FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Scott Schricker
(804) 285-9495
SunTrust Richmond Marathon breaks entry record
Times-Dispatch Kids Run shatters mark; NTELOS 8k also on record pace
RICHMOND, VA - The SunTrust Richmond Marathon has set a new record for the
most entries in its 28-year history. As of midday, over 4,300 runners had
registered for the marathon, breaking last year's record total of 4,221.
With one and a half weeks left to register, a total field of over 4,700 is
expected by race day on Saturday, November 12. This is the seventh
consecutive year that the marathon has set a new entry record. The
marathon's companion race, the NTELOS 8k, is on pace to shatter the record
field of 4,037 participants set in 2003 with about 4,500 expected next
week.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run has also set a record for the number
of entries. As of midday today, over 650 kids ages 6 through 12 are
already signed up. Last year's record field topped out at 582 registrants.
The SunTrust Richmond Marathon will be held on Saturday, November 12
beginning at 8 a.m. at 7th and Broad Streets in downtown Richmond. The
NTELOS 8k will follow at 8:35 a.m at 9th and Broad Streets. The Richmond
Times-Dispatch Kids Run will begin at 9th & Main Streets at 8:15 a.m.
Online entries for the SunTrust Richmond Marathon, NTELOS 8k and Richmond
Times-Dispatch Kids Run will be accepted at www.richmondmarathon.com up
until Wednesday night, Nov. 9. After that, people can sign up in person at
the Race Expo at the Omni Richmond Hotel on Thursday, November 10 from 4 to
8 p.m. and Friday, November 11 from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. There is no Race
Day registration.
Running for a Cause. More than twenty people directly touched by donation
and transplantation are running the SunTrust Richmond Marathon or the
NTELOS 8K as part of the Donate Life Team. Donate Life is the proud
beneficiary of the SunTrust Richmond Marathon. The goal of the Donate Life
Team is to educate people about the importance of organ and tissue
donation. They will wear green Donate Life T-shirts to help spread the
word about recycling life. These athletes on the attached sheet, who are
running the 8k race, are interested in sharing their stories about donation
and transplantation. To arrange an interview with any athletes please call
Dena Reynolds, LifeNet Media Relations Manager, at 804-356-1220.
Media credential requests due by November 2. Media wishing to enter the
finish line area to cover the event on November 12 must complete the
attached Credential Request form and fax it back by tomorrow, Wednesday,
November 2. On site security will prohibit any media not wearing a
credential from entering the finish line area.
Road closings on Race Day. As the field for the SunTrust Richmond Marathon
has grown, so has the need for increased street closings to accommodate the
thousands of participants. Attached is a list of street closings and
detours that will be in effect on Race Day. The primary message that
motorists should heed when traveling on race day is to travel by interstate
whenever possible.
Party locations cater to spectators. Friends or relatives wanting to
spectate along the course will want to visit one of the special
SunTrust/NBC 12 Party Zones. Each location will feature music,
refreshments and an on-air personality. These Party Zones will serve as a
hub for spectators to show their support and enthusiasm. Party Zones will
be located at:
1. Starbucks at River Road Shopping Center Party (Mile 7)
2. CVS on Forest Hill Avenue (Mile 13)
3. Buzz & Ned's BBQ on The Boulevard (Mile 19.5)
Detailed driving directions between Party Zones, aimed at avoiding road
closures and traffic backups are available on the race website.
RichmondMarathon.com provides updated news. The best place for runners and
the media to get updated news about the SunTrust Richmond Marathon,
including traffic information and race day parking, is at
www.richmondmarathon.com.
###
|
