SunTrust Richmond Marathon Sets Event Entry Record
Combined Registrations for SunTrust Richmond Marathon, McDonald’s Half Marathon, NTELOS 8k & Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run top 12,000

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Posted Thursday, 30 October, 2008

RICHMOND, VA – The SunTrust Richmond Marathon and its companion events the McDonald’s Half Marathon, NTELOS 8k and Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run combined have surpassed 12,000 entries for the first time in the event’s 31-year history, the Sports Backers announced today.

“Marathoners from around the country continue to recognize the quality of the SunTrust Richmond Marathon,” said Sports Backers executive director Jon Lugbill. “And the addition of the McDonald’s Half Marathon to the popular NTELOS 8k has given even more folks more reasons to travel to Richmond to experience the neighborly fun of America’s Friendliest Marathon.”

As of Tuesday, October 28th, over 12,000 participants had signed up for the SunTrust Richmond Marathon, the McDonald’s Half Marathon, the NTELOS 8k and the Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run, surpassing last year’s total of 11,742. And with plenty of room for more participants and over two weeks remaining to register, the Sports Backers expect that number to climb substantially.

Registration still open -- Online registration for the SunTrust Richmond Marathon, the McDonald’s Half Marathon, the NTELOS 8K or the Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run will be open at richmondmarathon.com until 11:59 p.m., Wednesday November 12. Late walk-up registration is available at the Arthur Ashe Athletic Center during the SecureHorizons Health & Fitness Expo on Thursday, November 13 from 5 to 9 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 14 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. There is no race day registration or packet pickup!

Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run New Time and Location – The Kids Run will now take place under the lights at Sports Backers Stadium (adjacent to the Arthur Ashe Center) on Friday, November 14th at 7 p.m. Kids ages 5 through 12 can enter the one-mile fun run that starts and finishes on the track at Sports Backers Stadium. Participants get a race number, T-shirt and a commemorative medal.

New Start Times, Course Changes – The addition of the new McDonald’s Half Marathon this year has resulted in changes to the race schedule. The NTELOS 8k will now start at 7 a.m. on Saturday, November 15th. That will be followed by the McDonald’s Half Marathon start at 7:30 a.m. Both starts will be in the vicinity of 9th and Broad Street. The SunTrust Richmond Marathon will maintain its traditional 8 a.m. start time at 7th and Broad Street.

The SunTrust Richmond Marathon course includes a change at Mile 22 onto Brook Road rather than Chamberlayne Avenue and adds a new stretch on Lombardy Street past Virginia Union University to Grace Street. The finish line for all events will move to 9th and Cary Street that will allow for expanded competitor and spectator opportunities in the adjacent post-race celebration at the James Center Plaza.

Other course changes to note are that the McDonald’s Half Marathon will not pass through Bryan Park as originally mapped. The new route takes participants through Sherwood and Ginter Park neighborhoods. And the NTELOS 8k course will be run on Broad, Mulberry, Grace, 3rd and Cary Streets. For updates on final course changes go to www.richmondmarathon.com.

Schedule

Thursday, November 13, 2008
5 p.m. – 9 p.m. SecureHorizons Health & Fitness Expo,
Packet pick-up and walk-up registration at the Arthur Ashe Athletic Center

Friday, November 14, 2008
11 a.m. – 9 p.m. SecureHorizons Health & Fitness Expo,
Packet pick-up and walk-up registration at the Arthur Ashe Athletic Center
11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Bus tours of Marathon course leaving from Expo
(advance registration recommended)
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Pasta dinner at the Omni Hotel (advance reservation required)
7 p.m. Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run at Sports Backers Stadium adjacent to the Arthur Ashe Athletic Center

Saturday, November 15, 2008
7 a.m. NTELOS 8k start (7th & Broad St.)
7:30 a.m. McDonald’s Half Marathon start (7th & Broad St.)
8 a.m. SunTrust Richmond Marathon start (7th & Broad St.)
8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Ellwood Thompson’s Local Market Finish Line Festival
3 p.m. Marathon course closes

For more information go to www.richmondmarathon.com or call 804-285-9495.

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