FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: George Banker
301-839-7957
Cell: 301-537-6739
NORTHERN CENTRAL TRAIL MARATHON ROLLING FOR THE 17TH YEAR
Baltimore, Md., July 22, 2006 - What matters to you in selecting a
marathon? Is it size, support along the course, organization, scenery, and
running with friends?
The 17th Northern Central Marathon will be held on Sunday, November 25,
2006, 9:30 a.m., in Sparks, Maryland. The race registration is limited in
the marathon to 500 runners and in the two-person relay to 80 teams. The
marathon cutoff time is 5 hours and 30 minutes (an average pace of 12:35
per mile). Each relay team member must run 13.1 miles and bus
transportation will be provided to the exchange point.
The entry fee for the marathon is $60 (current BRRC members $50) and the
relay is $80 per team. The late fee after October 31st is $70 (individuals)
and $90 (teams). There is no race day registration. A portion of the
proceeds will be used to help fund amenities along the NCR Trail, such as
rest areas. This race does close out early.
There is a $10 discount for any 2005 marathon registrant through October
30, 2006.
The NCTM offers less drama of the large city marathons. The out-and-back
course travels along the Northern Central Railroad Trail (NCRT) through
rural and scenic northern Baltimore County. The certified course starts at
Sparks Elementary School and travel 1.8 miles along gentle rolling hills
before reaching the flat NCRT. The course has a slight grade up for 11.7
north along a dirt and crushed stone surface and turning to come back 11.2
miles along a slight downgrade back to the 1.5 "gentle rolling hills" to
the finish at the school.
The Northern Central Railroad connected Baltimore with York PA. from 1838
to 1972. The railroad carried Union troops during the Civil War, and
Abraham Lincoln traveled this road to deliver the Gettysburg address. The
railroad was greatly damaged by Hurricane Agnes in 1972 and abandoned by
the railroad that year. In 1984 DNR converted the right of way into a
multi-use trail for hiking, biking, and jogging & running trail.
There is a $150 cash award for a new event course records for male and
female in the open and master divisions. Awards will be given to the top 5
male and female finishers. Also, the top 2 masters (male/female). Age
group awards will be based upon the number of entrants within each age
group (16-19, 20-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, and
65 and up). Relay awards are to the first place team only.
2005 Winners
Open
Remus Medley 2:43:08 Baltimore, MD
Holly Marcum 3:22:41 Annapolis, MD
Master
Michael Kichty 2:54:00 Pittsburgh, PA
Monika Modest 3:28:58 Boalsburg, PA
Teams- Men
SUB245ORBUST 2:47:13 Brian Sweeney, Ron Hess
Women
Flash 3:11:31 Jessica Sleight, Becky Ramsing
Coed
Run Forrest Run 3:00:19 Scott Smith, Mary Beth Cochra
The event records are holding up over time and what will happen this year?
Open
1995 Robert Marino 2:25:18 1998 Joanna Zieger 2:47:25
Master
1991 William Desmond 2:36:03 1996 Barbara Bellows 3:04:02
The records for the relay teams
Male
1996 Montgomery County Road Runners 2:34:44
Female
2001 Team Angie and Julie 2:50:44
Angie Howell and Julie Deutschman
Coed
2000 Team PK 2:48:50
Patricia and Paul Keating
Phil Anderson of Bel Air, Md., is the only participants who has completed
all 16 years with a best time of 3:42:24 in 1994.
"I enjoyed the course; I kept my mind on what Runner’s World said about the
race. At mile 22 my pace dropped and I started to hurt. It was shear
determination and rive that got me in. My best time so far has been 3:26",
stated Jon Stewart of Littlestown, PA, finishing in 4:02:02 (1998).
"I started having problems at mile 17. I’m a tough girl and I have a high
tolerance for pain. I was mad the entire time because I could not run
faster. Last year at Marine Corps I did 4:02", stated Kathleen Miller of
Bay Shore, NY, with a 4:09:12. Miller’s mother, Maureen Mauro finished in
5:03:49 and friend Judith Carroll finished with 5:03"48 for second in the
age group 50-54 (1998).
"We heard a lot about this race and decided to come down and give it a
shot. I was on a sub-3 hours run and coming back it was more difficult. I
started to feel it at 18 and I was trashed by 20. If I had to run this over
I would save more for the second half. I should have backed down, I was
1:31 at the half", stated Art Berger of Doylestown, Pa., finishing in
3:08:04 and first in the 55-59 age group.
For full race details, visit http://www.brrc.com or call the race hotline
410-377-7327.
E-Mail .
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