FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shirley Jiang
1360 124 0364
Or
Stephanie Hsiao
139 1076 8755
2007 ANA Beijing International Marathon
Running Through Modern & Historical Beijing
August 16, 2007 - The press conference for the 2007 ANA Beijing
International Marathon was held today at the press hall of the State Sports
General Administration of China (GSA). Representatives from the Chinese
Athletic Association (CAA); the title sponsor, ANA, international sports
marketing firm, Octagon; and other event sponsors were in attendance.
Sanctioned by the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF),
the ANA Beijing International Marathon is also approved by the Association
of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). It is one of the
highest-level marathons in world and has also become one of the most
popular running races in Beijing. Each year, the marathon attracts a large
number of international marathon enthusiasts and generates media attention
from all over the world.
The 2007 ANA Beijing International Marathon will be held on Sunday, October
21st and will start at 8 AM from Tiananmen Square. Similar to last year,
the marathon still includes four main disciplines: the Full Marathon
(42.195K), Half Marathon (21.0975K), 8K and Mini Marathon (4.2K). This
year the marathon will draw 24,000 runners and in order to ensure the
safety of each participant, the organizing committee will provide top-notch
first-aid facilities and personal accident insurance for each runner. Also,
in order to provide a better race experience, the organizing committee is
committed to strengthening the volunteer training and improving the level
of service associated with the ANA Beijing International Marathon.
Registration for the 2007 ANA Beijing International Marathon has already
begun. Runners may register individually or with a group and may also
conveniently register online or in person at any of the official marathon
registration sites. The organizing committee will invite elite level
runners from across to world to participate in the ANA Beijing
International Marathon, raising both the competition level as well as the
rank of the ANA Beijing International Marathon as a world-class running
event and a key race before the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Marathon organizers are proud to announce the participation of blind
marathon runner and Paralympic world record holder in the 5,000 and 10,000
meters, Henry Wanyoike of Kenya, in this year's marathon. Wanyoike will
run in this year's marathon along with a group of students from Beijing's
School for the Blind-their feat surely highlights the ANA Beijing
International Marathon as a humanitarian triumph and proof of what the
human spirit is capable of achieving.
Similiarly, the marathon organizing committee is also proud to announce
several new programs which will serve to enhance each runner's experience
and build on the overall reputation of the ANA Beijing International
Marathon. Keeping with the Olympic theme "Sports for All, Towards the
Olympics", this year's marathon will feature a several sports-related
activities at the National Olympic Sports Center (Full Marathon finish
area): Fun games which test one's sports ability; a Food Festival offering
a "Taste of Beijing" and emphasizing "balanced meals and healthy eating; a
Kids' Run to encourage children and their parents to exercise together; and
live music from some of Beijing's own local talent. The organizing
committee hopes that such activities will showcase Beijing's city energy
and charm; and also attract citizens from around the city to come out on
marathon day and celebrate Beijing.
Also new to the marathon program this year, is the addition of the ANA
Beijing International Marathon's "Moving with Beijing" Photo Contest.
Beijing citizens and marathon enthusiasts can now be a part of the marathon
without even having to run one kilometer! They can submit photos of how
they interpret Beijing's movement as well as photos from past marathons and
win great contest prizes. All contest entries can be submitted through the
official event website.
This year's marathon also aims to develop a stronger partnership with one
of China's major charitable causes. Promoting safety and aiming to give
back to greater China, the event organizers are proud to announce the
first-ever ANA Beijing International Marathon charity partnership with the
Red Cross Society of China. Marathon organizers plan to contribute to
disaster relief funds to the areas around China severely affected by the
floods earlier this spring. A portion of each registration fee, proceeds
from marathon merchandise sales and corporate contributions will all be
donated to this charitable cause.
The 2007 ANA Beijing International Marathon would not be possible without
the support of its corporate event sponsors. This year's sponsors include:
title sponsor, ANA; gold sponsors: SWATCH, CANON, DONGFENG HONDA; and
official sponsors: NIKE, POCARI, CHINA LIFE, and HYX. Media partners
include: CCTV-5, Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), SOHU SPORTS, and CITY
WEEKEND. The 2007 ANA Beijing International Marathon will be broadcast
live on CCTV-5 and TBS.
As the key themes of this year's marathon are "Sports for All, Towards the
Olympics" and "Running Through Modern & Historical Beijing", the marathon
organizing committee enthusiastically invites their worldwide friends to
visit and get to know the city of Beijing. Let us all follow in the
footsteps of the 2007 ANA Beijing International Marathon and keep "Moving
with Beijing!"
For further information, please visit: www.beijing-marathon.com.
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