FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Record Registrations for the GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon
Event Features the Strongest Ever Elite Field
(Victoria, BC - October 8, 2010) The GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon
will see its largest ever event in its 31-year history on Sunday, October
10. As of close of online registration on October 7, numbers show a 13%
increase over this time last year. With the Half Marathon sold out, total
registrations for the four events are now at 13,495. The elite field is the
strongest and most competitive in its 31-year history. To date 80 athletes
have been confirmed to run, doubling the total from 2009.
Registration is still open for the Marathon which to date has 3,075
registrants. The Half Marathon has 6,822 registered (an increase of 25%);
the 8K Road Race has 2,915 participants (an increase of 16%); and the
Thrifty Foods Kids Run & Marathon is at 683. Additional registrations for
the Marathon, the 8K and Kids Run & Marathon will be accepted at the Race
Expo until 6:30 pm on October 9 where it is predicted that the total number
of registrations could reach nearly 14,000.
"The 2010 GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon, Half Marathon and 8K Road
Race are shaping up to be one of our most competitive races with
outstanding athletes, young and old, competing from Canada, United States,
Australia, United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, Kenya and Japan," says Bob
Reid, Elite Athlete Director
Local runners competing include James Landry, Cheryl Murphy and Lucy Smith
in the Marathon, Jim Finlayson in the Half Marathon, and Peter Corrigan,
Kris Swanson and Kirsten Sweetland in the 8K Road Race. The women's
marathon will be an exciting race with Murphy defending her 2008 and 2009
titles, and Smith, who is on top form this year. Kristina Rody from Burnaby
and 2007 winner Suzanne Evans from New Westminster are also strong title
contenders.
In the men's marathon Landry will have some competition from three Kenyans:
Gilbert Kiptoo, Benard Onsare and Philip Samoei. "Past winners of the
Vancouver International Marathon, Benard Onsare and Mary Akor, are making
their debut appearance in Victoria and are sure to be threats, Onsare in
the Marathon, and Akor in the Half Marathon. Akor is a highly recognized
name in North America and is certain to shatter the current Victoria Half
Marathon course record." Finlayson, who came second in the men's half
marathon the last two years, will have Washington's Steve Crane on his
tail, as well as Swanson.
The 31st Annual GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon takes place Sunday,
October 10, 2010. The Victoria Marathon is ranked number one in Canada for
most Boston Marathon qualifiers and number two in Canada of top Boston
Marathon qualifying races. For the second year it will host the 2010
Provincial Marathon Championships. There is $26,000 available in prize
money with $3,000 each going to the top male and female, and a $5,000 bonus
for any Canadian that breaks the men's or women's course record. In 2006,
Steve Osaduik broke a 25-year record by winning the Marathon in 2:16:49. In
addition to the Marathon there is a Half Marathon, 8K Road Race and Thrifty
Foods Kids Run & Marathon. For more details, visit
www.runvictoriamarathon.com.
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