Press Release - St. George Marathon - 9/24/04

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                         Contact: John Bradley
                                                  (435) 634-5850
                                                  

            ELITE FIELD ANNOUNCED FOR ST. GEORGE MARATHON

St. George (September 24, 2004)  -  The Largest single day event in 
Southern Utah which includes 6200 runners and over 1700 volunteers will 
provide some exciting competition. Recently selected by Runners World 
Magazine as one of the top 4 Marathons in the world "To build a vacation
around," the 2004 Marathon will be led by St. George Marathon veterans 
Corbin Talley and Ken Pliska. Talley a native of Farmington, UT has placed 
in the top 4 in the Salt Lake, Deseret News/KJZZ and St. George Marathon's.  
This past spring, Talley placed 49th in the Olympic trials. Ken Pliska from 
Littleton, MA was the Second U.S. Finisher in the 2003 Boston Marathon and 
18th overall runner. Last year, Pliska raced to a 2:20:48 time winning him 
Second place in the St. George Marathon. He also had an 2004 Olympic Trial
time of 2:29:01 placing him 56th overall.

Other runners with experience will be in line competing for the chance to 
attend the Ibigawa Marathon in Japan. These include Boise Marathon and Top 
of Utah Marathon winner Alexander Pachev and consistent top 3 placer in the 
Flying Pig Marathon, Isaac Barnes. The Top Overall Male and Female
as well as the Top Masters Male and Female receive an all expense paid trip 
to Japan for the November 14, 2004 Ibigawa Marathon.  Five time St. George 
Marathon Masters champion Jerry Henley will also be returning.

The women's race is led by St. George Marathon veterans Suzy Schumacher and 
Brenda Graham-Gray both projecting 2:43:00 times. Suzy Schumacher placed 
3rd in the 2003 Chicago Half Marathon and ran a 2:56:23 at the 2004 Olympic 
Trials. Last year's St. George Marathon 3rd place winner Brenda
Graham-Gray, comes from Rock Springs, Wy.  Brenda also has an impressive 
running resume with a recent 10th place finish at the Salt Lake Marathon 
and a personal best 2:44:22.  Other top contending females include Salt 
Lake City runner Julie Thomas, Cheryl Harper from Orem, UT and Mary Ann 
Protz from St. Petersburg, FL. Protz placed Second in Overall
Female in the 2004 Disney Marathon and  Harper has previously won the 1986 
and 1991 St. George Marathons.


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