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ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon
(404) 210-2780
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Jenny Schmitt
Peloton Sports
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Nearly 97 Percent Finish First-Ever
ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon
Race Team Already Planning Improvements to 2008 Event
(ATLANTA, March 28, 2007) – A record number of racers finished the
inaugural ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon on Sunday, March 25. Nearly
97 percent who started the course completed it within the official
seven-hour time limit. Under blue skies, spring blooms, and summer-like
temperatures – a record 87 degrees Fahrenheit – 13,730 of the original
15,000 registered for the event started out on the neighborhood-based
course, with 13,258 crossing the finish.
"We could not have asked for a better day for a better race in a better
city," shared Victoria Seahorn, race director of the first-ever ING Georgia
Marathon & Half Marathon. "Our goal was to deliver a safe and spectacular
race that highlighted the diversity of Atlanta and celebrated its unity.
Today, I believe we accomplished that. Of course, like any first-time
event, we plan to build on the best and learn from the rest for 2008."
Acknowledging the success and a few challenges of a first-time race,
Seahorn said the majority of the racers had an exceptional experience
sharing their enjoyment of the city and the appreciation of a
spectator-filled racecourse. The greatest opportunity for improving the
race next year and ensuring the safety of the runner is in improving the
availability of hydration along the racecourse. "We understand that a
number of runners were frustrated by water and sports drink availability at
some water stations. As a runner myself, I definitely share and understand
their frustration" added Seahorn. "Even though adequate water and sports
drink supplies were at the scheduled locations on the course, it was the
logistics of getting it into the hands of racers that fell through. I can
assure you that safety and proper hydration will always be our top
priorities."
"Most runners took the adequate steps pre-race and during the race to keep
themselves healthy," offered Dr. Perry Julien, medical director for
Sunday's race. "We treated about 400 people, far fewer than we expected
considering the record temperatures. The ailments we treated were
consistent with what you'd expect in a race with these distances:
exhaustion, heat illness, sprains, cramping, and blisters."
Despite the challenges, and the record high temperature, 4,340 racers
finished the 26.2-mile marathon course and 8,918 completed the 13.1-mile
half marathon course that traveled through Atlanta's in-town neighborhoods,
including MLK, Sweet Auburn, Decatur, North Druid Hills, Virginia
Highlands, Poncey Highlands, and Inman Park. The 2008 will maintain the
tour of in-town neighborhoods with planned changes to the start and finish
to better accommodate the racers.
"We're proud that ING was part of this successful inaugural race," said Tom
Waldron, executive vice president, ING Americas. "The ING Georgia Marathon
& Half Marathon showcased the best of Atlanta from the great neighborhoods
to the enthusiastic spectators to the hundreds of dedicated volunteers
whose work ensured a successful race. We look forward to partnering with
the Georgia Marathon, LLC to build on this year's success."
In addition to ING, sponsors of the inaugural ING Georgia Marathon & Half
Marathon included (in alphabetical order): AT&T, Atlanta Sports & Fitness,
Big Peach Running Company, Caribou Coffee, Clif Bar, Coca-Cola, Comcast,
Delta Air Lines, Emory Healthcare, GM/Saturn, KPMG, MARTA, Mizuno USA, Omni
Hotel at CNN Center, PSI Promotional Solutions, Inc., Publix, Raving
Brands, Underground Atlanta, UPS, Waffle House, WXIA-TV, and radio stations
99X, Q100, and 680AM the Fan.
Race Highlights
· 15,000 Total Entrants
· 13,730 Total Starters
· 13,258 Total Finishers
· 96.6 Percent Finishing Rate
· Total Prize Purse: more than $30,000
· Age of youngest marathoner: 18
· Age of oldest marathoner: 78
· U.S. states represented: 50
· Countries represented: more than 25
· Number of volunteers: more than 2,000
· Temperature at the start: 59 F
· Temperature at the finish: 87 F (a record high in Atlanta)
· 250 schoolchildren from four Atlanta middle schools finished the Final
Mile as part of ING's Run for Something Better
The 2008 ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon will be held on Sunday, March
30. For more information, please visit www.inggeorgiamarathon.com.
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