US Road Sports & Entertainment Group Acquires ING Georgia Marathon
Posted Friday, 13 June, 2008
ATLANTA - (June 11, 2008) - The ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon, Georgia's marquee, springtime marathon and half-marathon has been acquired by US Road Sports & Entertainment Group (US Road Sports), based in Dallas, Texas.
Commenting on the addition of the ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon to its family of events, Greg Laird, president of US Road Sports, shared, "This award-winning event is clearly enjoyed by runners, welcomed by the community and of great value to its sponsors. Our goal is to build the infrastructure to make the ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon a reality from its third to its 100th running and to grow the state's 'new southern tradition.'"
In 2008, the ING Georgia Marathon was awarded the State Marathon Championship for Georgia from the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA). This year's race had a completion rate of more than 99% - almost unheard of among marathons and half-marathons. The inaugural event in 2007 had a completion rate of more than 97%.
The first-year event was the second largest inaugural combo event of all-time according to Running USA and was voted "Best New Event" by Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine. Each year, racers of the ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon were supported by more than 1,500 volunteers and an estimated course spectatorship of more than 45,000.
"Our goal has been to introduce a world-class, springtime marathon and half-marathon that took racers through the beautiful and historical areas of our in-town neighborhoods. With the help and support of sponsors, volunteers and a dedicated staff, our goal became a reality," said Victoria Seahorn, principal of Georgia Marathon LLC and race director of the ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon. "The transition of ownership is the best move for the long-term success of the race. US Road Sports brings a level of expertise and management necessary for the continued health and growth of the event." As part of the terms of agreement, Seahorn will remain the race director.
US Road Sports is committed to building local races with a national, proven and financially stable production team along with reliable infrastructure that highlights the best of each community. In addition to the ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon, the race management company produces the ING Miami Marathon & Half Marathon, Publix Escape to Miami Triathlon and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Running Series and the recently added Banco Popular Chicago Half Marathon.
More information is available at: www.INGGeorgiaMarathon.com
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