FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New Start and Finish at Centennial Olympic Park for
March 2008 ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon
Race Registration Now Open For 2nd Largest Combo Event in U.S.
(October 3, 2007, ATLANTA, Ga.) – Next spring's ING Georgia Marathon & Half
Marathon, set for March 30, 2008, will start and finish at Centennial
Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta. One of the most picturesque and popular
races in the country, the marathon and half-marathon will return for its
second year through Atlanta‘s intown neighborhoods, treating runners and
spectators to some of the city's most widely recognized landmarks.
"The ING Georgia Marathon is another great sporting event that our state is
proud to host. Placing the start/finish line at Centennial Olympic Park in
downtown Atlanta will be the perfect location for spectators and athletes
to enjoy next year's race," said Governor Sonny Perdue.
"The inaugural ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon proved to be a winning
event for runners, spectators, and sponsors this spring. A fresh new
tradition has been established that showcases our community spirit here in
Atlanta. All runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes, whether they are
residents of our beautiful city or neighbors or out of town guests, should
be commended for taking part in this event. I'm proud Atlanta can host
thousands of people who actively reach their goals for good health," said
Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, who is serious about healthy living and has
established a Health and Wellness Program for city employees.
"As a proud corporate citizen of Atlanta, we're honored to be sponsoring a
world-class race that energizes the city and attracts thousands of
participants and spectators to the state of Georgia," said Tom Waldron, ING
executive vice president for human resources and brand. "Setting the start
and finish line at Centennial Olympic Park is a great way to make the ING
Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon even more successful in its second year."
The new start/ finish is among other changes planned for the Sunday, March
30, 2008 race. Rather than the mass start of the inaugural event for all
runners and walkers, race officials plan to stage participants in groups
and stagger the start by the expected finish times. Wheelchair racers in
the Half Marathon will take off at 6:55 a.m., going east on Marietta Street
from Centennial Olympic Park. The staggered start for runners in the ING
Georgia Marathon and Half Marathon will begin at 7:00 a.m. All participants
will end the race on the north side of the park, finishing at Centennial
Olympic Park Drive and Harris Street. The park will host activities for
spectators and runners all day.
In addition, the race Health & Fitness Expo will be located at the Georgia
World Congress Center on Friday March 28 (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and Saturday
March 29 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). The Expo is where event participants pick up
race packets, and all exhibits are open to the public. The Omni Hotel at
CNN Center will serve as the headquarters hotel for the weekend. Pre-race
ceremonies will begin on March 30 at 6:30 a.m. The National Anthem will be
performed by national recording artist and Georgia native, Diana DeGarmo.
A full schedule of entertainment and guest speakers for the weekend will be
announced later this fall.
"Centennial Olympic Park commemorates one of the greatest sporting events
in our state, the Centennial Olympic Games," said Victoria Seahorn, race
director for the ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon. "Like so many of the
places along the course, it's part of Atlanta's history. And the park will
serve appropriately again as a headquarters for celebration and success
next March, a place where all runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes can
reunite with their families and friends."
Registration is limited to 15,000 participants and is available
online at the race Web site: www.inggeorgiamarathon.com.
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