FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Keybank Vermont City Marathon Officials
Announce 25th Anniversary Plans, Celebration of Community
BURLINGTON, VT: To commemorate the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon's 25th
Anniversary this May, the organization announces celebratory events,
special recognition of volunteers, and appearances of notable running
legends. The marathon and relay is scheduled to take place on May 26, 2013,
and athletes Jeff Galloway, Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, and Bart Yasso
have all confirmed their attendance to help mark this milestone year.
"We want to celebrate everyone that has played a part in making the past 25
years successful ones," said Peter Delaney, RunVermont's executive
director. "We're doing this by making the race special for runners,
volunteers and the community by hosting volunteer events and including
notable runners in the race and events leading up to it."
Special appearances of several running legends will allow athletes and
their families to celebrate with the runners that have been an inspiration
to many throughout the years. Jeff Galloway is a world-class athlete and
member of the 1972 Olympic team, with victories including the Peachtree
Road Race, Honolulu Marathon, Atlanta Marathon and top place finisher in
many prominent U.S. races such as the Boston Marathon. Author of the
best-selling running book in North America, "Galloway's Book on Running",
Mr. Galloway will speak at the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon pasta dinner
on Saturday, May 25 and will also host "Jeff Galloway's Running School" the
same day.
Jeff Galloway, along with Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers and Bart Yasso, will
be present at the two day Sport and Fitness EXPO and are expected to
participate in the 25th running of the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon &
Relay. Frank Shorter won the gold medal in the marathon at the 1972 Summer
Olympics, and his victory is credited with igniting the running boom in the
United States of the 1970s. Bill Rodgers is a four-time winner of both the
Boston Marathon and New York City Marathon. Runner in Chief of Runner's
World Magazine, Bart Yasso, is credited for creating the Yasso 800s, a very
popular marathon training plan.
The 25th Anniversary event will celebrate the community that has so
generously supported the marathon over time. "The marathon relies on the
energy of over 1700 volunteers each year," said Delaney, "and this year
we'll honor that dedication in style." To recognize the greater community,
the organization is planning a volunteer event at a July 7 Lake Monsters
game, which will be open to anyone who has ever volunteered for the event.
Proving that runners all across New England and beyond are looking forward
to the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon, registration is ahead of pace for
2013. "With 2100 people registered, we're experiencing our strongest
registration since 2006". "We fully expect to sell-out this year," noted
Delaney, "the only question is how soon."
One factor contributing to the Marathon's strong registration is the race's
inclusion in the January, 2013 Runners World annual marathon guide. The
KeyBank Vermont City Marathon was included as one of only four Readers'
Choice selections. Michael Wardian, who has run over 150 marathons,
describes the event as a fast race your family will love and is quoted in
the article, "the competition at Vermont is great and [my sons] love it
there." Wardian also dispels the myth that the course is hilly. Rather, he
contends, "there are plenty of straightaways and downhills to get your legs
turning."
About the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon:
Celebrating its 25th year, the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon and Relay
annually attracts 8000 participants and an estimated 30,000 spectators.
Embraced by the community and supported by over 1700 volunteers, the
KeyBank Vermont City Marathon is a small city race with a big city feel.
Learn more at www.RunVCM.org.
About RunVermont:
RunVermont is a not-for-profit business focused on the promotion of a
healthy lifestyle. The organization offers competitive and educational
programs for adults and children including the KeyBank Vermont City
Marathon and Relay, the MVP Health Care YAM Scram, FirstRun, Ready, Set,
Run! and the Half Unplugged. For more information, visit
www.runvermont.org.
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