FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SunTrust Richmond Marathon, McDonald's Half Marathon, and HCA Virginia 8k
Bring Great Stories to Richmond Region
RICHMOND, VA - With 17,000 runners and walkers expected for the November 13
SunTrust Richmond Marathon, McDonald's Half Marathon and HCA Virginia 8k, a
number of great stories are emerging:
-Former Sports Backers board member and SunTrust Richmond Marathon runner
Kathy Ivins lost her battle to cancer over the summer. Her niece and
nephew-in-law are coming from Carlsbad, California to run with the Richmond
region in her honor.
-The McDonald's Half Marathon has seen tremendous growth in just three
years of existence. Over 4,600 half marathoners registered in 2008, rising
to 5,500 in 2009. For 2010, as many as 7,000 half marathon registrants are
expected. The half marathon distance has been the fastest growing segment
of the running industry for the past several years.
-Khiem Tran and Robin Gibson were complete strangers when they signed up
for the 2010 Sports Backers Half Marathon Training Team in August. Through
training for their first half marathon together, Khiem, 22, and Robin, 50,
have become great running buddies -generation gap and all.
-Kevin Carpenter was a normal guy. He had run three marathons and was
training for another when he dropped to the ground with no warning while
running on a treadmill at a local YMCA, suffering from sudden cardiac
death. He was rushed to Chippenham Medical Center where he was treated by
his physician and marathon training buddy, Jiho Han. Kevin is running
again, and completed the SunTrust Richmond Marathon in 2008 with Han by his
side. The two have been running side by side ever since, as friends and
teammates rather than doctor and patient.
-John Zacharias & now-wife Lara met when training with the Sports Backers
Marathon Training Team in 2002. A few years and a few kids later, they are
both running this year - Lara running the full and John running the half
marathon.
-The SunTrust Richmond Marathon has partnered with the Richmond
Times-Dispatch to create the new Richmond Times-Dispatch Community Cheer
Challenge to boost entertainment and excitement along the SunTrust Richmond
Marathon, McDonald's Half Marathon, and HCA Virginia 8k courses. Prizes of
up to $500 will be awarded based on originality, theme, decorations, crowd
size, and spirit. The RTD Community Cheer Challenge will also provide
groups with up to $250 to cover the cost of hosting their party to cheer on
the runners. All the details are on the race website -
http://richmondmarathon.org/spirit_contest.htm.
-Jessica Jenkins has recently lost over 100 pounds through running and is
training with the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team for the SunTrust
Richmond Marathon.
-Dana Casanave is running 52 marathons in the 52 weeks of 2010. The
SunTrust Richmond Marathon will be #42 in her journey.
The SunTrust Richmond Marathon, McDonald's Half Marathon, and HCA Virginia
8k are accepting online entries for the November 13, 2010, event at
www.richmondmarathon.org.
Donate Life is once again the official charity of marathon weekend,
promoting organ and tissue donation. More than 60 people touched by
donation and transplantation, including donor families, transplant
recipients, living donors and transplant professionals are participating in
the SunTrust Richmond Marathon, McDonald's Half Marathon and HCA Virginia
8k as part of Team Donate Life. To hear some of their amazing stories, see
the attached document or contact Anne Paschke at (804) 782-4909.
###
|
