FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: John Bradley
(435) 634-5850

ELITE FIELD ANNOUNCED FOR ST. GEORGE MARATHON

St. George (September 24, 2004) - The Largest single day event in
Southern Utah which includes 6200 runners and over 1700 volunteers will
provide some exciting competition. Recently selected by Runners World
Magazine as one of the top 4 Marathons in the world "To build a vacation
around," the 2004 Marathon will be led by St. George Marathon veterans
Corbin Talley and Ken Pliska. Talley a native of Farmington, UT has placed
in the top 4 in the Salt Lake, Deseret News/KJZZ and St. George Marathon's.
This past spring, Talley placed 49th in the Olympic trials. Ken Pliska from
Littleton, MA was the Second U.S. Finisher in the 2003 Boston Marathon and
18th overall runner. Last year, Pliska raced to a 2:20:48 time winning him
Second place in the St. George Marathon. He also had an 2004 Olympic Trial
time of 2:29:01 placing him 56th overall.

Other runners with experience will be in line competing for the chance to
attend the Ibigawa Marathon in Japan. These include Boise Marathon and Top
of Utah Marathon winner Alexander Pachev and consistent top 3 placer in the
Flying Pig Marathon, Isaac Barnes. The Top Overall Male and Female
as well as the Top Masters Male and Female receive an all expense paid trip
to Japan for the November 14, 2004 Ibigawa Marathon. Five time St. George
Marathon Masters champion Jerry Henley will also be returning.

The women's race is led by St. George Marathon veterans Suzy Schumacher and
Brenda Graham-Gray both projecting 2:43:00 times. Suzy Schumacher placed
3rd in the 2003 Chicago Half Marathon and ran a 2:56:23 at the 2004 Olympic
Trials. Last year's St. George Marathon 3rd place winner Brenda
Graham-Gray, comes from Rock Springs, Wy. Brenda also has an impressive
running resume with a recent 10th place finish at the Salt Lake Marathon
and a personal best 2:44:22. Other top contending females include Salt
Lake City runner Julie Thomas, Cheryl Harper from Orem, UT and Mary Ann
Protz from St. Petersburg, FL. Protz placed Second in Overall
Female in the 2004 Disney Marathon and Harper has previously won the 1986
and 1991 St. George Marathons.

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