FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Prague Eager to Welcome 19th World Congress of AIMS

Prague (20 Feb): After record-breaking winter cold across Europe, the
spring will soon greet Prague, the host city to the 19th World Congress
of AIMS, the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races.
AIMS member races voted for Prague to be the venue of the 19th Congress
from 10-12 May 2012 at the previous AIMS Congress held in Athens in
October 2010. This Olympic year also marks the 30th Anniversary of the
establishment of AIMS, as well as the 60th Anniversary of Czech Olympic
runner Emil Zatopek's three gold medals won in the 1952 Olympic Games in
Helsinki.

The Congress will open on the morning of Thursday 10 May, and will
continue through to Saturday evening (12 May) with a series of
presentations, interactive workshops and seminars that revolve around
two main topics: Women in Running and Innovative Technologies. More than
100 marathon and long-distance race organizers from around the globe are
expected to come to Prague, including those from the B.A.A Boston
Marathon, the BMW Berlin Marathon, the Athens Classic Marathon, the
Barcelona Marathon, the Comrades Marathon and many other honourable AIMS
member races. AIMS' partners will attend and offer new ideas for
improving the experience of participants in distance races.

Through the support and patronage of the City of Prague, the first
evening of Congress will welcome guests to the splendor of the city
through a dinner at the Mayor's residence, commemorating the 30th
anniversary of AIMS. In addition to presentations and meetings the
Congress delegates will have a full program of networking events and
festivities, including the Marathon Sport Expo and Prague Spring Concert
on 12 May.

Those interested in attending the 19th World Congress of AIMS should go
to http://www.aimscongress2012.cz for registration and more information
regarding the full program. Registration closes on Saturday 31 March
2012.

To top off of the weekend, the Volkswagen Prague Marathon kicks off (and
finishes) in Prague's famous Old Town Square. The course leads runners
through a labyrinth amid Prague's most beautiful quarters. The Hervis
Prague Half Marathon on 31 March sold out two months in advance, and
registration for the Volkswagen Prague Marathon is likely to close
before the end of March.

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