physical activities rather than watching television or playing video games, and, above all, have an improved self-perception."

"Each one of these improvements is a success in and of itself, but collectively, it's an immense accomplishment for the program," says Ralph Staph, Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon race director. "Providing an outlet for health and fitness in the community is the purpose for our marathon. We are quite pleased that outlet is available and beneficial to our children as well."

Dedicated to encouraging healthy habits and exercise in Cleveland's young people, We Run This City formative years began as a collaboration between the YMCA of Greater Cleveland, Steps to a Healthier Cleveland, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) and the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. The catalyst of the collaboration was the Cleveland Department of Public Health (CDPH) receipt of a multi-million, multi-year cooperative agreement from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2004 Steps to a Healthier US initiative to form Steps to a Healthier Cleveland.

In 2005, the YMCA of USA joined Steps to a Healthier US. It was in 2006 that We Run This City Youth Marathon Program trained 81 CMSD 6th - 8th graders. The program participation rates have nearly doubled in size every year since 2006. With generous contributions from Steps to a Healthier Cleveland, the Medical Mutual of Ohio Charitable Foundation-The Cleveland Foundation, St. Luke's Foundation, the Mt. Sinai Foundation and the Ohio Department of Health, the WRTC program is able to provide programming for 500 Cleveland students.

In 2008, Dr. Eugene Sanders, CEO of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and Glen Haley, CEO of the YMCA of Greater Cleveland, both participated in the race. Taylor says they anticipate that both leaders will be returning to the streets this May to support the youth. One of the participating students plans to invite Cleveland's Mayor, Frank G. Jackson, to compete with them in the 2009 race on Sunday, May 17 in downtown Cleveland.

"This program is of the utmost importance to our community," said Haley. "Health and fitness among our youth is becoming a large concern in Cuyahoga County, and having an outlet for these kids is going to be beneficial on so many levels as they grow to be the next generations of working adults. I truly enjoyed participating along side of the kids and seeing the pride they had for their outstanding accomplishments."

The 2009 WRTC pre-evaluation marathon activities have recently begun. Over 500 students took part in the pre-evaluation program and are expected to participate in the 2009 race day event on May 17. Training has already begun for the half-marathon and 10K students, and training for the students who will run the last 1.2 miles on race day began February 23.

For further information on the We Run This City Youth Marathon Program, call (216) 263-6298. To learn more about the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K on Sunday, May 17, 2009, visit ClevelandMarathon.com or call (800) 467-3826.

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New Elements Added to 2009 Gold Coast Airport Marathon
Waterfront course segment, Gold Coast Bulletin 5K Challenge and new home for ASICS Sport & Leisure Expo

SOUTHPORT, Queensland, Australia - (February 26, 2009) - The 31st Gold Coast Airport Marathon to be held on Sunday, July 5 will feature a new segment to its waterfront course, a brand new race on its program and a new home for the ASICS Sport & Leisure Expo and Registration Centre.

Queensland Events Gold Coast General Manager Cameron Hart said these changes will add additional appeal for participants and the community as well as streamlining the operation and management of the event.

The full 42.195K Gold Coast Airport Marathon course which starts at the Southport Broadwater Parklands will this year stretch all the way to a southern turnaround point at Burleigh Heads, rather than the previous turnaround at Miami.

"This will add another scenic and flat section to the course at the southern end taking in one of the most beautiful and well known beaches in the world, Burleigh Heads," said Hart. "The marathon course will take participants into another beautiful part of the Gold Coast and continue its standing as one of the most picturesque courses in the world."

A new 5K event to be called the Gold Coast Bulletin 5K Challenge has been added to the program for both runners and walkers, replacing the previous 7.5K Walk.

"The addition of the Gold Coast Bulletin 5K Challenge will be a great introduction for those runners who may not feel ready to tackle a 10K race just yet," said Hart. "The new event will allow a runner to start with the 5K this year and then 'Embrace the Next Step' to a longer distance next year. The 5K is also a good distance for the walkers, many of whom are participating for the health and fitness benefits as well as to enjoy the atmosphere of the Gold Coast Airport Marathon with friends or colleagues."

The Event Registration Centre and ASICS Sport & Leisure Expo will this year be located at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre at Broadbeach from Thursday to Saturday July 2-4, moving from its previous temporary facility in the Start and Finish Precinct at the Southport Broadwater Parklands.

"The move to a permanent convention and exhibition centre will enhance the standard of our expo and registration centre," said Hart.

"With our significant growth in participant numbers over recent years, moving the expo and registration centre offsite will free up much space for additional race day infrastructure and reduce traffic congestion around our race precinct in the days leading into the event.

"It also enables greater visitation to the ASICS Sport & Leisure Expo by the wider community to check out the latest in fitness and sporting products and services."

Following the success of the 2008 event, a number of initiatives launched last year will also continue including 5K split times for the marathon and a webcast, both live on the official website GoldCoastMarathon.com.au.

The full Gold Coast Airport Marathon will have a cut-off time of 6 hours 30 minutes this year ensuring all races have concluded by 2:00pm.

For further information including entry fees, visit GoldCoastMarathon.com.au. Entries will open for this year's Gold Coast Airport Marathon on Tuesday, April 14 via the event website.

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232
Ryan@RunningUSA.org | www.RunningUSA.org