Contact: Des Moines Marathon
Helene Neville
Executive Director
(515) 710-8343
Alliance Technologies
Steve Sikkink
Executive Vice President
(515) 245-7777
Des Moines Marathon Surpasses 1,300 Registrations
With Just Over Two Weeks Until Running, Marathon is Already a World Class
Event
September 19, 2002 - Des Moines, Iowa - It's a matter of weeks before more
than 1,300 runners fill the streets of Des Moines, and the Alliance
Technologies Inaugural Des Moines Marathon is already a world-class event.
The inaugural run of the marathon has attracted over 1,300 runners from the
United States and around the world, including a number of those known as
"elite runners" in marathon circles.
"In a way, this is a convention and visitors bureau's dream," said marathon
executive director Helene Neville. "We've filled our host hotel, the Hotel
Savery. We'll have several thousand people coming to Des Moines to spend
their money. I'm impressed with the response and support from runners,
walkers and volunteers from around the world."
Runners to Watch
Elite and world renowned athletes will compete in the inaugural event for a
total purse of $14,000. Male and female winners will each earn $3,000 for
topping their group. Here's a run-down of the stories to watch unfold on
October 6th:
· Helen Klein, 79-year-old Marathon World Record Holder (age 75-80), Rancho
Cordova, California. Since taking up running at age 55, she has run 56
marathons and 131 ultramarathons. Among the world age group records she owns
are a 373-mile performance in a six-day road race (70-74 age group), and a
109-mile performance in a 24-hour track race (65-69 age group). Twenty eight
times she has covered 100 or more miles. Helen currently runs a 3:40
marathon and will attempt a new world record in Des Moines. She will be the
keynote speaker for the pasta dinner Saturday evening, October 5th.
· Hajime Mishi, 53, Tokyo, Japan. Mishi runs to raise awareness of
environmental protection for future generations and is the founder of
Ecomarathon International. Mishi is the first person to run a marathon on
all seven continents in seven months. The Guinness Book of World Records
certified his new world record "Fastest Time to Run a Marathon on Each of
Seven Continents." In 2000, Mishi became the first person to run 200
international marathons in 50 countries on seven continents, including all
50 US states and the District of Columbia as a non-North American resident.
Mishi will hold a workshop during the expo on Saturday.
· Robert Fletcher, 70, Fredericksburg, Texas. Fletcher has run 195 marathons
with a personal best time of 2:45.41. He is the author of Spaghetti Every
Friday, which is about running 50 marathons in 50 weeks. Bob will have a
book signing during the Expo.
· Jose Nebrida, 60, Chicago, Illinois. Nebrida, originally from the
Philippines, set out after the 9/11 attacks to complete a marathon in each
of the 50 states carrying a United States flag "to honor the victims and
heroes of September 11th." A heart attack in April slowed his pursuit of
the goal, but has not deterred him. Jose will be a featured speaker at the
Des Moines pasta dinner.
· Dean Rademaker, 77, Springfield, Illinois. Rademaker has run 72 marathons
and is the honorary host of the 50 States & DC Group whose charter is to run
in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The group will get
together on Saturday during the Expo.
· More international competitors
o Lawrence Mbota, 30, from Kenya (now resides in Minneapolis). Even with
walking the last six miles at the Austin, TX, marathon, he finished
with an impressive time of 2:28.
o Abdeljalil Essouysy and Elhajjor Aziz from Morocco
o Svetlana Savoslina from Russia
· Greater Des Moines runners to watch
o Julius Rotich, 27, West Des Moines. His personal best of 2:11 and home
course advantage make him a favorite.
o Marty Dalton, 26, West Des Moines.
o Debi Bull, 44, Des Moines. She's run more than 65 marathons with a
best time of 3:15.
o Nancy Hoegh, 49, Clive. Her personal best is 3:19.
· Visually-impaired runners include Don Owens from Des Moines and Tim Pauls
of Chicago.
· Wheelchair participant Kate Cloudsparks, a school nurse from Des Moines,
took up wheelchair racing in April.
· See the "Who To Watch" section of http://www.desmoinesmarathon.com for
more people to watch.
Volunteers Make the Event
"The best story is how the general public has embraced this event," stated
Neville. Volunteers will be involved in almost every aspect of the event,
using their time on the weekend to welcome runners and make for a
spectacular event. "The time these folks are giving is impressive." In
addition to individual volunteers, the following organizations are sending
groups to volunteer:
· Iowa Department for the Blind
· Leukemia Lymphoma Society
· EMC Insurance Companies
· Beaverdale Neighborhood Association
· LGBT Resource Center
· Big Brothers/Big Sisters
· Iowa National Guard
· Polk County Health Department
· Run Together
· Newton High School Boys and Girls Cross Country
· Urbandale High School Boys and Girls Cross Country
· Ballard High School Drill Team
· Johnston High School
· Dallas Center/Grimes High School
· Iowa State Bank
· Alliance Technologies
· Principal Financial
· Blazing Saddle
· Friedrichs
Sponsors and Supporters
Alliance Technologies is the title sponsor for the marathon's inaugural
year. In addition, a growing number of sponsors and supporters have come
forward to support the Alliance Technologies Inaugural Des Moines Marathon.
At the time of this release, the following are participating:
· Alliance Technologies (Title Sponsor)
· Iowa State Bank (Presenting Sponsor)
· UPS (Platinum Sponsor)
· Action Print
· ARAG Group
· BikeIowa
· Capital Striders
· Chippewa Spring Water
· Coca-Cola
· Darwin Custom Apparel
· David P. Lind & Associates
· EMC Insurance Companies
· Fitness Sports
· Fraser Medical Services
· GU Energy Gel
· HangTime
· Hy-Vee Weitz Construction
· KDSM FOX 17
· Kinkos
· MarathonGuide.com
· Modern Solutions
· 180 Energy Drink
· Peterson Design
· PowerAde
· Quintal Productions
· Russell Construction
· The Weitz Company
· Tosteds
· Townsend Engineering
· West Bank
· YMCA
About the Alliance Technologies Des Moines Marathon
The Inaugural Alliance Technologies Des Moines Marathon will be held October
4-6, 2002. The marathon will start in downtown Des Moines at 7 a.m., Sunday,
October 6. Marathon weekend will be a three-day celebration of sports,
fitness, health and wellness, including a Marathon expo, pasta dinner, kids'
.2-mile marathon and post-race celebration. To find out more about the
Alliance Technologies Des Moines Marathon check out
http://www.desmoinesmarathon.com on the Web or call (515) 710-8343.
About Alliance Technologies
Alliance Technologies is in the business of helping other businesses do more
through the application of technology. Alliance Technologies offers a wide
range of services that include connectivity (wide area and local area
networks), hosting services in our data center, software solutions and Web
services. On the Web at http://www.alliancetechnologies.net.
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