FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
REGISTRATION OPENS FOR 2008 MEIJER DERBY FESTIVAL RACES
Early Registration Deadline Is January 31
August 31, 2007- LOUISVILLE, KY - Online registration will open TOMORROW
(Sept. 1) for the 2008 Meijer Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon,
which will be run next year on Saturday, April 26. The seventh annual
Marathon and 35th annual miniMarathon will start simultaneously at 7:30
a.m. near Iroquois Park. The 2007 races attracted a record 11,269
registrants, shattering the previous record of 8,651 set in 2006.
Race registration fees are $35 for the 13.1-mile mini and $60 for the
26.2-mile Marathon if entered online or postmarked by Jan. 31, 2008. From
Feb. 1 to April 15, entry fees are $50 for the mini and $75 for the
Marathon; late entry fees at the Race Expo (April 24 and 25) are $60 and
$90. Runners may register at www.derbyfestivalmarathon.com. The race will
be capped at 10,000 participants for 2008.
"We're committed to keeping the Meijer mini and Marathon among the top
racing events in the country," said Mike Berry, Derby Festival President
and CEO. "So, at this time we can only guarantee entry for the first 10,000
registrants to ensure that we have the infrastructure in place to support
the runners in the manner to which they are accustomed."
The race route will once again include a lap around the infield at historic
Churchill Downs; Marathon runners will also complete a short loop in
Southern Indiana before returning to downtown Louisville at about Mile 24.
Also featured on the race website is information on travel and
accommodations, team challenge divisions, relay teams, charity fund-raising
and the Race Expo. Runners currently listed in the Derby Festival's
database should receive entry forms in the mail within the next two weeks.
The Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon are sponsored by Meijer.
Contributing sponsors are: Bluegrass Family Health, Churchill Downs, The
Courier-Journal, Michelob Ultra and Powerade; supporting sponsors are
Frazier Rehab Institute Sports Medicine a service of Jewish Hospital & St.
Mary's Healthcare, the Louisville Water Company and MarathonGuide.com.
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