FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Winitz
Chronicle Marathon Media Coordinator
Win-It!z Sports Public Relations
(650) 948-0618
Peter Nantell
Chronicle Marathon Event Producer
West End Management
(415) 291-9990
27TH ANNIVERSARY SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE MARATHON NEXT WEEKEND
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - (July 23, 2004) - Approximately 8,000 runners and
walkers will mark the 27th anniversary of the marathon race in San
Francisco next Sunday, August 1, at the San Francisco Chronicle Marathon.
Race day features a 26.2-mile marathon footrace, two separate 13.1-mile
half marathons, 4-person marathon relay, and 5-kilometer run/walk.
Race weekend also includes the 2004 Healthy Living Expo, Friday and
Saturday, July 30-31 at Justin Herman Plaza with over 100 exhibitors, and
running and fitness seminars at the nearby Hyatt Regency hotel. The Expo is
free to the general public.
Complete information about the San Francisco Chronicle Marathon, including
online registration for all events, is available online at
www.ChronicleMarathon.com. Or, call the race hotline at (415) 284-9653,
Email: . Online registration ends at
midnight of Friday, July 30, 2004.
Despite high gasoline prices, a generally challenging economy, and
fluctuating tourism rates, people of all ages continue to flock to long
distance races. Building off its recent success, the registration count for
the San Francisco Chronicle Marathon and companion races has increased once
again by 20 percent in 2004. Last year, participation in the event also
increased 20 percent.
"Our goal is to top the event's all-time record for finishers," said the
marathon's race producer, Peter Nantell of West End Management, referring
to the 7,231 finishers in the 1983 San Francisco Marathon.
According to a "state of the sport report" released by USA Track & Field's
Road Running Information Center last week, in 2003 overall participation in
U.S. marathon races increased 2 percent, and 4 percent in half marathon
races - so San Francisco's marathon is growing at a pace well beyond recent
trends. Last year, there were an estimated 400,000 finishers in U.S.
marathon races, and 465,000 finishers in half marathon races. Overall
participation in shorter events was slightly down. (For the full report,
see www.runningusa.org/media/wire2004/Wire2004-56.html#story1)
Nantell attributes the growth of the City's marathon to several factors:
* The marathon course which was changed two years ago and now includes
a spacious downtown start/finish area on San Francisco's waterfront
* Superb race organization, runner amenities, and a variety of
running/walking events - facts widely distributed among runners by word of
mouth
* The enduring attraction of San Francisco as a destination,
particularly for runners seeking a cool, summer marathon
* The marathon's unique "Cause to Run" program which allows
participants to pledge support to any of the event's official charity
organizations
* Backing from City Hall, the local community, and generous sponsors
Among this year's elite entrants: John Weru of Kenya who trains with last
year's men's winner, Patrick Kamau, in Mountain View, Calif. Weru, the
winner of the 2003 Lake Tahoe Marathon and third at this year's San Diego
Marathon, owns a personal best marathon of 2 hours and 17 minutes. To date,
the women's field is wide open.
Kamau captured last year's marathon race with a winning time of 2:35:08.
Lucy Carr, an American who resides in Juanlespins, France, recorded the
women's victory in 3:01:56. The San Francisco Chronicle Marathon's course
records are held by Nate Bowen (2:31:46, 2002) and Magdalena Lewy (2:50:11,
2002). The swift all-time race records (compiled from the various courses
in the marathon's colorful past) belong to Simeon Kigen (2:10:18, 1984) and
Lesley Lehane (2:35:33, 1991).
The marathon and half marathon races feature a total of $10,000 in prize
money shared among the overall male and female winners in each of the
events plus the first master (age 40 and over) runners. In addition, the
first place male and female San Francisco residents in the marathon also
win a share of the prize money.
Although relatively few runners have the talent and determination to
contend for prize earnings, they flock to San Francisco for a temperate,
summer marathon for diverse reasons and causes. For example, Beth Hanna of
East Lansing, Mich. is bringing along her 60-year-old mother, sister,
brother, and several other relatives, most of whom will be participating in
their first 26.2-miler.
"I figure if my mother lived through the marathon of raising four children
plus three stepchildren, especially through those teen years, she has a
good chance of finishing this marathon," said Hanna. "What an honor it will
be for me to cross the finish line with my mom by my side."
Mike Herrin, a physical education and track coach from Tremont, Ill., will
complete his 36th marathon encompassing 19 states - in San Francisco. His
goal is to run a marathon in each of the 50 states.
Jeff Stevens, M.D. is a self-confessed "nerd" who says he was clumsy at
sports. The former New Yorker who now lives in Phoenix, Ariz. took up
marathon running in 1991, but contracted thyroid cancer in 2000. He'll run
the half marathon in San Francisco clad in New York Yankees' garb.
The San Francisco Chronicle Marathon starts at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday,
August 1 on the San Francisco Embarcadero near the Ferry Building. Early
starters are allowed to proceed at 5:00 a.m. The marathon finishes in the
same location. The first marathon finishers will arrive at approximately
9:30 a.m.
The 2004 Chronicle Marathon is sponsored by the San Francisco Chronicle,
sfadobe.com, EnergyWell Natural Foods, KPIX Channel 5, KCBS All News 740
am, Organs 'R" Us, Clairol Natural Instincts, Chiquita, GU2O Sports
Drink, GU Energy Gel, UCSF Medical Center, Hyatt Regency San Francisco,
the San Francisco Municipal Railway, the San Francisco Recreation & Parks
Department, and the Port of San Francisco.
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