FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dianemarie (DM) Collins
DM Productions LLC
(775) 825-1727
Marathon de Mayo Builds Strength Through Local Leadership
Local marathoner and race director, Fred Holabird joins the
Nevada Wide Open Marathon de Mayo team as its Race Director.
Holabird is responsible for leading the management team in
matters directly affecting the runners.
(Reno, Nev.) January 8, 2007 – Local marathoner Fred Holabird joins the
Nevada Wide Open Marathon de Mayo team as its Race Director. Holabird is
responsible for leading the management team in matters directly affecting
the runners. His local knowledge of the course and national race management
experience are welcome additions in building on the existing strength of
this international event held in Reno each May over the Cinco de Mayo
weekend. This year's event is held on May 6, 2007 … 05-06-07.
Fred Holabird brings both management and marathon experience to the second
annual Marathon de Mayo (MdM II). Beginning his career as a mineral
exploration geologist, Holabird was responsible for discovery and
production at two Nevada gold mines, overseeing their operations.
Currently, Holabird is President of Holabird-Kagin Americana, a division of
Kagin's, Inc focusing on American numismatics and currency, particularly in
pioneer western minor coinage. In addition, he continues his research in
mining and precious metals and consulting in the mining industry.
In his early thirties, running started out as a way to lose unwanted pounds
and lower his blood pressure … his first marathon was Long Beach Marathon
in 1985 … then it became his passion.
"I've run more than a 100 marathons over the past two decades. I qualified
and ran the Boston Marathon five times," Holabird stated. "I don't set
records. At 6'4" I'm too big, but I finished with a personal best of 3:00
hours. Before my hip replacement, I lived to run. Now I live to be outdoors
whether I run or walk."
Management of runs was a natural progression with the sport. He assisted in
the St. George Marathon as Race Advisor. In 1988 he and Ski Pisarski
resurrected the Silver State Marathon held at Bowers Mansion in the Washoe
Valley, which they co-directed for two years.
"My idea was to add other races to the Silver State Marathon so that we
could add more family runners to make it more fun. So, we added the 10K
race and it helped grow the race."
Holabird also participated in ultra-marathons, 100-mile runs, and became a
tri-athlete after hip surgery. That's where his experience led him to
become Station Director of the critical mile-62 aid station for the Western
States 100-mile Endurance Run, staffed by Reno's Silver State Striders.
Holabird was also race director for the prestigious Silver State 50 K / 50
mile (50/50) Trail Race, considered on of the toughest mountain runs in the
country.
Race director skills come naturally for Holabird.
"As a corporate manager and athlete, I was inevitably drawn to help manage
events like this. I love the healthy aspect of runs and I love our region,"
Holabird enthused. We have the best of everything here, and it's great to
introduce Northern Nevada sports to others outside of our area.
Executive Producer Doug Collins also thinks he's got the right director for
Nevada Wide Open Marathon de Mayo 2007.
"Fred has all of the right qualifications and management skills to make
this race world-class," Collins said recently. "He can add so much to an
already successful event that we can quickly and safely grow to the 8,000
to 10,000 runners we anticipate by 2008."
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