FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Geneva Hampton
501-371-4639 or 501-351-7730 cell
Gina Marchese Pharis
501-918-5321 or 501-351-7700 (cell)
Runners Compete for Cash in the 3rd Running of the Little Rock Marathon
LITTLE ROCK, AR - After a successful prize purse underwriting campaign,
Little Rock Marathon race officials announced today that over $17,000 in
cash would be offered to top runners at the 2005 Little Rock Marathon and
Half Marathon. Both events are the highlight of a day of racing, which
also includes a four-person relay marathon, a 5K Fun Run/Walk and the
Little Rockers Kids Marathon and will take place on Sunday, March 6th. The
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette presents the Little Rock Marathon.
"We are a race for every pace and have an event for practically everyone,"
race chair Greg Hatcher said. "The majority of people do marathons for the
medals or the experience of crossing the finish line after months of
training. We are proud that we can give the biggest finisher's medal in the
world and create an amazing finish line experience."
"After the 2004 race, I felt like something was missing for the runners
that come to Little Rock wanting to win," Hatcher said. "We had a vision
for the Little Rock Marathon and over the last three years, we continue to
make that vision a reality. We hope to attract a new level of regional
runner, while we keeping in mind the reason we have a marathon - it's about
the participants."
Hatcher was willing to put his money where his mouth is. The Hatcher
Agency and other corporate partners have underwritten the prize money.
Prize money will be awarded in the following categories:
* Open Marathon (both Men's and Women's Events) - 5 deep
* Open Masters Marathon (both Men's and Women's Events) - 3 deep
* Open Half Marathon (both Men's and Women's Events) - 3 deep
* Open Masters Half Marathon (both Men's and Women's Events) - 3 deep
Over 6,500 participants are expected to participate in the Little Rock
Marathon and companion races.
In the 2004 race, more than 3,800 participants took part in four marathon
weekend events (marathon, half marathon, relay marathon, 5K and the Little
Rockers Kids Marathon).
More information is available online at www.littlerockmarathon.com or by
calling Greg Hatcher, Little Rock Marathon Chairman at 501-375-3737.
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Little Rock Parks and Recreation (LRPR) oversees 53 parks, four community
centers, the Adult Leisure Center, War Memorial Fitness Center, four
swimming pools, two tennis centers, the River Market, the Riverfest
Amphitheatre, three golf courses, and the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas
Military History. The LRPR system includes more than 5,000 acres of
designated parks and open space. In addition, the organization offers a
wide-range of youth and adult recreational and sports leagues, after-school
and summer playground programs for children ages 6-15, outdoor recreation,
therapeutic recreation and programs for seniors. Funds raised will
continue to support parks and recreational programs for all ages. For more
information about Little Rock Parks & Recreation please visit www.lrpr.org
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