FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BOSTON MARATHON LEGEND BILL RODGERS JOINS
INAUGURAL MELBOURNE & BEACHES MUSIC MARATHON
www.themelbournemarathon.com
- $12,000 Prize money
- Emphasis on Masters Divisions
- 20 live bands along course
- One of final qualifiers for 2009 Boston Marathon
- Scenic course during height of Florida winter season
MELBOURNE, FL (August 12) - Marathoning legend Bill Rodgers will join
runners from the United States and world at the inaugural Melbourne &
Beaches Music Marathon Sunday, February 8, 2009 on Florida's scenic Space
Coast.
Rodgers, the only person to win both the Boston and New York marathons four
times, will compete in the Masters Half-Marathon while lending his
expertise and accomplishments to the newest major certified marathon and
half-marathon on the international calendar.
"It's going to be a great race for everyone," said Rodgers, who continues
to hold numerous Open and Masters U.S. road-racing records. "The location,
the time of year, people coming to Florida from colder climates, the fact
this race is putting an emphasis on Masters runners in addition to the open
runners … it's a nice change of pace. I'm really looking forward to
running. This is a good race for the sport as a whole."
The Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon (www.themelbournemarathon.com),
Melbourne's Signature Sporting Event, will feature $12,000 in prize
money-$8,000 in the Masters divisions-and 20 live bands of all music
varieties. The marathon and half-marathon will utilize the intracoastal
waterway bridges while winding along two of Florida's most familiar and
picturesque roads, the Old Dixie Highway (US 1) along the intracoastal
waterway, and AIA along the beachside barrier island. There will also be a
5K race through downtown Melbourne.
All three races will finish in downtown Melbourne-followed by an awards
ceremony and street party featuring another live band.
"Our little corridor of East Central Florida has long deserved a classic
running event of its own," said event director Mitch Varnes. "There are
some very good regional events around here but nothing like we are planning
for the Melbourne & the Beaches. We've had tremendous enthusiasm and
support from the community, and our focus on the Masters, the course's
route along the Indian River and all the bands should make this a pretty
special run."
Added Chuck Galy, President of the Melbourne-Palm Bay Area Chamber of
Commerce, "The Melbourne-Palm Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is very excited
to have the "Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon" set to take here in
Melbourne this coming February. To have a top quality event like this
through which to showcase our area is fantastic! We are confident that
this event will quickly grow in reputation and popularity.
"From the chamber's business standpoint, the event is sure to bring many
new visitors to our area - visitors who will stay in our hotels, dine in
our restaurants, and shop in our stores. These visitors will get to
discover the beauty of South Brevard - and we're confident that when they
do, they will want to come back again and will also tell others all about
us."
Both the marathon and half-marathon courses will be USA Track &
Field-certified courses, with Champion Chip Timing. This is of particular
importance for runners trying to qualify for the 2009 Boston Marathon, as
the Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon will be one of the last
opportunities to do so.
With the prize money emphasis on the Masters divisions, Varnes anticipates
that many of the nation's elite 40-and-over men and women runners will
tackle the Melbourne course. One of those, Rodgers, sees the Melbourne &
Beaches Music Marathon as the nation's newest elite masters competition.
"This emphasis on the Masters divisions should get people to travel to
Florida and create a great race. With the beaches and music added, we're
looking at something that could be pretty big," Rodgers said. "Running is
unique in that people can reach high levels of performance at older ages,
and this race will bring that out."
Race officials are placing an emphasis on early-bird registration. Entry
fees are $70 for the marathon, $55 for the half-marathon and $25 for the
5K. From October 1 to November 30, those fees change to $80, $65 and $25,
respectively. Registration fees will increase further on December 1.
Registration is available on the official website,
www.themelbournemarathon.com or on www.marathonguide.com.
The Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon is sponsored by the Space Coast
Board of Tourism, Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, Florida Today, Melbourne
International Airport, Delta Airlines, Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront,
Health First, Space Coast Credit Union, and Beachside Performance Health
Studio, AG Edwards Flammio & Schultz Financial Group, WFIT and Space Coast
Living Magazine. Charitable beneficiaries are Lance Armstrong's LiveStrong
Foundation and the Brevard Symphony Orchestra.
The Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon is produced by Smooth Running
Productions. For more information, contact Mitch Varnes at 321-777-9935 or
email .
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