FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Little Rock Marathon Unveils 2010 Finisher's Medal
Little Rock, January 25, 2010) – Little Rock Marathon race officials
unveiled the 2010 version of the world's largest marathon finisher's medal
during a press conference today.
The Little Rock Marathon is presented by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette and
will be held March 5 – 7 in downtown Little Rock.
"In 2004, Runner's World Magazine reported that we gave out the 'world's
largest marathon finisher's medal," Gina Marchese Pharis, Co-Executive
Director said. "For six years we have been recognized as having the world's
largest marathon finisher's and we believe we can still claim the title
with this year's Natural medal."
"When we started the Little Rock Marathon we had no idea the medal would be
what we are known for," Pharis said.
"We came up with this idea in 2003 after finishing a particularly difficult
race," she said. "When the volunteer handed us our medals at the finish
line, we stunned. We said 'we did the marathon, not the 5K.' It was not a
mistake the medal was the same size as the 5K medal. All medals are great
and were very grateful for our awards, but we wanted something a little
more substantial. It was a tough race."
"We believe our marathon finishers should take home a medal that represents
their achievement," Pharis said. "I know when I finish a marathon; my
effort is not a quarter-sized effort. It is gianormous. That is how we
came up with offering a big marathon medal."
"Our race is known for coming up with something fun and different each
year," Pharis said. "Athletes come from around the world to take our medal
home. Only a few take away the winner's title. But, when all said and
done the one thing so many finishers cherish is their medal. They run for
the hardware and every finisher takes home hardware."
The 2010 Little Rock Marathon finisher's medal is 7 3/4 inches long and 6
inches wide. The medal features the 2010 "It's a Natural" theme and weighs
in at a 1.67 pounds. The medal features the race's signature globe, as
well as race director's kiss.
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 finisher medals,
and is a leader in the industry producing medals for many of the largest
marathons in the country.
The half marathon finisher's medal also features the 2010 race theme and is
4 inches long by 4 inches wide.
Race day is Sunday, March 7. In addition to the marathon (26.2 miles),
there is a half marathon (13.1 miles) race, presented by Baptist Health; a
4 person relay marathon (26.2 miles divided into four segments) and the
Classic Rockers Final Mile (for individuals 55+ who completed at least 25.2
miles prior to race day).
The Little Rock 5K Fun Run/Walk, presented by Windstream Communications, is
Saturday, March 6 at 8 am. The Little Rockers Kids Marathon (26.2 miles
completed over an extended time frame), presented by Arkansas Children's
Hospital and Today's THV, for children 7 to 12 is Saturday, March 6 at
noon. All races start at the River Market and finish at the Riverfest
Amphitheatre.
Participants in all events can run, walk or do a combination of running and
walking in any of the events.
Prior to race day, there is a free two-day health and fitness expo on March
5 – 6 in the Statehouse Convention Center in downtown Little Rock.
Online registration and mail in registration for the Little Rock Marathon
and companion races will close February 26 at midnight CST and will re-open
at the Health & Fitness Expo on March 5 – 6 if maximum registration limits
have not been reached.
Race weekend is also sponsored by Abbott Point of Care, Academy Sports
+Outdoors (presenting sponsors of the training program), AR Dept of Health
(presenting sponsor of the Little Rockers Kids Marathon training program),
Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Arkansas Lamination Products & Services,
Arkansas Rice Depot, arkansasrunner.com, Arvest Bank, ASICS, Ben E. Keith
Foods, Coleman Dairy, Crowne Plaza Little Rock, Darragh Company, Datamax of
Arkansas, Diamond Bear, Easy Runner, Hammer Nutrition Ltd., EMS
Innovations, Fence World, First United Methodist Church, Fiser Truck &
Tractor/Twin City Tractor & Equipment, Gatorade Sports Marketing, Go!
Running, Grace Communications, Harbor Distributing, Hatcher Agency
(presenting sponsor of the Perks Pavilion), Heart Clinic Arkansas
(presenting sponsor of the training program), Hugg & Hall, KARK Channel 4
(presenting sponsor of the training program), KURB B98.5, Little Rock
Convention & Visitors, Loreal USA, Magna 4 Printing, North Little Rock
Visitors Bureau, Olive Garden, Papa John's Pizza, Peabody Little Rock
(presenting sponsor of the Pasta Party), Pepsi Americas, Premium
Refreshment Services, Road Safe Traffic, Stellar Sun, Time Striping Inc.,
and Whole Hog Café (presenting sponsor of the Big N Bodacious Post Race
Party).
For information, visit www.littlerockmarathon.com or call 501-371-4770.
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