FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RECORD BREAKING PARTICIPATION EXPECTED FOR NINTH ANNUAL
GO! ST. LOUIS® FAMILY FITNESS WEEKEND
Participants From 47 States and 10 Countries to Compete
Half Marathon Race Nears 10,000 Capacity
Special Appearances by Subway's Jared Fogle and U.S. Navy Highlight Weekend
ST. LOUIS (MO) – April 13, 2009 – GO! St. Louis, a not-for-profit
organization that specializes in presenting fitness events and programs for
the region on a year-round basis, announced today that overall
registrations for the 2009 GO! St. Louis Family Fitness Weekend, set for
April 18 & 19 have reached an all-time high. The nine-year fitness event
started in 2000 with 2,500 participants and has grown to become a major
civic event and the largest competitive fitness event in Missouri. It is
also a top race destination for runners and walkers from across the
country. An estimated 18,000 participants will compete in one of the ten
different events over the weekend. Additionally, more than 30,000
spectators will line the various race courses to support participants.
The GO! St. Louis Family Fitness Weekend is an event that was created for
all ages and fitness abilities and features a marathon (26.2 miles), half
marathon (13. 1 miles) – presented by National City, Marathon Relay –
presented by Lockton Companies, 5K Run/Walk (3.1 miles) - presented by YMCA
of Greater St. Louis, GO! St. Louis Read, Right and Run Marathon® -
presented by Centene Corporation, Children's Fun Runs – presented by Subway
and a Mature Mile.
"In the nine years, since we started the effort to offer an event that
introduces and promotes fitness to thousands of area residents, it is truly
remarkable to the degree it has grown," said Nancy Lieberman, GO! St. Louis
president. "We pride ourselves on offering a top-quality event that
provides excellent participant services and amenities, while displaying the
rich history and friendly people this city offers. With hundreds of
participants arriving from 47 states and 10 different countries the event
is a great showcase of our community, while additionally creating millions
of dollars of economic impact for the region," she concluded.
Event Highlights
- The most popular race is the half marathon, which will sell out for the
first time in the history of the event at 10,000 participants. The Half
Marathon Race was introduced to the event in 2003.
- Participation in the Marathon Relay increased from 265 teams in 2008 to
an estimated 356 teams in 2009. Teams are comprised of four members, who
each run approximately 6 miles each, to complete a full 26.2 marathon.
Categories include corporate, coed and friends and family. Wachovia
Securities led the corporate division with 20 teams entered in the 2009
race.
- Subway's official spokesperson Jared Fogle will make a special
appearance at the Family Day races in Forest Park on Saturday, April 18 at
8:15 am and is the guest speaker at the Pasta Party at 5:30 pm that same
evening.
- The U.S. Navy will have a large on-site presence with a Naval officer
singing the national anthem, the Navy rock band "Freedom" performing
outside St. Louis City Hall, members of the elite U.S. Navy Parachute
Demonstration Team – "The Leapfrogs" dropping in at the start of the race
and interactive demonstrations for the public to enjoy.
- Three of the four champions from last year's races are entered in the
2009 field. Karl Gilpin (Marathon) and Mathew Chesang (Half Marathon) have
won their respective races two straight years and will be looking for a
three-peat. Last year's women's half marathon winner – Kelly (Handel)
Williamson from Austin, TX will try to become the first woman to win
back-to-back titles.
- Over 80% of the participants are from Missouri or Illinois, but
athletes from 47 different states (states NOT represented: Alaska, Rhode
Island and Vermont) will visit St. Louis to compete. In addition, athletes
from 10 countries (Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Andorra, Bermuda,
Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico and Venezuela) are registered in the
field.
- The marathon race course starts in downtown St. Louis at Market & 13th
Street and finishes at Soldier's Memorial at 13th Street & Chestnut. The
course includes the Gateway Arch (great view, before turning at Broadway),
Busch Stadium, Anheuser Busch Inbev brewery, the Grove Area on Manchester,
Forest Park, Washington University, Downtown Clayton, The Loop in U City
and Union Station. Area residents are encouraged to come out to show their
support by cheering on the participants along the course.
- GO! St. Louis has aligned with green partners: Aquafina, AmerenUE,
Waste Management and Schlafly to provide a green-friendly event. Recycling,
reusing, eliminating carbon footprints and promotion of alternate
transportation are all practices in place. Ameren UE's Pure Power program
will essentially eliminate the carbon footprint of the two-day health &
fitness expo by purchasing wind credits to offset the stress to the
environment.
- Children from 97 schools will converge on Forest Park to complete the
Read, Right & Run Marathon, a six-month program that promotes Reading 26
books, Righting the community with 26 good deeds and Running 26 miles. The
program concludes with students running their final miles. Also part of the
Read, Right & Run Marathon program will be 6,000 Saint Louis Public School
students, who complete the program with special in-school celebrations in
May.
- The 5K Run/Walk continues to grow in popularity, with an estimated
1,500 runners and walkers competing. This is a great event for a first time
competitor or an elite short distance athlete. The race starts at 7:30 am
in Forest Park and is one of the few races where participants can register
race morning.
- Pasta House president Kim Tucci serves as 2009 Honorary Chairman of the
event. He will welcome participants before the race and congratulate them
at the finish line.
All participants will receive a high quality event shirt and a finisher's
medal for completing their goal. In addition, event entertainment and
vendors make the weekend more than a series of fitness events.
Individuals interested in registering for one of the Sunday endurance
events (marathon, half marathon and marathon relay) must visit the Health &
Fitness Expo at the Chaifetz Arena, which is set for Friday, April 17 from
11 am – 7 pm and Saturday, April 18 from 10 am – 7 pm. Registration for the
Family Day events on Saturday, April 18 in Forest Park can be done at the
Expo or the morning of the race. Please note that we have established a
participant race cap for the various races, thus the half marathon race may
sellout before the Expo.
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