FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Geneva Hampton
501-371-4639
501-351-7730 cell
Gina Marchese Pharis
501-918-5321
501-351-7700 cell
It Is All About The Medal
Little Rock Marathon To Award Male And Female Medals To Finishers
(Little Rock, January 25, 2006) - Little Rock Marathon race officials
unveiled the 2007 version of the world's largest marathon finisher's medal
during a press conference today.
"We are the only marathon in the world to offer a male and female version
of our 2007 marathon finisher's medal," Gina Marchese Pharis, Co-Executive
Director of the Little Rock Marathon, said. "For three years we have been
recognized as having the world's largest marathon medal and for our fifth
year, we wanted do something completely different and fabulous."
"Anyone can make a big medal," Geneva Hampton, Co-Executive Director, said.
"We wanted to make it extra special."
"While we were working at another race we had an epiphany," Hampton said.
"Our 2007 idea seemed so simple that we could not believe another race had
not made male and female medals."
"Why make so much fuss over a finisher's medal," Pharis asked the crowd.
"Because we can. Our race is known for coming up with something fun and
different. Athletes come from around the world to take our medal home.
Only a few take home money and when it is all said and done the one thing
so many cherish is that medal. They run for the hardware and every
finisher takes home hardware."
The commemorative 2007 Little Rock Marathon finisher's medal is 5 7/8
inches long and approximately 4 inches wide. The medal features the
2007color scheme, chocolate brown, vanilla cream, cyan blue (for men) and
lipstick pink (for women). Weighing in at a little more than a pound, the
globe at the top of the medal is a double-sided spinner and is embellished
with a stone where Little Rock would be positioned on the world map.
According to Jon Scott of Maxwell Medals & Awards of Traverse City, MI the
average finisher's medal is 2.5 inches and weighs approximately 3 ounces.
Maxwell Medals & Awards produces the Little Rock Marathon medals as well as
medals for major races including the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon and Race
For The Cure.
The half marathon finisher's medal also has a new look this year too. The
3.8-ounce silver finish medal is highlighted by the 2007 colors scheme and
measures 4 inches long by 3 ¾ inches wide.
The Little Rock Marathon is Sunday, March 4. In addition to the marathon
(26.2 miles), there is a half marathon (13.1 miles) race, a relay
half-marathon (13.1 miles divided into two segments) race, a 5K (3.1 miles)
fun run/walk, the Little Rockers Kids Marathon (26.2 miles completed over
an extended time frame), as well as the Classic Rockers Marathon (for
individuals 55+ who complete 26.2 miles over an extended time frame).
Participants can run, walk or do a combination of running and walking in
any of the events. Prior to race day, there is a two-day health and
fitness show at the Robinson Center Exhibition Hall in downtown Little
Rock.
Race officials also announced details of the Classic Rockers Marathon, a
new event for seniors debuting at the 2007 race. Participants 55 years of
age and older have the opportunity to complete a marathon over an extended
period of time. Participants must complete at least 25 miles prior to race
day. On March 4 they finish the final mile of their marathon as they run
or walk on the official race course and cross the official Little Rock
Marathon finish line.
The mission of the Classic Rockers Marathon is to provide participants ages
55+ with the opportunity to enhance their physical activity while focusing
on reaching a goal. We hope to motivate seniors to commit or recommit to a
health and fitness routine and experience the overall rewards of achieving
their goals, not only in crossing the finish line but in life as well.
"After my mother had heart surgery last fall, I looked for a program that
would incorporate running, but mostly walking," Pharis said. "When I could
not find a program for seniors, we decided to develop our own. It fills a
void in our mission to get everyone on his or her feet. We are Arkansas'
race for every pace."
Another change to the 2007 race is the relay event. The four-person relay
marathon has been replaced with a two-person half marathon relay. The
relay half marathon course will be the same as the half marathon course and
will start at the same time as the marathon and half marathon. The first
section of the race is 6.8 miles and the second section of the race is 6.3.
"The relay format in a race like ours fills the void for racers interested
in being part of race day, but got a late start in training or are unsure
about going the longer distances," said Hampton. "It will be more cost
effective while keeping the team concept we have cultivated over the past
four years."
Divisions for the relay half marathon are Open Male, Open Female, Open
Co-Ed, Masters Male, Masters Female, Masters Co-Ed, Youth Male, Youth
Female, and Youth Co-Ed. Awards will be given to the top three teams in
each division.
Online registration and mail in registration for the Little Rock Marathon
and companion races will close February 21st at midnight or when the
maximum field limit is reached.
For information, visit www.littlerockmarathon or call 501-371-4770.
Little Rock Parks and Recreation (LRPR) oversees 53 parks, four community
centers, the Adult Leisure Center, War Memorial Fitness Center, four
swimming pools, two tennis centers, the River Market, the Riverfest
Amphitheatre, three golf courses, and the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas
Military History. The LRPR system includes more than 5,000 acres of
designated parks and open space. In addition, the organization offers a
wide-range of youth and adult recreational and sports leagues, after-school
and summer playground programs for children ages 6-15, outdoor recreation,
therapeutic recreation and programs for seniors. Funds raised will
continue to support parks and recreational programs for all ages. For more
information about Little Rock Parks & Recreation please visit www.lrpr.org.
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