Spirit of St. Louis Marathon Sets Participation Record
Over 10,000 Entrants Enjoy "Art & Sole" Theme and Weekend Events

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Posted Tuesday, 12 April, 2005

Contact: Diana Minardi Strauss, (314) 378-6641

ST. LOUIS - (April 10, 2005) - The Spirit of St. Louis Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend™, celebrated its fifth anniversary this weekend drawing a record number of registrants that exceeded 10,000 for a variety of events held over a two-day period.

More than 8,000 runners and walkers registered for The Spirit of St. Louis Marathon, Blue Cross Blue Shield Half Marathon and Marathon Relay held on Sunday, with a course that wound through the cities of St. Louis, Clayton and University City. The Missouri State Marathon and Half-Marathon Championships, open to state residents only, were held at the same time. Road Runners Club of America sanctioned the Championship events.

Saturday's Family Day in Forest Park attracted approximately 2,500 people of all ages for the Bally Total Fitness 5K Run/Walk, the Energizer Read, Right & Run Marathon™, Energizer's Children's Fun Runs and the Mature Mile for older adults sponsored by the Washington University School of Medicine Program for Physical Therapy.

"Our fifth anniversary celebration was an endorsement of our community's commitment to the importance of incorporating fitness into our everyday lives," said Nancy Lieberman, president of the Spirit of St. Louis Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend. "As the 'spirit' continues to grow, so does our dedication to reaching out and providing opportunities for people to physically challenge themselves."

This year, the Spirit of St. Louis Marathon Weekend unveiled the theme "Art & Sole" integrating visual and performing arts with the art of running. Twenty-eight larger-than-life, whimsical mile-marker sculptures adorned the marathon course at the start and finish lines and every mile in between. Interspersed among the sculptures were more than 18 performing arts groups ranging from dance troops to live music.

Overall marathon winners were Aaron Hoover, 23, of Terre Haute, Ind. with a time of 2:33:45 and Stephanie Hill, 21, of Pevely, Missouri in 3:04:22. Hoover was followed by Erik Bush, 36, of Warrenville, Ill. in 2:33:52 and Thomas Clark, 27, of Somerville, Mass. with a 2:38:46. In the women's race, Molly Kraeger, 31, of St. Louis finished second in 3:20:35 and Alison Vernon, 21, of Peoria, Ill. Was third (3:21:27).

Missouri State Marathon Champion honors went to St. Louis' Caleb Goldkemp, 26, at 2:44:09 and overall female marathon winner Hill.

The top three finishers in the men's half-marathon were Chris Juarez, 34, of San Antonio, Tex. at 1:11:50; Matthew Hoelle, 23, of St. Louis at 1:14:49 and William Poterpa, 19, of Woodridge, Ill. at 1:15:08. Top finishers in the women's half were Eileen Petito, 35, of Alton, Ill. at 1:27:47; Anne Stowell, 27, of Charlotte, N.C. at 1:28:18 and Julie Reitz, 26, of St. Louis at 1:30:58.

Missouri State Half-Marathon titles went to Hoelle and Reitz, while first place in the wheelchair division went to Don Dowling, 47, of Eureka, Missouri with a time of 2:07:36.

For final race results and more information on the Spirit of St. Louis Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend, visit www.stlouismarathon.com. The date for the 2006 Spirit of St. Louis Marathon Weekend will be announced by April 30, 2005.

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.runningusa.org

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