FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Detroit Free Press / Flagstar Marathon to Provide 2:47 Pacers
for Women's Olympic Trials Hopefuls
DETROIT - (May 14, 2007) - This fall many female Olympic hopefuls will be
running the marathon to achieve the qualifying standard for the 2008 U.S.
Olympic Marathon Trials, and there is one marathon that is providing an
extra incentive for the runners. On Sunday, October 21, the Detroit Free
Press / Flagstar Marathon will be providing official pacers for the 2:47
U.S. women's Trials "B" standard.
Since 2003, Detroit has provided a Pace Team and for the last several
years, the Pace Team offered every Boston qualifying time so that runners
wishing to achieve that standard might have the on-course support of a
pacer. That program has proved to be a big success and last year, there
were 18 pacers offering a variety of times.
"Our marathon course is flat and fast and we know it's served as a great
course for those athletes wishing to qualify for the Boston Marathon," said
Patricia Ball, Race Director. "Since the 2008 U.S. Women's Olympic Marathon
Trials will be hosted by Boston in April, we felt that women looking to
qualify would find Detroit to be a logical choice. By offering a pacer for
the 2:47 time, we are hoping to provide support for those talented
athletes."
"The pacers will be provided by the marathon in accordance with USATF rules
as registered runners in the event. They will be running consistently even
splits to finish the race in exactly 2:47:00 which is a 6:22 min/mile
pace," said Jim Crist, Director of the Pace Team.
Any registered runner may run with the pacer. The 2:47 pacer will start in
the first corral and any woman wishing to start there need only submit a
prior marathon finish time of 3:00 or better. Any questions on this support
program may be emailed to:
The Detroit Free Press / Flagstar Marathon, an annual 26.2-mile road race
certified by the USA Track & Field, is owned by the Detroit Free Press, and
Flagstar Bank, the title sponsor, has been affiliated with the race since
1998. According to Running USA, the race was one of the largest 25 U.S.
marathons based on finishers last year. The 2007 event marks the marathon's
30th anniversary, and all of the events during marathon weekend are
endorsed by Travel Michigan and the State of Michigan Governor's Council on
Physical Fitness, Health & Sports.
For more information, go to: www.DetroitFreePressMarathon.com.
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