FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Karen Boe
801-412-6060
JUNE 3 DATE ANNOUNCED FOR SALT LAKE CITY MARATHON
New Half Marathon to Be Added
to the Bike Tour, 5K and IHC MaraFit Kids Fitness Program and 1K
Salt Lake City, September 13, 2005 - Organizers of the third annual Salt
Lake City Marathon announced today that the entire weekend of events is
being moved to June 3, 2006. An all new half-marathon will be added to
accommodate those runners that want to participate but may not be ready for
a full marathon or for those training for late summer or fall marathons.
Online registration is available at www.saltlakecitymarathon.com or by
calling (801) 412-6060.
Organizers have set June third for the 2006 race date only after a myriad
of criteria had been carefully examined, including coordination of all
municipalities along the course, 30 years of weather history, the
availability of public safety support, accessibility of the convention
center, sufficient hotel vacancy, race schedules both locally and around
the country, and outdoor training time prior to the race. An early June
date had always been the ideal choice, but has just become available.
Devine Racing Chairman Chris Devine said, "we remain committed to producing
one of the finest running events in the country and showcasing the finest
Salt Lake City for locals and visitors alike."
The staff of the Salt Lake City Marathon continues to enjoy a great
relationship with Utah races and remains committed to supporting the sport
of running in Utah. Prior to finalizing the new date, the marathon staff
met with local race directors, getting their feedback and allowing them to
plan accordingly. Race Director Greg Reid explained, "We worked closely
with the affected municipalities and all local race directors. We continue
true to our mission of supporting the sport of running in Utah."
Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson states, "The addition of the new half
marathon is a welcome bonus to the entire weekend of fitness events for the
citizens of the valley. This race truly showcases the best of Utah to all
our visitors, brings our local community together in a very healthy way and
has a very positive impact for Salt Lake City, bringing over $4 million
visitor dollars into our community this year."
The results of an extensive weather analysis of 30 years of weather history
for April, May and June shows us that June has a significantly better
chance of clear skies and pleasant temperatures. The first Saturday in
June shows average temperatures of 54°F at 7:00 a.m. for the marathon start
and 70°F by 1:00 p.m. at course closure …..well within a comfortable range
for participants.
"In years one and two, with both race dates scheduled in April, we were
extremely lucky. We dodged a weather bullet both years, with serious
weather conditions just days prior to and following each race date," said
Race Director Greg Reid. The new date will better accommodate those locals
that prefer an outdoor training regimen, allowing for more time for first
time marathon participants to prepare, and to utilize multiple outdoor
training events in their running regime.
JUNE 3 DATE ANNOUNCED FOR SALT LAKE CITY MARATHON
The new half marathon, presented by Simmons Media Group, will enjoy a
common start at 7:00 a.m. with the Marathon at the Olympic Legacy Bridge at
the University of Utah, will jog west after leaving Sugar House Park, and
will rejoin the marathon course at Liberty Park. It will share the same
crowds of enthusiastic spectators that cheer participants on, all the way
to the electric finish at the Olympic Legacy Plaza at The Gateway, in
downtown Salt Lake. "We are working with Salt Lake City to create a course
that will mirror the beauty of the marathon course and minimize the impact
on local traffic and businesses," said Reid.
Online registration is open and is expected to fill quickly. Early
registration for the race is only $70 for the marathon, $45 for the half
marathon, $35 for the Bike Tour, and $25 for the 5K before January 2, 2006.
Group discounts are available for 10 or more registering at the same time
(mail in only).
The marathon website www.saltlakecitymarathon.com has easy-to-use
registration forms, training information, travel and accommodation links,
special stories and photographs from the previous years. In addition,
participants can find course maps and details on the entire weekend of
festivities.
The weekend will be filled with spectacular entertainment and parties.
Celebrity runners are expected from a variety of major media. A fun-filled
pre-event Fitness Expo and Pasta Party will keep runners psyched for the
run. The Fitness Expo will take place on Thursday, June 1st and Friday,
June 2nd at the Salt Palace Convention Center, with many more exhibitors
and an additional day for packet pickup.
