Press Release - Prague International Marathon - 2/20/12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

          Prague Eager to Welcome 19th World Congress of AIMS
		 
Prague (20 Feb): After record-breaking winter cold across Europe, the 
spring will soon greet Prague, the host city to the 19th World Congress 
of AIMS, the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races. 
AIMS member races voted for Prague to be the venue of the 19th Congress 
from 10-12 May 2012 at the previous AIMS Congress held in Athens in 
October 2010. This Olympic year also marks the 30th Anniversary of the 
establishment of AIMS, as well as the 60th Anniversary of Czech Olympic 
runner Emil Zatopek's three gold medals won in the 1952 Olympic Games in 
Helsinki.

The Congress will open on the morning of Thursday 10 May, and will 
continue through to Saturday evening (12 May) with a series of 
presentations, interactive workshops and seminars that revolve around 
two main topics: Women in Running and Innovative Technologies. More than 
100 marathon and long-distance race organizers from around the globe are 
expected to come to Prague, including those from the B.A.A Boston 
Marathon, the BMW Berlin Marathon, the Athens Classic Marathon, the 
Barcelona Marathon, the Comrades Marathon and many other honourable AIMS 
member races. AIMS' partners will attend and offer new ideas for 
improving the experience of participants in distance races.

Through the support and patronage of the City of Prague, the first 
evening of Congress will welcome guests to the splendor of the city 
through a dinner at the Mayor's residence, commemorating the 30th 
anniversary of AIMS. In addition to presentations and meetings the 
Congress delegates will have a full program of networking events and 
festivities, including the Marathon Sport Expo and Prague Spring Concert 
on 12 May.

Those interested in attending the 19th World Congress of AIMS should go 
to http://www.aimscongress2012.cz for registration and more information 
regarding the full program. Registration closes on Saturday 31 March 
2012.

To top off of the weekend, the Volkswagen Prague Marathon kicks off (and 
finishes) in Prague's famous Old Town Square. The course leads runners 
through a labyrinth amid Prague's most beautiful quarters. The Hervis 
Prague Half Marathon on 31 March sold out two months in advance, and 
registration for the Volkswagen Prague Marathon is likely to close 
before the end of March.

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