FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
US Road Sports & Entertainment Group Buys
ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon
Spring Combo Race Changes Ownership,
Provides Infrastructure for Long Term Success
(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 it 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.'"
US Road Sports is acquiring a successful, award-winning event. 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.
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