FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
World Class Marathon Added to Perth City to Surf Event Program
Organisers of the Perth City to Surf are working to assemble the finest
elite field seen in a marathon in Australia since the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
In 2009 for the first time a full 42.2km marathon will be run as part of
the 35th year of the running carnival in Perth, Western Australia. The
total prize pool of $120,000 is designed to entice Australia's best
distance runners, and to attract a solid international field. The prize
money will make the Perth City to Surf Marathon, in its inaugural year,
Australia's richest road race.
Event Manager Laura McKelvey said "In addition to assembling a quality
field the generous prize pool is also an investment in the vision we have
for the event. We are laying the foundations for growing the Perth City to
Surf Marathon into one of the world's premier city marathons".
With the World Championships in August 2009, many athletes will not be
committing until national teams are confirmed, however fallout from the
selections should benefit the event.
Athletics Australia has welcomed the inclusion to the event to the
Australian running calendar. Athletics Australia CEO Danny Corcoran said
"The Perth City to Surf Marathon is a fantastic new addition to the road
running calendar. The travel support and prize money on offer makes the
Perth City to Surf very exciting for distance running, nationally."
"The exposure the Perth City to Surf will attract is a real opportunity to
showcase our great distance athletes. We have a strong history in the road
events and this success helps to inspire new generations of athletes. The
Perth City to Surf Marathon will bring some of Australia's current road
champions to the west which we hope will really help to reinvigorate and
build distance running in Perth."
The course will take participants on a tour of some of Perth's most
beautiful scenery in a 42.2km path from the City to the Surf. Race Designer
Chris Letts has created an amazing course set to stand the test of time as
the event grows over the coming years. "We've been sure to allow for growth
of the event in designing this course. I wanted to be sure to take in the
Perth scenery and am pleased with how that's been achieved," Mr Letts said.
Participants will run along the river for the first half of the race before
heading in to beautiful Kings park and then on to the traditional finish at
City Beach.
The Marathon course whilst tough is deceptively fast which should make it
attractive to the elite field and also recreational runners wishing to
record entry times for world marathon events. "The speed on the downhills
makes up for the uphills," Event Manager Laura McKelvey said. "The hilly
part of the second half of the course is quite fast, the second half of the
course is our half marathon route and we've had some very fast times run in
the half marathon in its first two years".
Organisers have stressed that the marathon is there for anyone to enjoy,
not only serious runners. A city Marathon is unique in that it allows elite
athletes and recreational runners to participate in the same event. In the
company of some of the world's fastest distance runners, other participants
can achieve significant personal goals on the same course, on the same day,
in the same event. "We wanted to give members of the community an
opportunity to further their fitness aspirations and become part of the
ever increasing worldwide interest in marathon running," said McKelvey.
The Perth community will also be encouraged to get behind this special
event. Non-participants will be welcomed as spectators to offer
encouragement and support to runners along the 42.2km route. A festive vibe
will be created by the excitement of the race and the provision of
entertainment on course. Spectators can also share in the runner's
excitement and relief as they cross the City Beach finishing line,
exhausted and exalted by their great personal achievements.
The Perth City to Surf Marathon will be run as part of the Perth City to
Surf which also includes a Half Marathon, 12km Run, 12km walk, 11km
wheelchair event and 4km run/walk. Organisers expect participation to top
40,000 in 2009. The event will take place on Sunday August 30th. Funds
raised by the City to Surf will help Activ continue its mission to create a
better life for people with disability.
Web: www.perthcitytosurf.com.
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