FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Williams Route 66 Marathon on Pace to Sell Out
Tulsa, Okla. (Sept. 5, 2012) – The Williams Route 66 Marathon, set for
Nov. 18, 2012, in Tulsa, Okla., is on track to sell out for the first time
in the race's history, the executive director said this week. With less
than 11 weeks to go until Tulsa's marathon weekend, more than three times
as many participants have registered online at route66marathon.com compared
to 2011. Members of the board of directors of Tulsa Route 66 Marathon Inc.,
expect the marathon and half marathon to hit capacity before the next price
increase at the end of September.
Participants should check route66marathon.com where each race will be
listed along with the percentage of registrations sold. This information
will be updated daily. As of Sept. 4, 2012, 64 percent of the marathon
registrations have sold and 55 percent of the half marathon registrations
have sold.
A record number of runners have pre-registered for the family of races,
including the marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, 5k run and walk and
one-mile fun run and walk. Walkers are welcome in all races.
"We are on track for record-setting growth in all races," said Chris
Lieberman, executive director of Tulsa Route 66 Marathon Inc. "We don't
want to see anyone left out, but in order to provide the safest and best
race experience to our participants from around the world, the board made
the proactive decision last year to cap the races at a 30 percent growth
per year."
Lieberman added, "We are thrilled our races have attracted growing
attention over the years. Our economic impact of more than $5 million a
year benefits the local running community and the Tulsa region as a whole.
We will keep expanding, but a planned growth rate will allow the board to
keep providing a world class experience for our participants."
Unique offerings such as the Center of the Universe detour; special medals
and VIP treatment for members of the Marathon Maniacs, Half Fanatics and 50
States Marathon Club; local training programs from Fleet Feet Sports Tulsa;
and the Williams Route 66 Marathon finisher medal receiving best medal in
North America designation from Marathon & Beyond have led to increased
awareness of this Tulsa event.
Another reason for increased participation is the Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Oklahoma Corporate Challenge. The program is designed to promote health and
wellness in the workplace and foster friendly competition within the
business community. Teams are divided into groups based on total number of
employees and will compete in four categories to win the BCBS Oklahoma Cup.
Registration for the corporate challenge is open until Oct. 1 or until the
events sell out and more information is available at
www.route66marathon.com.
To register, runners and walkers can visit www.route66marathon.com. This
is the seventh running of the Williams Route 66 Marathon, and the second
year the events encompass an entire weekend. The 2012 Williams Route 66
Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay are set for Sunday, Nov. 18,
2012. The 5k run and walk, fun run and walk and Mascot Dash are set for
Saturday Nov. 17, 2012.
About the Williams Route 66 Marathon
The 2012 Williams Route 66 Marathon weekend, presented by Blue Cross Blue
Shield of Oklahoma, in Tulsa, Okla., is set for Saturday, Nov. 17 and
Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012. Events are held annually the Saturday and Sunday
before Thanksgiving. The seventh anniversary of the Williams Route 66
Marathon weekend includes a two-day health and fitness expo, marathon, half
marathon, five-person marathon relay, 5K run/walk, and a one-mile fun
run/walk. Post race activities include live music and fun for the entire
family. The Williams Route 66 Marathon is committed to sustainability and
is the only event in Oklahoma to earn the ReSport Certification from the
Council for Responsible Sport for its green practices. To learn more about
the events, sponsoring, training or volunteering, please visit
www.route66marathon.com or e-mail questions to .
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