FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: JEN MCNEILL
Carey O’Donnell PR Group
(561) 832-3231
MARATHON OF THE PALM BEACHES SIGNS-ON VETERAN RACE ANNOUNCERS
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (October 22, 2004) --The Marathon of the Palm Beaches
has contracted Creigh Kelley, one of the best-recognized and talented
start/finish line race announcers in the country, as its lead race
announcer and Master of Ceremonies for the inaugural event. Dave Ragsdale,
publisher of Florida Sports and a recognized local and national race
announcer and television host, will serve as the co-announcer. In addition
to joining Kelley in providing color commentary and up-to-the-minute race
results, Ragsdale will offer more comprehensive insight on local notable
runners participating in the full and half marathons.
Creigh (pronounced Cree) Kelly has been working with the best and largest
running events in the U.S. and abroad for over 21 years, and has been the
announcer for the Walt Disney World Marathon, Danskin Women’s Triathlon
Series, Cherry Blossom 10M, Metropolitan Bank Triathlon, LA Triathlon, Road
Runner Akron Marathon, Seattle Marathon, Cellcom Green Bay Marathon and
many other prestigious races. He was selected by ABC Sports Radio as the
national track and field triathlon analyst for the 2000 Sydney Olympic
Games, and has served multiple times as the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials
start/finish line announcer. He has also provided expert commentary on
ESPN Radio for the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon and television commentary
at the Columbus Marathon.
Creigh is president of Winning Time USA and the national special events
management company, BKB Limited. His expertise in race announcing stems
from decades of experience as a competitor, race administrator and race
director. He is an executive committee member of the International
Federation of Sport at Altitude, a member of the USA Track and Field
National Long Distance Running Division executive committee, a vice
chairman of the Men’s Long Distance Running Committee and a founding member
of Running USA.
Ragsdale most recently served as the race announcer for the 2004 Miami
Aquathlon Series; the 2004 Ford New York City Triathlon; the 2004 Central
Florida Triathlon Series and the 2004 Disney Half Ironman. He has also
co-hosted Sunshine Network Television coverage of the Florida Great Escape
Triathlon and the Dannon Duathlon. For ten years he was the race announcer
for the Huntington’s Disease Benefit Triathlon in Key Biscayne and he has
served as the race announcer for the Komen South Florida Race for the Cure
in West Palm Beach.
The inaugural Marathon of the Palm Beaches, presented by Pontiac-GMC, will
be held on Nov.14, 2004 from 6:00 a.m. to noon. The event takes place over
a three-day weekend packed with race-related activities, including the
CityPlace Celebrity Mile hosted by West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel on
Sat., Nov. 13 and a two-day Sports and Fitness Expo on Friday and Sat.,
Nov. 12 - 13. The event is co-sponsored by WRMF 97.9 fm, ESPN Radio 760
AM, WIRK 107.9 FM, Sunny 104.3 FM, X 102.3 FM, BUZZ 103.1 FM, B106.3 FM,
Marriott West Palm Beach, The Palm Beach Post, Carey O’Donnell PR Group,
the City of West Palm Beach, the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach
County, Jacuzzi Brands, Michelob Ultra (Brown Distributing Company),
Wachovia Bank, Margaret Wilesmith Advertising, WPBF Channel 25, Trump Ice,
Tourneau, the Palm Beach Princess, the Port of Palm Beach, the Palm Beach
County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, American Airlines, CityPlace, Palm
Beach County Commissioner Jeff Koons, Dr. David Feld, Pepsi-Cola Bottling
Co., Brooks, GU Energy Gel and Thorlo.
For more information or to receive an entry form, please contact the
Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches at (561) 833-3711 ext. 225 or
www.marathonofthepalmbeaches.org.
###
|
