FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Karen Boe
801-412-6060
Olympians Dixon, Ditz to Kick-Off 20-Week
Salt Lake City Marathon Training Program
Appearances and a Runner's Workshop to be Held
Jan 12-14 in Orem, Ogden, and Salt Lake City
SALT LAKE CITY - (January 10, 2006) - Organizers of the Salt Lake City
Marathon have announced plans for the official training program to kick off
on January 14, 2006 for the 3rd annual Salt Lake City Marathon on Saturday,
June 3, 2006 with Olympic medalist Rod Dixon, Olympian Nancy Ditz and Coach
Pat Connelly. Rod and Pat will speak to groups on January 12th in Orem,
while Rod, Nancy and Pat will speak on the 13th in Ogden. The training
seminars will culminate in a comprehensive Runner's Workshop at the Salt
Lake City Center Marriott from 10:00am - 1:00pm on Saturday, January 14.
Mayor Rocky Anderson will join the Workshop at noon.
Registration for the seminars is free - an RSVP is required by calling
(801) 412-6060 or email: .
The 20-week fee-based training program is supported and directed by Salt
Lake Running Company and the Salt Lake City Track Club. Registration will
be available and full program details will be announced at the training
seminars in January. The cost of the training program is $30 and includes
an official in-training t-shirt, Fazoli's coupons, a 50+ page manual,
monthly training seminars, free admission to the Salt Lake City Roadrunners
Training Runs, monthly presentations with experts on training, nutrition,
equipment, hydration, sports medicine, a Salt Lake City Marathon goodie
bag, the ability to register for the marathon at a reduced rate of $70 and
more.
Rod Dixon, Devine Racing's Director of Training, was a 1972 Olympic bronze
medalist whose come-from-behind win at the 1983 New York City Marathon is
one of the most memorable in history. