Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 26, 2001
ANTHEM DERBY FESTIVAL MARATHON COURSE UNVEILED
The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Derby Festival Marathon –
Kentucky’s first major USATF-certified 26.2-mile race – will make
its debut on Saturday, April 27, in conjunction with the 29th
running of the Derby Festival’s miniMarathon. The Marathon will
be held in the midst of the Kentucky Derby Festival, one of the
nation’s largest civic celebrations. In addition to the Marathon
and half-marathon, the entire race weekend will offer a host of
other Derby Festival events for both runners and spectators alike.
The Anthem Derby Festival Marathon, an official qualifier for the
Boston Marathon, will start simultaneously with the miniMarathon
at 7:30 a.m. Marathon runners will follow the same course until the
Mile 12 marker, splitting off at 7th and Broadway. Runners will
continue east on Broadway to Barret Avenue, through the Highlands
area and Cherokee Park, along Cherokee Road to Baxter, Main and
River Road, eventually rejoining the mini route at 7th and Broadway.
The Marathon finish line will share the same location as the mini’s
at 6th and Market streets.
The Marathon route will introduce neighborhoods previously not
exposed to a major road race. Said KDF Race Director Mary Cecil:
"We’re excited about involving areas such as the Highlands and
west Louisville in the Derby Festival Marathon. We hope they
will turn out to support these dedicated athletes and embrace
the race as residents of south Louisville have done with the
miniMarathon for the past 29 years." Cecil said race information
has been sent to local alderman and neighborhoods groups affected
by the course, soliciting their input and involvement in the race.
"A city this size should have a full marathon," said Andy Jugan,
executive director of the Greater Louisville Sports Commission,
which is helping to coordinate the race. "The Derby Festival has
established the mini as one of the best-organized half-marathons in
the country and marathon runners can expect the same kind of quality.
We hope the race will attract a lot of out-of-town runners."
The inaugural Derby Festival Marathon:
· Is sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
· Includes 13 water stops, 7 of them during the last 14 miles.
Police will man traffic flow locations; KDF and/or National Guard
volunteers will manage non-traffic flow areas. Jewish Hospital will
provide four safety areas along the route. Runners are expected to
maintain a minimum pace of 15 minutes, 30 seconds per mile.
· Will offer $2,500 in prize money for the first-place male
and female finishers. The winner of the Wheelchair Division will
receive $1,000. The top male and female finisher from Kentucky will
each be awarded $2,000. There will also be prizes for the top 3 age
group finishers.
· Offers runners completing the race by 2 p.m.: a finisher’s
medal; Dooley’s Bagels, fresh fruit and an isotonic beverage at the
finish; a Derby Festival Marathon T-shirt; a Marathon poster; and a
customized certificate of completion.
· Will cost $60 to participate if registered by April 9, 2002;
registration is $75 from April 10-23. Runners can register now at
www.kdf.org or www.cingularwirelesstriplecrown.com. For runners
interested in completing all three legs of the Cingular Wireless
Triple Crown of Running, either the Marathon or miniMarathon can
be used as the final leg.
· Offers a free training program for Marathon and miniMarathon
participants, with the first of three meetings to be held Jan. 3,
2002, at 6 p.m. at the Jewish Hospital Healthy Lifestyle Center
in the Bashford Manor Mall.
Suellen Brill, public relations manager for Anthem, said: "Anthem Blue
Cross and Blue Shield is thrilled to sponsor the first-ever Marathon
and the on-going miniMarathon. We think these races are very important
because of the direct link they have to the health of the people of
this community."
Jim Estes, a three-time miniMarathon winner and owner of Fleet Feet
Sports, said he believes the Derby Festival Marathon will only enhance
the already established mini, which is ranked as the third-largest
half-marathon in the nation. "The Marathon will basically extend the
excitement of the mini," Estes said. "Derby Festival is the best
time to come to Louisville … people will get to see what this city
is all about."
More about the Anthem Derby Festival Marathon
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