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MAJOR MARATHON TO BE HELD IN EUGENE, OREGON
Date: May 18th 2006 Media Contact Richard Maher 877-345-2230
Eugene OR -- It has returned. And it's big.
The first major destination marathon since the early 1980s, the inaugural Eugene Marathon will be held in Eugene, Oregon, on Sunday, April 29, 2007. In a city that many runners consider the mecca of their sport; the course will take runners along the hallowed roads and trails used by such legends as the late Steve Prefontaine, Alberto Salazar and Mary Decker Slaney. "Eugene has long been a magic name in running circles. Now, at last, after an absence of more than 20 years, our city will again have a major marathon where runners come from around the country and the world to experience its magic," said Eugene Marathon board member Joe Henderson, local author, columnist for Marathon and Beyond magazine, and running coach.
The event is the brainchild of Richard Maher, a longtime Eugene resident and veteran marathoner who has completed 19 marathons, including Boston, Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego, Paris and Victoria and his nephew, Andy Heily, who was a high school All-American and 11 time letterman in track and cross-country at Georgetown University. Joining Maher, Heily and Henderson on the board are a whos who of U.S. distance running including:
o Cathie Twomey Bellamy, 3 time U.S. Olympic trials veteran and former world-record holder in the 20k o Frank Gagliano, Nike Farm Team head coach o Andy Downin, former US 1,500 meter Champion, four-time All-American in cross-country at Georgetown, and founder of New Hampshires largest road mile the Millennium Mile race o Matt Downin, former All-American at the University of Wisconsin who set a personal best of 2:14:28 at the 2005 New York Marathon and was ranked # 5 at the 26.2 distance by U.S. Track and Field
"It is not often one can feel like an elite athlete within a relatively small city," Twomey Bellamy said. "Taking part in the Eugene Marathon allows everyone to become Prefontaine for even just a few hours."
The music-filled family event will include a marathon, half-marathon, 5-kilometer and kids runs. The course will begin and end in the vicinity of Eugene's Alton Baker Park, taking runners through Eugene and Springfield, on city streets and bike paths, and along the Willamette River. Live music will be positioned along the marathon and half-marathon routes and at the finish. Event sponsors include Sporthill, Krusteaz, and the Lane County Visitors Bureau. The event will benefit Bolder Options, Food for Lane County, Eugene Education Fund, and Pre's Trail.
Participants can register online at www.eugenemarathon.com.
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