FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Patricia (Ball) Dlugokinski,
Race Director
313-222-6676 (office)
DETROIT FREE PRESS/FLAGSTAR BANK MARATHON ENTRIES AT ALL TIME HIGH
DETROIT (September 8, 2004) – Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon
officials announced today that over 6,600 runners have entered the 27th
annual event, scheduled for Sunday, October 24, making it the largest field
of entrants in event history. Last year’s event attracted 6,478; in 2002
entries totaled 5,104. With less than seven weeks to go, officials believe
total participant numbers may reach as high as 8,000.
The Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon is comprised of four running
events including the St. John Health 5K Fun Run and Fitness Walk, the
Reebok Five Person Marathon Relays, the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank
Marathon and, new this year – the International Half Marathon.
"The addition of the international half marathon has really created a lot
of excitement and enthusiasm and has boosted our numbers to record levels"
said marathon race director Patricia (Ball) Dlugokinski.
Dlugokinski continued, "We expect to reach our capacity of 2,500 in the
half marathon and 400 teams for the 5-person Reebok Relays within the next
week or two. We encourage all runners interested in these two events to
register quickly before it's too late". Registration for all events can be
done online at www.DetroitFreePressMarathon.com or by requesting an entry
form by calling 313-222-6676 or email at .
The majority of entrants are from Michigan, however, participants from 40
states are traveling to Detroit from as far as Alaska, Washington and
Maine. In keeping with the event’s international flavor, 39 countries are
represented including Canada, Kenya, Germany and Spain.
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, http://www.michigan.org.
The Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon, presented by Greektown
Casino is an annual 26.2-mile road race certified by the US Track and Field
Association. The Marathon is owned by the Detroit Free Press. Flagstar
Bank is the title sponsor and has been affiliated with the race since 1998.
The 2004 event marks the 27th year and is expected to draw close to 8,000
participants. The Marathon features six divisions: marathon (26.2-miles),
half-marathon (13.1-miles), Wright & Filippis Wheelchair and Hand Cycle
Competition (26.2-miles), Reebok Team Relays (5 person teams --
26.2-miles), and St. John Health 5K Fun Run and Fitness Walk (3.1-miles).
Prize money is awarded in each of these divisions except the 5K run/walk.
The total purse for the event is more than $30,000.
including the complete results, visit www.usatf.org.
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