FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Race Expo Moves to Georgia Dome As Result
of Last Week's Tornado Damage
Times for Packet Pickup and Seminar Series
Remain the Same for March 28-29
(ATLANTA, Ga. March 21, 2008) – After assessing the status of repairs being
made to several venues in downtown Atlanta, race organizers of the 2008 ING
Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon announced that the Georgia Dome would be
the new host on March 28 and 29 for the ING Georgia Marathon Health and
Wellness Expo driven by Saturn. The headquarters hotel for race weekend
will remain the Omni Hotel at CNN Center.
"Despite last weekend's extreme weather events, and the terrible damage
caused in the downtown area, we're pleased that the show will go on. The
Health and Wellness Expo driven by Saturn is a vital component to our
event. It is more than a location for racers to get numbers and goody bags.
We provide two full days of seminars, interactive exhibits and resources
for our registered runners, and invite the general public to attend as
well. It is free, it is open to the public, and it will be in a great
venue, the Georgia Dome," said Victoria Seahorn, race director for the ING
Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon.
"Our partners at the Georgia World Congress Center and the Omni Hotel have
been terrific in addressing all of our safety needs at their respective
venues. To that end, we've decided it was best for all parties to move the
Expo to the Georgia Dome, which still remains a convenient place for our
participants to pick up their race packets. We continue to work diligently
to assure that come race weekend, everyone will be able to enjoy a safe and
memorable event."
The ING Georgia Marathon Health & Wellness Expo driven by Saturn was
scheduled to be held downtown at the Georgia World Congress Center. This
two-day event, March 28-29, is where all 15,000 participants (registrations
were at 14,500 today) will be picking up their race numbers and
registration packets. The Georgia Dome provides similar space needed for
this Expo that was planned for the Georgia World Congress Center. It is
also easily accessible from MARTA.
The Health & Fitness Expo driven by Saturn is free and open to the public –
Friday March 28 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday March 29 from 9 a.m. to
6 p.m. It has more than 100 exhibits from retailers, personal trainers,
nutritionists, wellness experts, as well as a world-class Seminar Series.
The Seminar Series will feature guest speakers such as Grete Waitz,
Kathrine Switzer, Dick Beardsley, Helen Klein and many others. Atlanta
Falcons' linebacker Keith Brooking will also be among the featured guests
at the Expo on March 29, supporting the ING Run for Something Better
program.
The Georgia World Congress Center Authority operates the Georgia Dome, as
well as the 21-acre Centennial Olympic Park and Georgia World Congress
Center. The three state-owned facilities are one of the largest combined
sports, entertainment and convention center facilities in the world. More
information can be found at the official race Web site,
www.inggeorgiamarathon.com.
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