Press Release - ING New York City Marathon - 6/22/07

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                 Contact: Sara Hunninghake
                                          Media Relations Department
                                          New York Road Runners
                                          212.860.4455 x344
                                          

           New York Road Runners to Offer Incentive for 
         American Women at ING New York City Marathon 2007

NEW YORK - (June 22, 2007) - Special money incentives and housing and 
travel assistance will be offered to leading American women distance 
runners at the ING New York City Marathon 2007 to help support their 
Olympic aspirations in a new program created by New York Road Runners 
(NYRR), it was announced Friday by NYRR president and CEO Mary Wittenberg. 

The announcement was made during a media breakfast at the AT&T USA Outdoor 
Track & Field Championships in Indianapolis. 

American women who have already achieved the "B" standard of 2 hours, 47 
minutes for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Women's Marathon will be 
invited to compete in this year's ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, 
November 4, in pursuit of the "A" standard of 2:39:00. The top 30 accepted 
athletes will receive travel and housing assistance, and any runner who 
achieves the "A" standard will receive a $2500 bonus.

The 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Women's Marathon will be run in Boston 
on Sunday, April 20, 2008 on a multi-loop course.

This special program is part of NYRR's philosophy of encouraging and 
supporting American long distance running, which will be highlighted this 
year as NYRR hosts the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men's Marathon in 
Central Park on Saturday, November 3. 

"These women are chasing the American dream, and New York Road Runners is 
pleased to provide them a dress rehearsal before their big day next spring 
in Boston," Wittenberg said. "Seeing the men's Trials up close and 
personal, and competing in the hyped-up atmosphere we expect for the 
weekend, can only help them when it is their turn on April 20."

For more information, visit: NYRR.org or INGNYCMarathon.org

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