Press Release - Ocean State Marathon - 11/28/03

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              Contact:  Gerry Beagan
                                                             (401) 885-4499
                                                              osm26@ids.net
                     
                Ocean State Marathon Won't Be Run In 2004
                 New Providence Half Marathon Scheduled
					 
The Ocean State Marathon, which has been contested annually in Rhode Island 
since 1993, will not be run in 2004 due, primarily, to declining entry 
field numbers and diminishing sponsorship revenue. Marathon organizers will 
present a half marathon under the title sponsorship of Cerrone Auto Group 
of South Attleboro, MA, the presenting sponsor of this year's marathon 
which was run in Providence on October 12.

"We are no longer able to justify the considerable expense of sponsorship 
funds in the face of dwindling participation in the marathon," said Gerry 
Beagan, race director. "There were several factors involved in the decline 
of the entry fields over the past few years but none of those were due to 
lack of sponsor willingness to enthusiastically support the event. As an 
organization we believe it imprudent to continue to produce an event that 
does not reward sponsor partnership with a more robust participant field of 
runners."

The new event, entitled the Cerrone Providence Half Marathon, will be run 
on Sunday, September 26 over a slightly modified version of the 13.1 mile 
course run last year with a start at the State Capitol and a finish at the 
Rhode Island Convention Center.

"We believe the introduction of a national class half marathon is certain 
to be very well received in Providence and will be a superb tune-up race 
for runners training for the autumn slate of marathons. The entry numbers 
from the half marathon component of this year's event were very encouraging 
and we expect to generate a substantial increase," Beagan said. 
"Additionally, we will be able to reinstate a substantial prize money purse 
that is essential to attracting elite runners to provide the excitement of 
their athletic excellence over a very fast course entirely within the 
city."

The new half marathon has a sponsorship commitment from the Providence 
Phoenix and organizers will be actively seeking active partnerships from 
sponsors locally, regionally and nationally.

For more information and to request entry forms contact the Providence Half 
Marathon at 401-885-4499 or by mail to Providence Half Marathon, PO Box 
40718, Providence, RI 02940.

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