FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATIONWIDE BETTER HEALTH COLUMBUS MARATHON UPS STAKES WITH PRIZE MONEY
Marathon introduces Spirit Award for those
who have overcome major obstacles
(COLUMBUS, OH) – Building on the success of last year's sold-out Nationwide
Better Health Columbus Marathon and 1/2 Marathon events, the 2008
Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon is reintroducing prize money;
and at $30,000, it is the largest marathon and half-marathon combined prize
purse in Ohio.
"A marathon is one of the most inclusive sporting events out there," said
Scott Weaver, executive director of the Nationwide Better Health Columbus
Marathon. "Where else will you find elite athletes competing on the same
field as the weekend warriors? A prize purse of this size ensures that the
field remains competitive and attractive to athletes of all levels."
In addition to traditional first, second and third prizes for men and women
finishers, the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon is awarding
individuals who have not only taken on the challenge of completing a
marathon but have overcome considerable obstacles while doing so.
Throughout the years the marathon has witnessed runners and walkers who
train while overcoming a major illness or who use the marathon as part of a
lifestyle change to accomplish significant weight loss. Five of these
marathoners will be honored with $100 Spirit Awards after crossing the
finish line Oct. 19. Spirit Award nominations are being solicited by
sending a brief email (up to 200 words) to info@columbusmarathon.com
outlining why the nominee should receive the Spirit Award. Please also
include the nominee name, phone number and email address.
The following prizes will also be given to both men and women in each
category:
Event First Second Third
Marathon $2,500 $1,000 $750
1/2 Marathon $1,000 $750 $500
Ohioan (full marathon) $750 $500 $250
Masters (40 and older, full marathon) $750 $500 $250
Hand-cycle (full marathon) $1,250 $750 $500
Wheelchair (full marathon) $1,250 $750 $500
The Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon weekend kicks off on Friday,
Oct. 17 when the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon Expo begins at
the Greater Columbus Convention Center Hall D from noon to 7 p.m. The Expo
will feature more than 70 running and health and fitness related booths,
interactive games, fitness seminars and participant registration (if all
11,500 participant slots aren't filled) and packet pickup. The Expo will
re-open on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The fourth annual
Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon Ringling Bros. Red Nose
Children's Run festivities and registration will begin at 10 a.m. at
Franklin Park, with the actual races taking place at 1 p.m. The gun will go
off for the 29th running of the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon
and 1/2 Marathon at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 19 in downtown Columbus from the
corner of Broad and High St. The wheelchair and hand-cycle racers will get
an early start at 7:27 a.m.
For more information on the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon and
1/2 Marathon, visit www.columbusmarathon.com or contact the Nationwide
Better Health Columbus Marathon office at (614) 421-RUNN (7866). The
Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon was one of the 25 largest
marathons in the United States in 2007. Approximately 15 percent of
finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon. The 2007 event featured a sold
out field of 10,000 runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes; 1,500
volunteers and tens of thousands of spectators.
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