FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
More than 25,000 Expected to Participate in
13th Annual Go! St. Louis Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend
Top American and International Elite Athletes to Compete for
$10,000 Half Marathon Prize
Marathon Relay Sold Out at 600 Teams, Entries Still Available in Marathon,
Half Marathon, 5K, Children's Fun Runs and Mature Mile
ST. LOUIS (MO) – April 2, 2013 – GO! St. Louis, a local not-for-profit
organization that specializes in providing fitness events and programs for
the region on a year-round basis, announced today that the 2013 GO! St.
Louis Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend, set for April 6 & 7 continues to
attract thousands of participants from all over the United States and many
foreign countries. The 13-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 from across the country. An estimated 25,000 participants will
compete in one of the 10 different events over the weekend. Additionally,
more than 50,000 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 – presented by
Mercy, half marathon – presented by PNC Bank, Marathon Relay – presented by
Lockton Companies, 5K Run/Walk – presented by Mercy, GO! St. Louis Read,
Right and Run Marathon® - presented by Express Scripts, Children's Fun Runs
and a Mature Mile.
Some of the top American and International athletes will be competing this
year in the Half Marathon, and vying for the $10,000 top prize in both the
men's and women's divisions. The top prize in the half marathon is the
fourth largest in the U.S. In total, more $40,000 will be offered in prize
money for both the marathon and half marathon. For a complete list of elite
athletes visit
http://www.gostlouis.org/marathon-weekend/about/elite-athlete-program.html
Among the variety of new and expanded event features this year is a theme
celebrating the event as a St. Louis Original, which included a series of
video announcements from local celebrities highlighting the race course,
and all of the people, places and venues that make St. Louis original. In
addition, St. Louis-themed finish line food, such as: Ted Drewes Frozen
Custard, Dad's Oatmeal Cookies, Pasta House Toasted Raviolis, Michelob
ULTRA and Companion pretzel sticks will be offered to participants. Also,
participants on the marathon course will enjoy a special chocolate station,
compliments of Crown Candy Kitchen.
Event Highlights
-The popular half marathon race was introduced to the event in 2003. More
than 10,000 participants are expected to compete, making it one of the
largest half marathons in the midwest. The half marathon course record is
1:05:01, set in 2012 by Daniel Kirwa. The women's record was set in 2007 by
Serena Ramsey (Burla) – 1:14:13.
-Participation in the Marathon Relay has increased dramatically since 2008,
when 265 teams registered. The 2013 Marathon Relay sold out in January at
600 total teams. Teams are comprised of four people, who each run
approximately 6 miles each, to complete a full 26.2 marathon. Categories
include corporate, coed, battle of the badges, and friends and family.
-Over 88% of the participants reside in Missouri or Illinois, but athletes
from 48 different states (Alaska and Wyoming not represented) will visit
St. Louis to compete. In addition, athletes from nine countries (Canada,
Germany, Brazil, Spain, Costa Rica, Denmark, Guatemala, Italy and
Nicaragua) are registered in the field.
-Holy Hill features a Race within a Race. This two-mile hill stretches from
Mile 6 to 8, and is a slow steady climb. Participants in the Marathon and
Half Marathon will receive a separate time on this portion of the course,
with "Kings & Queens of the Hill" finisher medals and chocolate bars from
Crown Candy Kitchen awarded after the race to the top three finishers in
every age group. This area also includes lots of fun and festive elements,
such as cheer squads, bands, and the Very Reverend Mike Kinman.
-GO! For a Cause, a charity training program that encourages local charities
to fundraiser by recruiting participants for the event. Hundreds of
participants will be competing in one of the various races, while raising
money for a charity. More than 28 charities were accepted as official
charities this year. Last year more than $366,000 was raised for local
causes, and more than 1 million has been raised since the program's
inception in 2010. For a complete list visit
http://www.gostlouis.org/community-programs/programs/go-for-a-cause.html
-The marathon race course starts and finishes in downtown St. Louis at
Market & 15th Street. The course includes the Gateway Arch (great view,
before turning at Tucker), Busch Stadium, Anheuser Busch brewery, Forest
Park, Washington University, Downtown Clayton, and The Loop in U City.
