Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon Offers Cash-Back Incentive for Running Clubs
Prize money totals $12,000 with $8000 for top Masters at inaugural event

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Posted Monday, 29 September, 2008

MELBOURNE, Fla. - (Sept. 28, 2008) - The inaugural 2009 Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon, already positioning to be one of the top Masters events in the country, welcomes running clubs from inside and outside the United States with a unique cash-back incentive.

The Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon will be held Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009. The marathon and half-marathon events will feature a combined $12,000 purse and are expected to draw some of the nation's top Open and Masters runners, including four-time Boston and New York City Marathon champion Bill Rodgers. There will also be a 5K race.

Under the club incentive, out-of-state and international clubs that register and start at least eight runners in the marathon, half-marathon and / or 5K will receive a $100 rebate from their collective registration fees. The rebate will be issued within 30 days of the completion of the race.

"Running clubs are such an important part of community, training and performance for so many runners that we wanted to acknowledge them and make this special offer," said Mitch Varnes, director of the Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon. "Furthermore, this gives clubs and runners from out-of-state another good reason to come to Florida's Space Coast for a scenic and exciting mid-winter race."

With more than 700 running clubs represented by the Road Runners Clubs of America (RRCA), and hundreds of additional groups, club running is stronger than ever. Clubs frequently bring several runners to marathons and half-marathons, but rarely do the events offer incentives and rebates to attract stronger club fields.

Given the Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon's emphasis on Masters competition, Varnes anticipates a strong showing by clubs.

"The social and community aspects of running clubs are strongest among Masters runners," he said. "The mid-winter timing of the race comes when many Masters runners take winter vacations."

The announcement of the running club incentive adds to an impressive array of features that the Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon is bringing to the national and international racing scene. Runners will race along Florida's scenic Space Coast, a mostly flat, fast layout that will be spiced up by 20 live bands. Masters competitors will be featured, with $8000 of the $12,000 purse going to over-40 marathon and half-marathon finishers. The Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon is one of the final opportunities to qualify for the 2009 Boston Marathon - with one of its greatest champions, Bill Rodgers, on hand to race in the half-marathon.

Entry fees are $70 for the marathon, $55 for the half-marathon and $25 for the 5K. From October 1 to November 30, those fees change to $80, $65 and $25, respectively. Registration fees will increase further on December 1. Registration is available at the race website: TheMelbourneMarathon.com

The Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon is sponsored by the Space Coast Board of Tourism, Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, Florida Today, Melbourne International Airport, Delta Airlines, Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront, Health First, Space Coast Credit Union, and Beachside Performance Health Studio, AG Edwards Flammio & Schultz Financial Group, WFIT and Space Coast Living Magazine. Charitable beneficiaries are Lance Armstrong's LiveStrong Foundation and the Brevard Symphony Orchestra.

For more information, contact Mitch Varnes of Smooth Running Productions at (321) 777-9935 or email info@themelbournemarathon.com

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