FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IMT Des Moines Marathon Announces
Registration Discount for Chicago Marathon Athletes
Des Moines, IA (October 8, 2007) – The IMT Des Moines Marathon announced
today that it will extend an invitation to athletes registered for the
Chicago Marathon an opportunity to register for the IMT Des Moines Marathon
at a discounted rate of $15 off of the $90 online registration fee through
a special Active Network promotional code.
The Chicago Marathon, held this past Sunday, was faced with adverse heat
and humidity for a fall race and many runners either did not show up to
race, did not race to their full capacity or did not finish the race. For
many of them, this was their first time to run the Chicago Marathon or last
attempt to qualify for the Boston Marathon in April.
"The Chicago Marathon has a solid reputation and is one of the major
marathons in the United States. It is unfortunate that warm weather has
played a role in the months of training, anticipation and sense of
accomplishment for so many people.
We would like anyone who registered for the Chicago Marathon to know that
they are welcome to race with us in Des Moines. We have spent the past
twenty-hours ensuring that we can accommodate the needs of the additional
people on our streets, while serving the already record number of athletes
registered for our race," explained Chris Burch, Director of Racing and
Events for the IMT Des Moines Marathon. "I've met with key race officials
and we'll order more bananas, water, porta-potties and finisher
medals...let's race," continued Burch.
The IMT Des Moines Marathon is on pace to put a record number of athletes
at the starting line. Athlete registration numbers have surpassed the
4,000 mark in all races and already have more numbers in each race than on
race day last year, which was more than 3,400. A field of more than 5,000
is now forecasted on race day.
Race day on Sunday, October 21 features the sixth annual IMT Des Moines
Marathon and Half Marathon, Saturn 5-Person Marathon Relay Challenge,
Principal Financial Group 5K Road Race and Children's Center at Mercy Kids
Run. Current demographics reflect athletes who are primarily female (60%),
ages 30 to 35, from 43 states (72% Iowan), 2 tropical islands, Army Europe,
Canada and the United Kingdom. More than 1,300 are registered for the
Marathon and 2,300 for the Half Marathon.
The Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Sports & Fitness kicks off marathon
weekend. More than forty vendors are confirmed from around the country and
the Des Moines area to provide the latest in apparel, sporting trends and
recreational opportunities. The Expo is Friday, October 19 from 3 to 8 p.m.
and Saturday, October 20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Polk County
Convention Complex.
Runner's World editor/columnist and US Olympian, Jeff Galloway, will
keynote the Barilla Pasta Dinner on Saturday. The Expo is free and open to
the public. Barilla Pasta Dinner tickets are $15 and must be purchased in
advance.
For more information on the IMT Des Moines Marathon or to register for any
of the races visit the website at www.desmoinesmarathon.com or call
515.288.2692.
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