Press Release - Little Rock Marathon - 7/21/06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                          Contact: Geneva Hampton
                                                   501-371-4639
                                                   501-351-7730 cell
                                                   
                                                   Gina Marchese Pharis
                                                   501-918-5321
                                                   501-351-7700 cell
                                                   


  Little Rock Marathon Registration Opens - Early Registration Going Well 
      Race Officials Anticipate Record Participation In the 2007 Race

LITTLE ROCK, AR (July 20, 2006) - Registrations are now being accepted for 
the 5th running of the Little Rock Marathon, presented by the Arkansas 
Democrat Gazette scheduled for March 4, 2007. With an early registration 
discount being offered, race officials anticipate the largest field of 
participants in the races' history and are making preparations for 9,500 
participants. The race is a project of Little Rock Parks & Recreation.

"This is the first year we have offered a discount for people who want to 
sign up early," said Greg Hatcher, race chairman. "We usually begin getting 
registrations in when training begins in October. We are hoping to have our 
races filled by January this year."

"Our largest increase in participation on the 2006 race (held earlier this 
year) was the half marathon, which grew 35% from 2005," said Hatcher. 

"All the races grow significantly each year with no signs of slowing down," 
he said. "We hope that offering a discount will get participants signed up 
early so we can get a good handle on expenses. A sell out would be a nice 
problem to have."

"I believe our trend will continue in 2007," Hatcher noted. "The word is 
out on the street. We produce a quality event that showcases our state and 
if we just do what we did earlier this year, we could double our numbers 
again. Marathoners want to participate in quality races like the Little 
Rock Marathon."

The discount for early registration ends before midnight September 1. 

Entry Fees are as following:
                    thru        thru        after       race
                    midnight    midnight    midnight    weekend
                    9/1/06      2/1/07      2/1/07	 
Marathon            $55         $65         $75         $85
Half Marathon       $35         $45         $55         $65
Relay Half Marathon $25         $35         $45         $55
(per person 
5K Fun Run/Walk     $15         $20         $25         $35
Little Rockers      $10         $15         $20         $25
Kids Marathon

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette offers a $15 discount to participants in the 
full 26.2 marathon in addition to the early registration discount. 
Restrictions apply. See the website for details. 

Online registration for any of the races is available at 
www.littlerockmarathon.com until February 21, 2007. Paper registration 
forms can be printed from the website or obtained by calling Little Rock 
Parks & Recreation at 501-371-4770. Paper entries must be received by 
February 21, 2007. 


                            ###