FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jessica Blubaugh
KC Sports Commission
(816) 474-4652, ext.229
(816) 522-3840 (mobile)
Kansas City Marathon is Back in 2006
Waddell & Reed headlines local sponsors for world-class event
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Mar. 21, 2006) — Kansas City’s premier running event
returns this fall as the Waddell & Reed Kansas City Marathon brings another
day of fun, music, and friendly competition, all for a great cause.
Last year’s marathon weekend was a tremendous success, bringing in over
3,100 runners, nearly 1,000 volunteers, and hundreds of well-wishers
cheering the runners on to the finish line. This year’s races look to build
upon last year’s success, as new courses have been designed for the
marathon and half-marathon. Not quite ready to take on a full or
half-marathon? No problem, as the Waddell & Reed Kansas City Marathon also
includes a 5K run and marathon relay for all to enjoy.
The marathon, half-marathon, 5K run, and marathon relay will take place
Saturday, Oct. 7. The races will start near Crown Center and finish at the
Freight House district, after winding through miles of neighborhoods,
parks, and historic landmarks. Runners will experience many of the major
landmarks of Kansas City, including the Liberty Memorial, Westport, the
Country Club Plaza, Loose Park, Brookside, and the 18th and Vine district.
Participants in the half-marathon, marathon relay, and 5K run also will get
to experience some of Kansas City’s most notable districts as they make
their way through the improved, flatter courses and on to the finish. The
new course layouts can be viewed at www.kcmarathon.org.
The race weekend kicks off with The Health & Fitness Expo, featuring booths
from local and national health and fitness organizations. The Expo is open
to all runners, family, friends, and the public on Thursday and Friday,
Oct. 5 and 6, and will be held in Crown Center Exhibit Hall B. Other events
during the race weekend include the Waddell & Reed Kids’ "Fund" Run and the
"Taste of Kansas City" Food Court.
The marathon, half-marathon, marathon relay, and 5K will begin at 7:30 a.m.
The marathon course has been certified and is a qualifying race for the
Boston Marathon. Runners can sign up and review all details online
at www.kcmarathon.org. Packet pick-up will be held at The Health & Fitness
Expo in the Crown Center Exhibition Hall B. All runners must pick up their
race packets at The Health & Fitness Expo, as there will be no race-day
registration this year for any of the four races. A portion of the proceeds
will benefit two local charities: Children’s Mercy Hospital and the
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Runners also are encouraged to fundraise
for either organization. Log on to www.kcmarathon.org for more information.
Cheering sections also will be available along the route to encourage
runners and provide an electric atmosphere throughout the city. Residents
and local supporters, as well as friends and family, are invited to gather
along the route. Additional information on specific cheering sections will
be available closer to the race date.
Packet pick-up will be held in the Crown Center Exhibit Hall B:
.. Thursday, Oct. 5, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
.. Friday, Oct. 6, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Please note there will be no race day packet pick-up this year, and all
runners must pick up their race packets at The Health & Fitness Expo on
Thursday or Friday.
Based in Overland Park, Kan., Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (NYSE:WDR),
founded in 1937, is one of the oldest mutual fund complexes in the United
States, having introduced the Waddell & Reed Advisors Group of Mutual Funds
in 1940. Through its subsidiaries, Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. provides
investment management and comprehensive financial planning services to
clients throughout the United States.
Visit www.waddell.com for more information.
The Greater Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation aims to enhance
the quality of life and economic success of greater Kansas City by taking
the lead in maintaining and selectively acquiring a diversity of amateur
and professional sporting events; to collaborate with area economic
development agencies to attract and retain amateur and professional sports
organizations; and to promote the lifetime benefits of sports for the youth
of greater Kansas City.
Since its beginning in 1966, the Sports Commission has worked to promote
sports and recreation at every level. Since 1990, the organization has
helped generate in excess of $450 million in estimated economic impact on
the surrounding metropolitan area. The Sports Commission sponsors more than
25 annual events, including youth clinics, annual community and membership
luncheons, and community-sponsored athletic events. Visit www.sportkc.org
for more information on the Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation.
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