FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fifth Annual Christiana Care Health System
Delaware Marathon Running Festival
presented by New Balance Delaware to be held on Sunday, May 18, 2008
Wilmington, DE, September 9, 2007 – Registration is now open for the
Christiana Care Health System Delaware Marathon, 4-Person Marathon Relay,
and the Bell Supply Ten Mile Race on Sunday, May 18, 2008. More than 1,500
runners from all fifty states are expected to compete in Delaware's largest
(and oldest) marathon festival, which has sold out its last three years.
Entering its fifth year, the race organizers are pleased to announce the
addition of a presenting sponsor, New Balance Delaware, who will supply New
Balance technical shirts to all the participants.
The Delaware Marathon race course is flat and fast as the runners follow a
scenic ten mile out and back loop from Frawley Stadium on the Wilmington
Riverfront through downtown Wilmington and through beautiful Brandywine
Park. This first lap is followed by three 5.4 miles out and back loops from
the Wilmington Riverfront to the Kalmar Nyckel Shipyards on the East
Seventh Street peninsula. Both the ten mile course and the full 26.2 mile
marathon course have been professionally certified by the USA Track & Field
Association (USA-TF). In its first four years, 14% of the Delaware Marathon
field has qualified for the Boston Marathon and the four-person relay event
continues to grow in popularity.
To help celebrate its fifth anniversary, cash awards of $250, $200 and $100
will be presented to the top three male and female marathon winners and
$200, and $100 will be given to the top two male and female masters (over
40) winners. The top relay team will also share a $200 cash award. An
additional $500 will be given if the record for the fastest male or female
marathon ever run in Delaware is set. These records are 2:27:49 by Michael
Wardian of VA at our 2005 Delaware Marathon and 2:59:24 by Feng Sun of MD
at our 2006 Delaware Marathon. This cash award will be doubled to $1000 if
the Delaware Resident Marathon records are broken. Furthermore, $25 cash
awards will be issued to runners who set an event record by representing
their home state.
The Delaware Marathon festival includes a (free to the public) Christiana
Care Health Expo, the popular Run 1, 4 Fun one-mile, family friendly, fun
run; a running vendor exposition; music and entertainment on two stages; a
tented, seated hospitality garden; and a Not For Runners Only pre-race Carb
Party at Costa's Grill & Wine Bar. 2008 beneficiaries include The Center
for Heart & Vascular Health at Christiana Care; the YMCA of Delaware's
Strong Kids Campaign; and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in
Training program. The Delaware Marathon has donated over $45,000 to
charity in its first four years.
Applications are accepted via Active.com or at the Delaware Marathon race
website: www.races2run.com/marathon. For more information or to obtain a mailed application, contact Race Director, Wayne S. Kursh, at 302-654-6400. The Delaware Marathon, a recipient of a 2007 City of Wilmington Award, is a member of the Wilmington Visitors & Convention Bureau.
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