FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SunTrust Richmond Marathon On Pace To Break Event Entry Record
McDonald's Half Marathon entry record also anticipated;
Event features some course changes
RICHMOND, VA - The 2009 SunTrust Richmond Marathon is expected to set a new
record for the most entries in the event's 32-year history by race day. As
of Monday, October 19, almost 4,700 runners had registered for the
marathon, quickly approaching the record total of 5,109 that signed up for
2007's 30th Anniversary race. With three and a half weeks left to
register, a total marathon field of 5,300 is expected by race day on
Saturday, November 14.
The McDonald's Half Marathon, in just its second year, is also on pace to
shatter last year's entry record. Almost 4,500 participants are currently
registered for the race, meaning the 2008 race total of 4,619 should be
broken in the next week. A total of 5,500 Half Marathoners are expected to
register by race day.
Combined, the SunTrust Richmond Marathon, McDonald's Half Marathon, HCA
Virginia 8k and Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run are expected to have a
total field of almost 16,000 participants, well ahead of last year's record
number of 14,801.
The SunTrust Richmond Marathon will be held on Saturday, November 14
beginning at 8 a.m. at 7th and Broad Streets in downtown Richmond. It is
preceded by the HCA Virginia 8k at 7 a.m. and the McDonald's Half Marathon
at 7:30 a.m. The Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run takes place on Friday
evening, November 13 at 7 p.m. in the area surrounding The Diamond/Ashe
Center/Sports Backers Stadium.
Online entries for the SunTrust Richmond Marathon, McDonald's Half
Marathon, HCA Virginia 8k and Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run will be
accepted at www.richmondmarathon.org up until Wednesday night, Nov. 11.
After that, people can sign up in person at the Race Expo at Arthur Ashe
Center on Thursday, November 12 from 5 to 9 p.m. and Friday, November 13
from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. There is no Race Day registration.
Course changes for 2009. Both the SunTrust Richmond Marathon and
McDonald's Half Marathon feature course changes this year.
The SunTrust Richmond Marathon course now takes runners from Grove Ave. to
Cary St. via Maple Ave., rather than Granite Ave. The change comes at the
request of the Libbie & Grove Shopping Association. in order to show their
support for the race and promote their retail district.
The McDonald's Half Marathon course features more significant changes
designed to enhance the race experience for participants. The course now
take runners out and back on a portion of Brookland Park Boulevard and on a
loop through Bryant Park. As a result, the loop through The Diamond/Sports
Backers Stadium complex and the twists and turns through the neighborhood
surrounding Confederate Avenue have been eliminated. Course maps for all
the races can be found at www.richmondmarathon.org/course_info.htm.
Media credential requests due by November 1. Media wishing to enter the
finish line area to cover the event on November 14 must complete and
returned the attached Credential Request Form to the Sports Backers by
Monday, November 2. On site security will prohibit any media not wearing a
credential from entering the finish line area.
Running for a Cause. More than sixty (60) people touched by donation and
transplantation are running the SunTrust Richmond Marathon, McDonald's Half
Marathon or HCA Virginia 8K as part of the Donate Life Team. Donate Life
is the official charity of the SunTrust Richmond Marathon. The goal of the
Donate Life Team is to educate people about the importance of organ and
tissue donation. They will wear green Donate Life T-shirts to help spread
the word about recycling life. These athletes on the attached sheet, who
are running the 8k race, are interested in sharing their stories about
donation and transplantation. To arrange an interview with any athletes
please call Dena Reynolds, LifeNet Media Relations Manager, at
804-356-1220.
2009 SunTrust Richmond Marathon Event Schedule
Thursday, November 12
5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Health & Fitness Expo, Packet pick-up and walk-up
registration - Ashe Center
Friday, November 13
11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Health & Fitness Expo, Packet pick-up and walk-up
registration - Ashe Center
7 p.m. Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run at Ashe Center
Saturday, November 14
7 a.m. sharp 8k start (9th & Broad St.)
7:30 a.m. sharp Half Marathon start (7th & Broad St.)
8 a.m. sharp Marathon start (7th & Broad St.)
8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Finish Line Festival
11 a.m. Half Marathon course closes
3 p.m. Marathon course closes
For media seeking more information, please call Scott Schricker at 285-9495
x229.
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