FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARATHON LEGEND FRANK SHORTER TO BE PRESENTED
WITH AIMS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AT BEST MARATHON RUNNER AWARD GALA

The world running organisation the Association of International Marathons
and Distance Races (AIMS) is delighted to announce that American Marathon
Legend Frank Shorter will be recognised with the AIMS Lifetime Achievement
Award at the third annual AIMS Best Marathon Runner' (BMR) Award Gala in
the home of the Marathon in Athens, Greece on 6 November 2015.

Frank's lifetime of achievement in distance running will be recognised on
behalf of the AIMS Members, representing more than 390 of the world's
leading and most prestigious races from 108 countries and territories.

Frank will receive the AIMS Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of
his significant role in the development of the Marathon Movement,
particularly in the United States of America. Due to recently undergoing
surgery Frank's son Alex will travel to Athens to receive the award on his
behalf at the BMR Gala. Alex is a marathon runner and is carrying on the
Shorter family running tradition through his scientific research on
biomechanics and assisted motion.

Born in Munich Germany, Frank was raised in Middletown, New York and it was
representing the USA that he won his greatest recognition by becoming the
only American athlete to win two medals in the Olympic Marathon event.
Frank won the Gold Medal in the Marathon at the 1972 Olympics in Munich
before going on to win the Silver Medal in the Marathon at the 1976
Olympics in Montreal, Canada. Frank also won the Marathon at the Pan
American Games in 1971 and was a four time winner of the Fukuoka Marathon
in Japan (1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974). Frank's victory in the 1972 Olympic
Marathon is credited with starting the running boom in the USA in the
1970's.

Further to his achievements in athletics, Frank was a founding member of
the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and served as Chairman from
2000 to 2003.

AIMS President Paco Borao comments: "We are delighted to recognise the
achievements of Frank Shorter and his contribution to the Marathon
Movement. Frank is an inspiration to so many throughout the United States
and beyond to take up the world's original and most affordable sport."

Frank Shorter comments: "I am delighted and honoured to receive this award
from AIMS. I have watched with great pride as the Marathon Movement has
grown and developed particularly since the 1970's. I would like to extend
my thanks to AIMS for choosing to recognise me in this way. I am sorry I
will not be able to attend the Gala in person but I am glad my son will
receive the award on my behalf in the shadow of those who created the event
2,500 years on. It is a very humbling thought."

About the AIMS Best Marathon Runner Award Gala
The purpose of the BMR Award Gala is to:

I. Announce and honour the best male and female Marathon runners of the
year through the AIMS BEST MARATHON RUNNER (BMR) Award. The BMR Award
replaces the AIMS World Athlete of the Year Award.
II. Recognise and honour exceptional Marathon figureheads and personalities
for their contribution to the development of the Marathon movement.
III. Publicise and promote the best practice and initiatives of AIMS
members (390+ race organisers) through the establishment of special
environmental and social awards.
IV. Enhance the role, programs and services of AIMS.
The event will be staged in Athens, Greece on Friday 6 November 2015.

About AIMS
AIMS is a member based organisation and since being established in 1982 has
grown to a membership of more than 390 of the world's leading distance
races, from over 108 countries and territories. AIMS Members come from
every continent on the planet and include the Athens Marathon, The
Authentic formed on the legend of Pheidippides, the Greek soldier-runner
who ran from the town of Marathon to Athens in 490 BC to announce the
Persians had been defeated in the 'Battle of Marathon'. Other AIMS members
include many of the world's greatest distance races in history such as the
Berlin, Boston, Chicago, New York & Tokyo Marathons. The three key
objectives of AIMS are:

1. To foster and promote distance running throughout the world
2. To work with the International Association of Athletic Federations
(IAAF) on all matters relating to international road races.
3. To exchange information, knowledge and expertise among members of the
association

For further information on AIMS please visit: www.aimsworldrunning.org

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