NYRR Offers Incentive for U.S. Women at ING New York City Marathon 2007
Posted Monday, 25 June, 2007
NEW YORK - (June 22, 2007) - Special money incentives and housing and travel assistance will be offered to leading American women distance runners at the ING New York City Marathon 2007 to help support their Olympic aspirations in a new program created by New York Road Runners (NYRR), it was announced Friday by NYRR president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.
The announcement was made during a media breakfast at the AT&T USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Indianapolis.
American women who have already achieved the "B" standard of 2 hours, 47 minutes for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Women's Marathon will be invited to compete in this year's ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 4, in pursuit of the "A" standard of 2:39:00. The top 30 accepted athletes will receive travel and housing assistance, and any runner who achieves the "A" standard will receive a $2500 bonus.
The 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Women's Marathon will be run in Boston on Sunday, April 20, 2008 on a multi-loop course.
This special program is part of NYRR's philosophy of encouraging and supporting American long distance running, which will be highlighted this year as NYRR hosts the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men's Marathon in Central Park on Saturday, November 3.
"These women are chasing the American dream, and New York Road Runners is pleased to provide them a dress rehearsal before their big day next spring in Boston," Wittenberg said. "Seeing the men's Trials up close and personal, and competing in the hyped-up atmosphere we expect for the weekend, can only help them when it is their turn on April 20."
For more information, visit: www.NYRR.org or www.INGNYCMarathon.org
Contact: Sara Hunninghake, NYRR, (212) 860-4455 x344 | shunninghake@nyrr.org
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