FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nearly 5,000 To Hit The Road Sunday At The
Third Annual Cox Providence Rhode Races
Providence, RI - Nearly 5,000 runners are expected to converge in
downtown Providence, Sunday, May 2 to take part in the 2010 Cox Providence
Rhode Races. This unique event features the Cox Sports Marathon, Shape Up
RI Half Marathon and the Harpoon 5k.
"The city of Providence is pleased and honored to host the third annual Cox
Providence Rhode Races," said Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline. "Fans
of marathon and 5k racing who are coming from near and far are sure to
enjoy the spirited competition of this exciting event."
Runners - ranging in age from 11-77 years-old - are coming from as far away
as Germany, Bermuda, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom to compete in
Sunday's event that will showcase Providence and its surrounding
communities.
"The Cox Providence Rhode Races offers something for everyone," said Brewer
Rowe, race director, Cox Rhode Races. "We have a wide-range of participants
scheduled to compete, from experienced runners to first-time marathoners.
It's going to be a great event."
The highlight of the Cox Providence Rhode Races is the Cox Sports Marathon.
A 2011 Boston Marathon qualifier, the Cox Sports Marathon runs through the
capital city and scenic East Bay.
The 26.2 mile race kicks off at 8 a.m. on Exchange Terrance, next to
Burnside Park (adjacent to Kennedy Plaza) in Downtown Providence. The
course will wind through downtown and head out to the East Side. Runners
will continue to Gano Street, past India Point Park, over the Henderson
Bridge and continue on to the East Bay Bike Path. The course continues
through Barrington to the YMCA. Runners then head back towards Providence,
via the East Bay Bike Path and then continue over the Washington Bridge
back through India Point Park towards the Capital City. The marathon
concludes on Exchange Terrace in Downtown Providence.
Runners participating in the Cox Rhode Races on Sunday will be the first in
Rhode Island to experience the new state-of-the-art chip timing system
known as the B-Tag.
Launched by ChronoTrack Systems at the start of 2010, the new disposable
timing tag is located right on the runner's bib. Until now, previous timing
devices have forced an extra step for the runner. Runners utilizing the
D-Tag had to loop the device through their shoe laces. Another option was a
timing chip that forced the runners to turn the device in upon completion
of the race.
The B-Tag offers accuracy and puts the timing chip right on the runner's
bib. The B-Tag also avoids finish line congestion.
The Cox Sports Marathon and Shape Up RI Half Marathon are the first 26.2
mile and 13.1 mile races in New England to utilize this new timing system.
"Our focus is to provide the greatest and most seamless running experience
for the participants of the Cox Rhode Races," said John Mathews,
president, Eident Sports, producer of the Cox Rhode Races. "The B-Tag is
the easiest and most accurate timing device available. We are excited that
Cox Sports Marathon and Shape Up RI Half Marathon are the first endurance
races in New England to utilize this device. This will be a great
experience for the runners."
The Cox Sports Marathon and Shape Up RI Half Marathon begin at 8 a.m. on
Exchange Terrace. The Harpoon 5k starts at 11:15 a.m. on Washington Street
(between Burnside Park and the bus depot). Full course descriptions of all
races are located at www.coxrhoderaces.com.
There is still time to register for the Cox Sports Marathon; Shape Up RI
Half Marathon and Harpoon 5k. Runners can register at the Health and
Wellness Expo at the Westin Providence, Friday, April 30, 1-7 p.m.,
Saturday, May 1, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. On race day, Sunday, May 2, registration
will be open at 6:30 a.m. at the Westin Hotel.
Cox Communications is the Title sponsor of the Cox Providence Rhode Races.
Charitable partners include Cox Charities New England, The Leukemia &
Lymphoma Society Team in Training, American Cancer Society, Lung Cancer
Alliance, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Melanoma Foundation and the
March of Dimes.
###
|
