FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Manuel Rodrigues
Elite Ahtletes Coordinator
manny_r@rogers.ca
Laurie Davison
Marketing and Communications
media@ncm.ca
(613) 234-2221
Ottawa Marathon increases 2004 Prize Pot
Jacobson and Nderitu to return and defend their titles
November 18, 2003 - Ottawa, ONTARIO - The biggest cash prize purse of any
Canadian marathon just got bigger. The organizing committee of the 30th
Ottawa Marathon today announced that the guaranteed prize purse for the
race had increased to $96,000; raising what was already the country's
highest cash prize structure. The increase comes as organizers prepare to
celebrate the 30th anniversary of the marathon during the National Capital
Race Weekend, held on May 28-30, 2004.
"The Ottawa Marathon has always offered participants a very attractive
prize package. This year we felt it was time to grow that prize structure
as our event has grown over the past few years," said Race Weekend Elite
Athlete Coordinator Manuel Rodrigues. "This isn't just a means to attract
new elite athletes, but also to set a standard for all Canadian running
events."
The changes include a $10,000 prize for the male and female first place
finishers, up from $8,000 in 2003. As well the second and third place
finishers will receive $5,000 and $2,500 respectively, up from $4,000 and
$2,000.
New time bonuses for international and Canadian finishing times add to the
potential winnings. For international athletes $2,000 and $3,000 time
bonuses are available for finishing times under 2:11 and 2:09 respectively
for men and 2:30 and 2:25 respectively for women. Canadian runners can
also earn extra dollars for fast times. For every minute under 2:13
Canadian men will receive $3,000 and for each minute under 2:31 Canadian
women will get $2,000.
At the 2003 event Canadian Sandy Jacobson took the first place finish with
a personal best of 2:33:51. With time bonuses and the prize as top
Canadian, she was rewarded with a $20,000 cash prize, the largest cash
award ever given by the Race Weekend. This year Jacobson, who hails from
Edmonton, will return to defend her title and stands to win a healthy sum
again if she repeats her winning performance.
Kenyan marathoner Joseph Nderitu will also return in 2004 to defend his
first place title. Nderitu finished in 2:15:29 last year to take his third
consecutive Ottawa Marathon and $9,000 in cash prizes. Both athletes agree
the new one-loop course offered in 2004 is another major attraction for
their return.
The new prize structure extends to the top ten overall finishers for the
Ottawa Marathon and the MDS Nordion 10K Run/Walk, as well as prizes for the
top Canadians in both races and the top finishers in the Ottawa Half
Marathon, Masters Marathon and Wheelchair Marathon.
About the National Capital Race Weekend
The National Capital Race Weekend is one of Canada's leading running
weekends with over 20,000 participants in 8 different races, including the
Ottawa marathon. It is run by a volunteer Board of Directors. This year,
the Race Weekend is scheduled for the May 28-30 weekend and the Ottawa
Marathon will feature a one-loop course for the first time in over 10
years.
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