FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW RACE ROUTE, EXPO LOCATION IN WYNWOOD PUT BEAUTY AND CULTURE OF MIAMI
ON DISPLAY DURING 14th ANNUAL MIAMI MARATHON WEEKEND JANUARY 23-24
Estimated 25,000 runners to experience weekend events and
all that makes "Miami Famous"
MIAMI, Fl. (Nov.2, 2015) - For those who've had the Miami Marathon on their
bucket list, 2016 is their year. Marathon officials announced today that
for the first time in event history, the estimated 25,000 international
field of runners will experience a new race course and expo location;
giving a diverse snapshot into the culture and beauty that make Miami one
of the world's unique running destinations.
The annual January tradition, owned and produced by Life Time - The
Healthy Way of Life Company, draws participants from all 50 states and more
than 80 countries. In fact, more than 22% of participants come from outside
of the United States. In 2016, the marathon will return to the streets of
downtown Miami, Miami Beach and Coconut Grove but will use the picturesque
MacArthur Causeway in both directions during the Miami Beach leg of the
race to accommodate the massive construction rebuild taking place on the
neighboring Venetian Causeway.
In addition, the popular Expo, held January 22-23 and annually
attended by more than 35,000 runners and fitness enthusiasts, will move to
the Mana Event Hall in the culturally diverse Wynwood neighborhood of
downtown Miami. Wynwood is a bustling neighborhood, home to a lively art
scene and eclectic wall murals designed by more than 50 artists that have
revived the old warehouse district. Expo visitors can expect to meet local
celebrity artist Jenny Perez as she showcases the official 2016 Miami
Marathon Finisher medal neck ribbon, which she has designed. There will
also be a live performance of the new Miami Marathon theme song "Go!",
written by Race Director Javier Sanchez and performed by local band El Side
Project.
Race registrations are trending significantly higher than 2015 thanks
to the marathon's growing profile in Latin America. "We're very excited to
see the aggressive rate of early registrations," said Race Director Javier
Sanchez. There's a chance that the race could sell out for the first time
ever in early January with people from all over the world wanting to run
Miami and I hope anyone wanting to take on the Miami challenge will make
2016 their year."
The marathon will begin at 6 a.m. on January 24 and start outside the
American Airlines Arena, travel back and forth to South Beach across the
MacArthur Causeway then through Downtown Miami, Coconut Grove, and Brickell
Avenue, before it finishes at Bayfront Park with a an always jubilant
post-event celebration.
Also taking place on Sunday, more than 5,000 South Florida middle
school students will participate in Kids Run Miami at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
The 1.2 mile run from the county courthouse on Flagler Street culminates a
15-week program designed to promote fitness to kids. Another nearly 3,000
participants will take part in the annual Tropical 5K, a great family event
held Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m.
"We are proud to host South Florida's premier running event and
showcase one of the running world's most picturesque courses, providing
participants a glimpse of all that makes Miami famous," said Sanchez.
The Miami Marathon & Half Marathon is the third event of the
five-race Florida Storm Series, which challenges runners to participate in
three to five racing events in Florida during the 2015-2016 season. Other
events include the upcoming Michelob ULTRA Fort Lauderdale 13.1 Marathon®
on November 15, 2015, the EAU Palm Beach Marathon & Run Fest on December 6,
2015, the Michelob ULTRA Miami Beach 13.1 Marathon® on March 6, 2016, and
the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon and Relay on March 13, 2016.
For more information or to register for the Miami Marathon, visit
themiamimarathon.com or facebook.com/MiamiMarathon. More information about
Life Time Athletic Events is available at EventsByLifeTime.com, on Twitter
@lifetimefitness and the Life Time Athletic Events Facebook page.
2016 MIAMI MARATHON FACT SHEET
Date: Sunday, January 24, 2016
Start Time: 6:00 AM for wheelchair
6:15 AM for Miami Marathon and Half Marathon®
Participants: 25,000 in marathon and half marathon; 5000 children in the
Kids Run Miami and 3,000 runners in the Tropical 5K held one day prior.
Marathon Registration:
$130 through December 3, 2015
$140 December 4, 2015-January 14, 2016
$150 January 15, 2016 through Walk up at Expo
Half-Marathon Registration:
$105 through December 3, 2015
$115 December 4, 2015 - January 14, 2016
$125 January 15, 2016 through January 21, 2016
$150 Walk up at Expo
Start Location:
American Airlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33131
Finish Location:
Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33131
Course Records: Marathon
Men's: David Ruto 2:12:22 (2003)
Women's: Hiromi Ominami, 2:34:11 (2006)
Half Marathon
Men's: Brian Sell, 1:03:46 (2008)
Women's: Aziza Aliyu 1:15:06 (2011)
Other Events:
Friday, January 22 and Saturday, January 23 - The Health & Fitness Expo
presented by The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald is one of the largest
health expos in the region (expected attendance of 35,000). The Expo will
be held at Mana Event Center in Wynwood and will be open 12 Noon to 7 PM
Friday and 10 AM - 6 PM on Saturday.
Saturday, January 23 Tropical 5K, 7:30 AM
Sunday, January 24 Finish Line Celebration at Bayfront Park 6:30 AM to
1:00 PM.
About the Miami Marathon
The Miami Marathon is Florida's elite distance race with 25,000 runners
representing all 50 states and more than 80 countries converging on Miami
and South Beach to experience one of the most unique courses in the world.
The race has come a long way since 3,400 runners participated in the first
Miami Marathon in 2003. Participants include elite runners, top age-group
competitors, and many thousands who run for charity and to achieve their
own personal goals. Together they enjoy the tropical views and the sounds
of South Florida, with a diverse array of entertainment blended into the
experience, and generate more than $50 million in total economic impact for
the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County.
About Life TimeSM, The Healthy Way of Life Company
Life Time is a privately held, comprehensive health and lifestyle company
that offers a personalized and scientific approach to long-term health and
wellness. Through its portfolio of distinctive resort-like destinations,
athletic events and corporate health services, the Healthy Way of Life
Company helps members achieve their goals everyday with the support of a
team of dedicated professionals and an array of proprietary health
assessments. As of October 13, 2015 the company operates 117 centers in 26
states and 34 major markets under the LIFE TIME FITNESS® and LIFE TIME
ATHLETIC® brands in the United States and Canada. Additional information is
available at www.lifetimefitness.com.
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