FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Beth Cline
(703) 432-1165
ABC's Good Morning America Viewers Choose Marine Corps Marathon
QUANTICO, Va. - (February 15, 2006) - ABC's Good Morning America viewers
overwhelmingly chose the Marine Corps Marathon for Good Morning America's
Mike Barz to accomplish his new year's resolution of completing a marathon.
Narrowing down choices based on time of year and average temperature, the
features correspondent and weatherman offered the LaSalle Bank Chicago,
Marine Corps and ING New York City Marathons as his top three options.
Viewers were encouraged to vote for their choice on the Good Morning
America website. The Marine Corps Marathon prevailed as the viewer's choice
with 55 percent of the vote.
Poll results:
Marine Corps Marathon, 55%
ING New York City Marathon, 24%
LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, 21%
A competitive runner in high school and team walk-on in his first year at
Indiana University, Barz will train for the October 29 event with online
coaching from the Marines. He will join 30,000 runners on the Arlington,
Virginia start line.
"We are pleased to welcome Mike Barz to 'The People's Marathon' and look
forward to following his training along with the Good Morning America
viewers," said Rick Nealis, Race Director.
The selection of the MCM made by the Good Morning America viewers received
an enthusiastic approval from Good Morning America co-anchor Charles
Gibson, a Washington, DC native, who participated in the 1983 MCM and
finished in 3 hours, 43 minutes, 24 seconds.
Stay tuned to Good Morning America and the MCM for updates on Barz'
progress. For more information, visit www.MarineMarathon.com or
www.abcnews.go.com/GMA
The Marine Corps Marathon continues a combined tradition of dedication,
sportsmanship and patriotism. Since its inception, over 300,000 civilian
and military runners from all walks of life have participated, deservingly
earning the event its nickname "The People's Marathon." The 31st Marine
Corps Marathon will be held on Sunday, October 29, 2006. Rolling
Registration opens on May 17, 2006 at noon EST.
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