Press Release - Madagascar Marathon - 7/10/12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Madagascar Marathon to Feature Adventure, Nature and Philanthropy

    Marathon in Burgeoning Travel Destination is Set For June 8, 2013

BOSTON (July 10, 2012) – The Madagascar Marathon and expedition is poised 
to offer globetrotting runners a healthy dose of adventure, eco-tourism and 
an opportunity to make a difference according to Boston-based Marathon 
Tours & Travel, the event organizer and tour operator. The Madagascar 
Marathon & Half Marathon events are scheduled for June 8, 2013.

Located in the Indian Ocean 250 miles off the southeast coast of Africa, 
the Republic of Madagascar is the world's fourth largest island and is 
often referred to as the "8th Continent." The 226,656 square-mile island 
separated from the African continent about 165 million years ago allowing 
plants and animals on the island to evolve in complete isolation, creating 
a biodiversity hotspot. Over 90% of its wildlife is found nowhere else on 
Earth and contains over 10,000 endemic species including the iconic lemur, 
a category of primates.  

"Travel to and around Madagascar is not for the uninformed traveler," says 
Thom Gilligan, president and founder of Marathon Tours & Travel. 
"Madagascar is a burgeoning travel destination. It is undeveloped, 
unspoiled and undiscovered."

The Madagascar Marathon & Half marathon will start and finish in Bedabo, a 
small village in the south central highlands near Isalo. The courses will 
loop along dirt trails used by villagers on zebu-drawn carts. Participants 
must cross a couple of small streams and run through a small rain forest. 
Most of the marathon course is routed through Isalo National Park, 
Madagascar's most visited park where the world's oldest dinosaur bones have 
been discovered.

Part of the proceeds from the race will be dedicated to building a 
community school that will specialize in teaching the eco-tourism and 
hospitality travel trades. Runners traveling to the island will also have 
the opportunity to sponsor local runners who do not have the means to pay 
the race entry fee. The country's average per capita income is 
approximately $240 USD per year.

Marathon Tours & Travel, North America's leading marathon niche tour 
operator, offers trips to marathons on all seven continents including 
Antarctica where it organizes the hugely popular Antarctica Marathon & Half 
Marathon. The company is also the Madagascar Marathon organizer and offers 
a variety of travel packages that showcase the island.

For more information, visit www.MadagascarMarathon.com write to 
 or call 1-617-242-7845.
  
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