Press Release - Perth City to Surf Marathon - 6/30/10

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

           Tucker's Primed To Take On Perth City to Surf Marathon

Mark Tucker represented Australia at the 2009 World Marathon Championships; 
recently won the Great Ocean Road Marathon in Victoria; and in August 2010 
will challenge a contingent on international runners in the Chevron 
Marathon at this year's Rebel Sport City to Surf for Activ.

Mark lives in Melbourne and under the guidance of coach Bruce Scriven is 
looking to improve on his personal best Marathon time of 2:13:49 set late 
in 2008 at the Fukuoka Marathon in Japan. Mark also set an Australia record 
over 50km in 2008, and is well positioned to continue his improvement in 
Marathon running at the upcoming Rebel Sport City to Surf for Activ on 
Sunday 29 August.

"We are excited about one of Australia's finest Marathon runners making the 
trip to Perth to take part in the Chevron Marathon. The even offers 
Australian Athletes a unique opportunity to take on some of the world very 
best runners on home soil, as well as compete against the best local 
talent" Thomas Wagner, Media Manager.

His time of 2:21:57 was good enough to place 47th at the World Marathon 
Championships in 2009. After making the transition from middle distance 
running to long distance after the disappointment of missing the 2008 
Beijing Olympic team; the dream of representing his country at an Olympic 
Games is now firmly back within his grasp.

A 30 year old teacher from Melbourne, this is Mark's first trip to Perth to 
take part in the iconic Perth City to Surf. The Chevron Marathon is the 
richest road race in Australia. While $20,000 is up for grabs for the first 
male and female across the line, the Chevron Marathon also offers the 
fastest Australian runners the opportunity to share in a substantial and 
separate prize pool dedicated to local (Australia) athletes. This includes 
a $6,000 winners check for the first Australian male and first Australian 
female across the line in the Chevron Marathon.

Mark says his focus is on being as competitive as possible in the race, 
looking to position himself with the lead group in order to challenge for 
the win. Based on the winners times set in last year's City to Surf 
Marathon, Mark believes he is a good chance to win. "The time is not my 
main focus. If it is a competitive race and I am up there, the time will 
take care of itself" Mark Tucker. On the event Mark stated; "It is pleasing 
to see the standard of Marathon Running in Australia on the rise, with the 
Chevron Marathon playing a big part. I am looking forward to taking part, 
especially since I can race in a quality Marathon without having to travel 
overseas".

The Rebel Sport City to Surf for Activ is WA's largest community sporting 
event now in its 36th year and includes the Chevron Marathon, Westpac Half 
Marathon, Channel Nine 12km Run, Appealathon 12km Walk, Westpac 11km 
Wheelchair and the Nissan 4km Walk/Run. The event will be taking place on 
Sunday 29 August.

Organisers are expecting a field of over 40,000 participants across all 
events in 2010. Registrations are now open.

Further details about the Rebel Sport City to Surf for Activ can be found 
at www.perthcitytosurf.com

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