FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Little Rock Marathon Unveils 2011 Finisher's Medal
(Little Rock, February 4, 2011) – Little Rock Marathon race officials
unveiled the 2011 version of its marathon finisher's medal in Little Rock.
The Little Rock Marathon is presented by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette and
will be held March 5 – 6 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 seven years we have been recognized as having one of
the largest marathon finisher's medals and we believe we can still claim
the title with this year's Mythic medal."
"We believe our marathon finishers should take home a medal that represents
their achievement," Pharis said.
"Our race is known for its fun spirit," Pharis said. "Athletes come from
around the world to earn our medal. Only a handful of professional
athletes will take home a prize. When it is all said and done, the one
thing so many finishers cherish is their medal."
The 2011 Little Rock Marathon finisher's medal is 7 ¾ inches long and 5
inches wide. The medal features the 2011 "A Medal of Mythic Proportions"
theme and weighs approximately 1 ½ pounds. The medal is showcased by a
custom ribbon which features the race's signature globe, as well as race
director's "smooch".
"We made our marathon medal a little lighter this year so our marathoners
can dance at the post race party with it on," Pharis said. "After going
26.2 miles that extra pound and a half can get in the way of getting your
groove on."
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.
The half marathon finisher's medal also features the 2011 race theme and is
3 ¾ inches long by 2 ½ inches wide.
Race day is Sunday, March 6. In addition to the marathon, there is a half
marathon, presented by Baptist Health and a four-person relay marathon
(26.2 miles divided into four segments), presented by the Heart of
Arkansas.
The Little Rock 5K Fun Run/Walk, presented by Windstream Communications, is
Saturday, March 5 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, is 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
4 – 5 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 25 at midnight CST and will re-open
at the Health & Fitness Expo on March 4 – 5 if maximum registration limits
have not been reached.
Race weekend is also sponsored by Academy Sports +Outdoors, AR Dept of
Health/Center for Health Advancement, Aristotle.net, Arkansas Blue Cross &
Blue Shield, Arkansas Lamination Products & Services Inc., Arvest Bank, Ben
E. Keith Foods, Best Parking, Chick Fil A, Coleman Dairy, Crowne Plaza
Little Rock, Darragh Company, Datamax of Arkansas, DataPath Inc., Easy
Runner, Fence World, First United Methodist Church, Fiser Truck &
Tractor/Twin City Tractor & Equipment, Gatorade, Glazier's Distributing of
Arkansas, Go! Running, Golden Eagle of Arkansas, Grace Communications,
Hatcher Agency, Heart Clinic Arkansas, Hugg & Hall, KARK Channel 4, KURB
B98.5, KLAZ Alice 107.7, Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, Loreal
USA, North Little Rock Visitors Bureau, Olive Garden, Peabody Little Rock,
Pepsi Americas, Premium Refreshment Services, Pulaski Tech Culinary
Institute, QualChoice of Arkansas, Road ID, Stellar Sun, Time Striping
Inc., United Health Care, UPS, Waste Management and Whole Hog Café of North
Little Rock.
For information, visit www.littlerockmarathon.com or call 501-371-4770.
About Little Rock Parks & Recreation
Little Rock Parks and Recreation oversees 57 developed parks and twelve
undeveloped parks totaling over 6,100 acres. In addition, the Little Rock
Parks & Recreation 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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