FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Stacey Ellis or Alexis Anzalone
The Blaze Company
(310) 450-6060
"Spa On Wheels" Shuttle Rolls Out for Los Angeles Marathon XX
LOS ANGELES - (February 15, 2005) - As the nation's fourth largest marathon
counts down to its 20th silver celebration on Sunday, March 6, 2005, the
Los Angeles Marathon continues to introduce race-day firsts with a new "Spa
On Wheels" shuttle, a fusion of ideas that blends spas, sports and a
much-needed method of transportation for L.A. Marathon biathletes.
For marathoners who will start their morning with the 11th annual Acura
L.A. Bike Tour - a 22.7-mile leisure ride through the traffic-free streets
of Los Angeles, the Spa On Wheels shuttle will transport an estimated 120
biathletes from the Acura L.A. Bike Tour finish line at University of
Southern California to the Marathon start line at Figueroa Blvd and 6th
Street in downtown Los Angeles.
Metropolitan Transit Authority wrapped buses will be transformed on event
day into the Spa On Wheels shuttle. The bus exteriors will feature the L.A.
Marathon 2005 anniversary artwork created by presenting sponsor American
Motor Honda Co. Inc. and Acura, the title sponsor of the Acura L.A. Bike
Tour.
Inside, the buses will reflect a serene spa-like environment created by
Whole Life Consultants, a spa management and consulting firm based in
Hermosa Beach, Calif. WLC operates Checkers Spa at the Hilton Checkers
Hotel and the Good Samaritan Hospital in downtown Los Angeles, and the
Beach House Spa at the Beach House Hotel in Hermosa Beach.
During the three-mile ride, mini neck, arm, shoulder, leg and foot massages
will be made available to riders, as well as Sparkletts water and soothing
music. In addition, re-energizing drinks and snacks such as Gatorade and
Clif Bars will be available on board.
The L.A. Marathon was the first to offer a pre-marathon bike ride as part
of Marathon-day events, and as such, is the first Marathon with the unique
challenge of transporting more than 100 biathletes. The Spa On Wheels
shuttle concept came as a response to feedback from L.A. Marathon
biathletes who enjoyed the challenge of completing both events, but wanted
an easier option for getting from the Bike Tour finish line to the start of
the Marathon.
"The L.A. Marathon and Acura L.A. Bike Tour looked to address the needs of
the biathletes in not only an effective manner, but creatively as well,"
says Marie Patrick co-founder and executive vice president of the L.A.
Marathon. "We believe the Spa On Wheels shuttle will be a nice experience
for our biathletes and hope it encourages more of our runners to
participate in both events in years to come."
"L.A. Marathon biathletes require special consideration, not only
logistically, but physically because of the additional impact to their
bodies," said John Howard, three-time Olympic cyclist, world-record holder
and cycling coach for the Acura L.A. Bike Tour. "I can't think of a nicer
thing to do between events for these special athletes than this new shuttle
concept."
The Acura L.A. Bike Tour begins at 6am on March 6. Cyclists can be seen
crossing the finish line via a live broadcast on NBC4 in Los Angeles
beginning at 7:30am. For the first time ever, the broadcast, which ends at
11am, will be made available to a global audience via the World Wide Web by
logging on to NBC4.tv or by linking through the L.A. Marathon Website at
www.lamarathon.com. A Spanish-language live broadcast will take place on
Telemundo 52 from 7:30am to 11:30am.
The L.A. Marathon, a Running USA Founding Member, is the largest marathon
in the state, fourth largest in the country and seventh largest in the
world. It is expected to draw more than 25,000 runners from all 50 states
and 80 countries. Historically, 80 percent of all participants have hailed
Southern California as their home making the race one of the City's most
highly participated and defining events.
The L.A. Marathon presented by Honda takes place Sunday, March 6, 2005. In
addition to American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Marathon sponsors include
American Airlines, City of Angels Medical Center, NBC4, Telemundo 52,
Saucony, Sparkletts and Emerald Nuts. To-date, more than 350,000 runners
and walkers have participated in the L.A. Marathon. For more information or
to register for L.A. Marathon XX, visit www.lamarathon.com or call (310)
444-5544.
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