FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jim Barnett, Executive Race Director
(330) 657-2224
Road Runner Akron Marathon Celebrates 5th Year
with Half Marathon and New Expo Site in 2007
Akron, OH – The Road Runner Akron Marathon (RRAM) invites you to lace up
your running shoes in 2007 and make a New Year's Resolution to "Run the
Bird!" 2007 marks the fifth anniversary of the Road Runner Akron Marathon
and race organizers are planning a full list of promotions and activities
to mark the milestone.
As a part of the anniversary celebration, a new half marathon will be added
to the overall event on Saturday, September 29, 2007. "With the addition of
the half, we now offer a distance for nearly everyone. Now is the time to
put your training programs in place and strive to achieve your personal
best," said Amy Freeman, Operations Director. Race weekend will now include
the traditional 26.2-mile marathon, the new 13.1 mile half marathon, a
2-person relay, a 5-person relay and a 1K Kids Fun Run. "We are excited to
offer a half marathon and to announce it at a time of year when so many of
us are thinking about health and fitness. This is the first of five big
announcements you can expect this year," said Anne Bitong, Marketing
Director.
The half marathon course is being designed in conjunction with the other
distances offered. "The final course route is still under review but we
have plans of utilizing the existing course as much as possible with the
same start and finish," said Jim Barnett, Executive Race Director. With the
popularity of a half marathon being the fastest growing distance in running
events, it is still undecided whether RRAM will limit registrants like
other races. "The marathon and team relays have been a huge success and we
believe the half marathon will attract new runners to race weekend. This is
another opportunity for our community to embrace our race," said Jim
Barnett. RRAM will be evaluating title sponsor opportunities for the
half-marathon and hopes to make an announcement by the first quarter of
2007.
In addition to the half marathon announcement, The University of Akron
Health and Fitness Expo will be moving to a new location in 2007. The expo,
which takes place on Friday, September 28, 2007, has out-grown The
University of Akron's Field House where it was previously held and is
excited to return to the John S. Knight Center.
The Road Runner Akron Marathon, already selected as one of the 50 great
marathons in the country (Fairbanks to Boston - 50 Great U.S. Marathons),
is also Akron's largest single-day sporting event and is devoted to
promoting health & fitness and economic development for our region.
Registration for the marathon, half marathon and Chase team relays have
already begun. Runners may register online at www.akronmarathon.org.
For information regarding the 2007 Road Runner Akron Marathon, please visit
www.akronmarathon.org.
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