Area residents are encouraged to come out to show their support by cheering
on the participants along the course.
-Official Cheer Zones – Look for six area Cheer Zones throughout the race
course. Spectators are encouraged to visit one of the zones to watch the
race, and cheer on family and friends. The first 50 spectators at each zone
will receive a free t-shirt, Kaldi's Coffee, Companion pretzel sticks and a
make-your-own cheer card. The Zones include: Lindell Blvd & Olive, near
Saint Louis University, Forest Park Avenue & Taylor in the Central West
End, Forest Park Visitor's Center, Olympian Way (Forsyth), next to Francis
Field on the Washington University Campus, Forsyth & Brentwood in Clayton
and The UCity Loop, next to the Chuck Berry Statue. In addition, the
Soulard Pajama Party Neighborhood Cheer Area returns for the third straight
year.
-Volunteers are an important component with an event this size. More than
2,800 volunteers are needed to assist, including: individuals,
universities, high school groups and organizations who perform a variety of
duties including: staffing a hydration station, finish line support, medal
distribution, medical assistance and course monitors.
-Saturday's Family Fitness Day in Forest Park will feature people ranging in
ages from a young toddler, crawling across the finish line in the Diaper
Dash to two 100-year-old participants in the Mature Mile. More than 9,000
people, including more than 5,500 children are expected to attend.
-Children from 253 schools and young organizations are participating in the
GO! St. Louis Read, Right & Run Marathon, a six-month innovative program
that promotes reading 26 books, completing 26 good deeds and running 26
miles. The program concludes with the majority of the students running
their final miles on Sat., April 6. Students will receive their medals
after crossing the finish line.
-The Students on the GO! program, now in its 4th year is presented by Anthem
Blue Cross & Blue Shield, and features 10 area high schools - Roosevelt
High School, Gateway STEM, Ritenour High School, Cleveland NJROTC, Metro
High School, Pattonville High School, University City High School, Block
Yeshiva, Jennings High School and Shearwater. The program trains and
mentors high school students to run the half marathon. More than 200
students, school educators and administrators have been training in Forest
Park for several months in preparation.
Registration: Individuals interested in registering for one of the events
should visit the Health & Fitness Expo at the Chaifetz Arena, which is set
for Friday, April 5 from 11 am – 7 pm and Saturday, April 6 from 10 am – 7
pm. Race Day registration is available for the Family Day events (5K,
Children's Funs Runs and Mature Mile) on Saturday, April 6 at the event
site. Online registration closed for all the events on April 1. Please note
that the Marathon Relay sold out at 600 team, so entries and not available.
Event Schedule: Friday, April 5 – Health & Fitness Expo presented by Big
River Running, 11am-7pm Chaifetz Arena, Saturday, April 6 in Forest Park –
5K Run/Walk at 8am, Read, Right & Run Marathon at 9:15 am, Children's Fun
Runs at 10:45 am and Mature Mile at 11:15 am. Health & Fitness Expo 10am –
7pm. Sunday, April 7 at Market & 15th Street – Marathon, Half Marathon and
Marathon Relay at 7am.
2013 Sponsors: PNC Bank, Express Scripts, Cigna, Mercy, McCarthy Building
Companies, KMOX Radio, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Missouri Beef
Industry Council, Lockton Companies, Big River Running Company, Michelob
ULTRA, Emerson, Missouri Lottery, Drury Hotels, yurbuds, YP, The Staenberg
Family Foundation, Emerson, Absopure , KSDK-TV News Channel 5, St. Louis
Post-Dispatch, ALIVE Magazine, Pasta House Company, KPMG, Dole, Edward
Jones, Brighton Agency, ESCO, St. Louis Injury & Rehab and Gatorade
Endurance.
###
|
