FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SunTrust Richmond Marathon Sets Event Entry Record
Combined Registrations for SunTrust Richmond Marathon, McDonald's Half
Marathon, NTELOS 8k & Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run top 12,000
RICHMOND, VA - The SunTrust Richmond Marathon and its companion events the
McDonald's Half Marathon, NTELOS 8k and Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run
combined have surpassed 12,000 entries for the first time in the event's
31-year history, the Sports Backers announced today.
"Marathoners from around the country continue to recognize the quality of
the SunTrust Richmond Marathon," said Sports Backers executive director Jon
Lugbill. "And the addition of the McDonald's Half Marathon to the popular
NTELOS 8k has given even more folks more reasons to travel to Richmond to
experience the neighborly fun of America's Friendliest Marathon."
As of Tuesday, October 28th, over 12,000 participants had signed up for the
SunTrust Richmond Marathon, the McDonald's Half Marathon, the NTELOS 8k and
the Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run, surpassing last year's total of
11,742. And with plenty of room for more participants and over two weeks
remaining to register, the Sports Backers expect that number to climb
substantially.
Registration still open -- Online registration for the SunTrust Richmond
Marathon, the McDonald's Half Marathon, the NTELOS 8K or the Richmond
Times-Dispatch Kids Run will be open at richmondmarathon.com until 11:59
p.m., Wednesday November 12. Late walk-up registration is available at the
Arthur Ashe Athletic Center during the SecureHorizons Health & Fitness Expo
on Thursday, November 13 from 5 to 9 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 14 from 11 a.m.
to 9 p.m. There is no race day registration or packet pickup!
Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run New Time and Location - The Kids Run will
now take place under the lights at Sports Backers Stadium (adjacent to the
Arthur Ashe Center) on Friday, November 14th at 7 p.m. Kids ages 5 through
12 can enter the one-mile fun run that starts and finishes on the track at
Sports Backers Stadium. Participants get a race number, T-shirt and a
commemorative medal.
New Start Times, Course Changes - The addition of the new McDonald's Half
Marathon this year has resulted in changes to the race schedule. The
NTELOS 8k will now start at 7 a.m. on Saturday, November 15th. That will
be followed by the McDonald's Half Marathon start at 7:30 a.m. Both starts
will be in the vicinity of 9th and Broad Street. The SunTrust Richmond
Marathon will maintain its traditional 8 a.m. start time at 7th and Broad
Street.
The SunTrust Richmond Marathon course includes a change at Mile 22 onto
Brook Road rather than Chamberlayne Avenue and adds a new stretch on
Lombardy Street past Virginia Union University to Grace Street. The finish
line for all events will move to 9th and Cary Street that will allow for
expanded competitor and spectator opportunities in the adjacent post-race
celebration at the James Center Plaza.
Other course changes to note are that the McDonald's Half Marathon will not
pass through Bryan Park as originally mapped. The new route takes
participants through Sherwood and Ginter Park neighborhoods. And the
NTELOS 8k course will be run on Broad, Mulberry, Grace, 3rd and Cary
Streets. For updates on final course changes go to
www.richmondmarathon.com.
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