Salt Lake City Marathon has become one of the most spectacular new
marathons on the endurance racing circuit. The Salt Lake City Marathon was
among 12 new favorites listed by Runner's World in the 2005 Marathon Guide
in their January article: "Small Wonders: Big Fun, Big Scenery, Big
Rewards." January's Competitor Magazine and Rocky Mountain Sports Magazine
both tout Salt Lake City as the "Best Race at Altitude."
The Salt Lake City Marathon is certified and sanctioned through USATF, and
is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. The 26.2 mile scenic downhill
course makes it an appealing run for a wide range of entrants. Entry
classes include open, masters and wheelchair divisions and will have 17 age
divisions. Runners' times will be clocked by a state-of-the-art chip timing
system. The elite fields for both men and women will be announced in May of
2006.
The race is run in partnership with the Utah Sports Commission and benefits
the Huntsman Cancer Institute. IHC sponsors the MaraFit Kids' Fitness
Program and 1K. The 5K is presented by The Salt Lake Tribune and Wild Oats.
Other sponsors include Gatorade, Clif Bar, and Walgreens.
"The Utah Sports Commission is pleased to be a partner with a world class
destination marathon like the Salt Lake City Marathon, which provides
significant economic impact and national exposure to the State of Utah," -
states Jeff L. Robbins, President and CEO of the Utah Sports Commission.
JUNE 3 DATE ANNOUNCED FOR SALT LAKE CITY MARATHON
Top runners from around the world will enjoy mild running weather in June,
in a setting that surrounds them with still snow-capped peaks contrasting
with late spring blossoms, all along a flat and slightly downhill 26.2 mile
course. The Marathon and Half Marathon start at the Olympic Legacy Bridge
at the University of Utah, the site of the 2002 Winter Olympic Athlete
Village. The gentle course then skirts the base of the towering Wasatch
Mountains, passes by cozy neighborhoods and elegant estates, and winds
through Salt Lake's legendary wide streets, into the city center, via
Liberty Park, site of the 5K start. Here, the music will absolutely rock,
the energy will surge, and crowds of enthusiastic spectators will cheer
participants on, all the way to the electric finish at the Olympic Legacy
Plaza at The Gateway, in downtown Salt Lake.
An elite field of talented world-class runners from around the globe broke
course records on April 23, 2005. Over 4,000 participated in the marathon
and in excess of 5,000 in the 5K for second running. The Salt Lake Tribune
declared the race "had everything it needed to be a stunning success - from
world class athletes mixing with hundreds of 'regular' runners to flawless
organization, an army of spirited volunteers and astonishing community
support along almost every inch of the 26.2-mile course around the city.
Just like the Olympics everything about the event was an utter joy to
experience." A post race awards ceremony was held at the Delta Center
followed by a concert headlined by ThirdEyeBlind. $105,000 was donated
from the race to the Huntsman Cancer Institute in the last two years.
Once in Utah, it's easy for runners to continue the adventure. In April,
visitors get the best of all worlds at their fingertips: golf, skiing,
hiking, biking, fishing, and explorations through the red rock canyons.
Visit www.utah.com for detailed travel information.
The Devine Racing offices are located at 136 E. South Temple in Salt Lake
City, Utah. For race information, contact Greg Reid, Race Director at
(801) 412-6060. Devine Racing was created to acquire and oversee
prestigious amateur athletic events in major destination cities,
particularly marathons, triathlons and road races. With a goal of acquiring
premier running events, the intent is to build them into the most
well-respected running events in the world. Devine Racing focuses on
enhancing the participant experience, building an entire weekend of
spectacular events from fitness expos to major post race concerts designed
to celebrate the accomplishments of the athletes. Devine Racing launched
the Salt Lake City Marathon in April of 2004 and now owns the "New" Las
Vegas Marathon and the Los Angeles Marathon. Other recently acquired
events include The Chicago Half Marathon and Chicago's new highly
successful Chicago Big 10K. Chris Devine serves as Chairman, Bruce Buzil
is Vice Chairman, and Scott Kerr is the Vice President of Race Operations.
The privately held company was established in 2003.
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