FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Patricia Ball, Race Director
DETROIT FREE PRESS/FLAGSTAR BANK MARATHON ON TRACK AS
USA'S FASTEST-GROWING MARATHON
Detroit (July 11, 2005) - Already known as the fastest growing marathon in
the USA, registration for the October 23rd Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank
Marathon is increasing at an incredible rate. With 15 weeks until race
day, event organizers have announced that registration for the marathon
race is running at a pace that is 41% ahead of the previous year and is
more than 71% ahead of the previous year's pace for all races combined - a
number which includes the marathon, 5-person relay, half-marathon and 5K.
In April, the marathon was recognized in the Road Running Information
Center's annual marathon report as the marathon "with the most consistent
growth in the past 5 years" - a period in which the marathon experienced an
average annual growth rate of 12.9% per year, nearly 7 times the national
average growth rate in the sport. With the substantial growth being
experienced with the 2005 registration, organizers expect that distinction
to continue.
"The course and finish for the marathon are arguably the most interesting
and exciting in the world. As more people have experienced the marathon,
its reputation has spread and the growth rate is continuing to accelerate.
Runners are telling us that we used to be one of the best kept secrets in
marathoning, but that the word is now out. The fact that the 2006 Super
Bowl will be held on the same field as the marathon finish is also
generating extra press for the 2005 race," explained race director Patricia
Ball.
The number of marathon finishers at the Detroit Free Press Marathon
increased by 20.8% from 2002 to 2003 and 26.0% from 2003 to 2004. The
current pace suggests more than 40% growth into 2005. The growth rate in
the other races which are part of the event has mirrored that of the
marathon with total event growth of 29.2% from 2002 to 2003 and 56.0%
growth from 2003 to 2004. The total number of participants in all races
combined more than doubled from 2002 to 2004 reaching more than 9,000 total
finishers in 2004.
"Beyond the course and convenience, runners are also choosing the Detroit
Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon as the perfect-sized alternative to the
crowded mega-marathons. The 2004 event saw more than 3,500 runners finish
the marathon and the 2005 marathon should have nearly 5,000 finishers.
That size ensures that participants are always able to run alongside others
and yet are never crowded and can get a fast start - it's the perfect
size," concluded Ball.
For more information visit our website at www.detroitfreepressmarathon.com
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All of the events during marathon weekend are endorsed by Travel Michigan
and the State of Michigan Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health &
Sports, www.michigan.org.
The Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon, presented by Greektown
Casino is an annual 26.2-mile road race certified by the USA Track and
Field Association. The Marathon is owned by the Detroit Free Press.
Flagstar Bank is the title sponsor and has been affiliated with the race
since 1998. The 2005 event marks the 28th year of the event, which was the
20th largest marathon in the USA in 2004. The Marathon features six
divisions: marathon (26.2-miles), half-marathon (13.1-miles), Wright &
Filippis Wheelchair and Hand Cycle Competition (26.2-miles), Team Relays (5
person teams -- 26.2-miles), and 5K Fun Run and Fitness Walk (3.1-miles)
presented by Compuware.
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