FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
More Then 25,000 Expected To Participate In
14th Annual GO! St. Louis Matathon & Family Fitness Weekend
Top American and International Elite Athletes Compete
for $17,000 in Half Marathon Prize Money
Marathon Relay Sold Out at 650 Teams, Entries Still Available in
Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K, Children's Fun Runs and Mature Mile
ST. LOUIS (MO) – April 1, 2014 - GO! St. Louis, a local not-for-profit
organization that specializes in providing fitness events and programs for
the region on a year-round basis, announced today that the 2014 GO! St.
Louis Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend, set for April 5 & 6
continues to attract thousands of participants from all over the United
States and many foreign countries. The 14-year fitness event started in
2000 with 2,500 participants and has grown to become a major civic event
and the largest competitive fitness event in Missouri. It is also a top
race destination for runners from across the country. An estimated 25,000
participants will compete in one of the 10 different events over the
weekend. Additionally, more than 30,000 spectators will line the various
race courses to support participants.
The GO! St. Louis Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend is an event that was
created for all ages and fitness abilities and features a Marathon -
presented by Mercy, Half Marathon - presented by PNC Bank, Marathon Relay -
presented by Lockton Companies, 5K Run/Walk, GO! St. Louis Read, Right and
Run Marathon® - presented by Express Scripts, Children's Fun Runs and a
Mature Mile.
Some of the top American and International athletes will be
competing this year in the Half Marathon, and vying for $17,000 in total
prize money in both the men's and women's divisions. For a complete list of
elite athletes visit http://gostlouis.org/events/marathon-family-fitness-
weekend/elite-athlete-program/
Among the variety of features this year is a theme celebrating
the event as a St. Louis Original, which included a series of video
announcements from local celebrities highlighting the race course, and all
of the people, places and venues that make St. Louis original. In addition,
St. Louis-themed finish line food, such as: Ted Drewes Frozen Custard,
Dad's Oatmeal Cookies, Pasta House Toasted Raviolis, Michelob ULTRA and
Companion pretzel sticks will be offered to participants. Also,
participants on the course will enjoy a special chocolate station,
compliments of Crown Candy Kitchen.
Event Highlights
Participation in the Marathon Relay has increased dramatically since 2008,
when 265 teams registered. The Marathon Relay sold out this year at 650
total teams. Teams are comprised of four people, who each run approximately
6 miles each, to complete a full 26.2 marathon. Categories include
corporate, coed and friends and family.
The 5K Run/Walk highlights the Family Fitness Day on April 5 in Forest
Park. More than 3,000 participants will take part this year, including
hundreds of young students in the Middle School Milers program. Saturday's
Family Fitness Day in Forest Park will feature people ranging in ages from
a young toddler, crawling across the finish line in the Diaper Dash to two
101-year-old participants (Mary Tomazi and Elsa Hotfelder) in the Mature
Mile. More than 10,000 people, including more than 6,000 children are
expected to attend.
Holy Hill features a Race within a Race. This two-mile hill stretches from
Mile 6 to 8, and is a slow steady climb. Participants in the Marathon and
Half Marathon will receive a separate time on this portion of the course,
with “Kings & Queens of the Hill” finisher medals and chocolate bars from
Crown Candy Kitchen awarded after the race to the top three finishers in
every age group. This area also includes lots of fun and festive elements,
such as cheer squads, bands, and the Very Reverend Mike Kinman. Holy Hill
is presented by yurbuds.
GO! For a Cause, a charity training program that encourages local charities
to fundraiser by recruiting participants for the event. Hundreds of
participants will be competing in one of the various races, while raising
money for a charity. More than 30 charities were accepted as official
charities this year. Last year more than $368,000 was raised for local
causes, and more than 1.2 million has been raised since the program's
inception in 2010.
The marathon race course starts and finishes in downtown St. Louis at
Market & 15th Street. The course includes the Gateway Arch (great view,
before turning at Tucker), Busch Stadium, Anheuser Busch brewery, Forest
Park, Washington University, Downtown Clayton, and The Loop in U City.
Area residents are encouraged to come out to show their support by cheering
on the participants along the course.
Volunteers are an important component with an event this size. More than
2,800 volunteers are needed to assist, including: individuals,
universities, high school groups and organizations who perform a variety of
duties including: staffing a hydration station, finish line support, medal
distribution, medical assistance and course monitors.
Children from more than 200 schools and young organizations are
participating in the GO! St. Louis Read, Right & Run Marathon, a six-month
innovative program that promotes reading 26 books, completing 26 good deeds
and running 26 miles. The program concludes with the majority of the
students running their final miles on Sat., April 5. Students will receive
their medals after crossing the finish line.
The Students on the GO! program, now in its 5th year is presented by Anthem
Blue Cross & Blue Shield, and features 11 area high schools - Gateway STEM,
Ritenour High School, Cleveland NJROTC, McCluer High School, McCluer North
High School, Mehlville, High School, Metro High School, Pattonville High
School, University City High School, Block Yeshiva, Jennings High School.
The program trains and mentors high school students to run the half
marathon. More than 200 students, school educators and administrators have
been training in Forest Park for several months in preparation.
Registration: Individuals interested in registering for one of the events
should visit the Health & Fitness Expo at the Chaifetz Arena, which is set
for Friday, April 4 from 10 am - 6 pm and Saturday, April 5 from 10 am - 6
pm. Race Day registration is available for the Family Day events (5K,
Children's Funs Runs and Mature Mile) on Saturday, April 5 at the event
site. Please note that the Marathon Relay sold out at 650 teams, so entries
and not available.
Event Schedule: Friday, April 4 - Health & Fitness Expo presented by Big
River Running, 10am-6pm Chaifetz Arena, Saturday, April 5 in Forest Park -
5K Run/Walk at 8am, Read, Right & Run Marathon at 9:15 am, Children's Fun
Runs at 10:45 am and Mature Mile at 11:15 am. Health & Fitness Expo 10am -
6pm. Sunday, April 6 at Market & 15th Street - Marathon, Half Marathon and
Marathon Relay at 7am.
2014 Sponsors: PNC Bank, Express Scripts, Mercy, McCarthy Building
Companies, KMOX Radio, Missouri Beef Industry Council, Lockton Companies,
Big River Running Company, Michelob ULTRA, Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield,
Emerson, Drury Hotels, Missouri Lottery, yurbuds, Chipotle, Absopure,
Ameren, The Staenberg Family Foundation, Rockin Refuel, Dole, Lifetime
Fitness, KSDK-TV News Channel 5, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, ALIVE Magazine,
The Pasta House Company, KPMG, Brighton Agency, ESCO, St. Louis Injury &
Rehab, Fast Signs of Bridgeton, and Gatorade Endurance.
For additional event details visit http://gostlouis.org
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