Contact: Geneva Hampton
501-664-7242
or 800-482-8858
Gina Pharis
501-918-5321
Bill Rodgers Will Run The Little Rock Marathon
Little Rock, AR (November 27, 2002) – Bill Rodgers, one the most recognized
distance runners in the world, will participate in the inaugural running of
the Little Rock Marathon next May, according to Greg Hatcher, race chairman.
The Little Rock Marathon will take place on May 4, 2003
"We are excited to have an athlete like Bill Rodgers compete in The Little
Rock Marathon next spring," said Hatcher. "He plans to be in Little Rock for
the entire weekend to not only run the relay portion to the marathon, but to
give training tips during the marathon expo and encourage athletes at every
level to train for an event like the Little Rock Marathon. I think his
participation in our race shows that the running community is behind this
marathon and supports our goal to make the Little Rock Marathon a premier
event each year."
Rodgers lives in a small community outside of Boston, MA. He has been
nicknamed "Boston Billy" and is the only runner to have won the prestigious
Boston and New York City marathons four times each. His wins at Boston were
between 1975 and 1980 and his wins at New York were from 1976 to 1979. In
1975, 1977 and 1979 he was ranked the #1 marathon runner in the world and in
1975, Rodgers set an American marathon record of 2 hours, 9 minutes, 27
seconds. He was a member of the 1976 US Olympic Team. He holds five
current American records and one current world record.
Rodgers runs in 22 to 25 races per year and is the spokesperson for Running
Times and the Bill Rodgers Running Center, which he operates with his
brother, Charlie Rodgers in Boston.
The 2003 Little Rock Marathon begins Sunday, May 4 at 7 a.m. The Marathon is
open to all athletes who can complete the course in less than eight hours.
The race consists of the marathon with wheelchair, running and walking
divisions; 2-Person Marathon Relay (2 legs of 13.1 miles); 4-Person Marathon
Relay (3 legs of 6.2 miles, 1 Leg of 7.6 miles), and a family 5K Fun Run.
For more information, visit www.littlerockmarathon.com or call LRPR at
501-918-5321 or Arthritis Foundation at 501-664-7242 or 800-482-8858.
www.twincitiesmarathon.org/
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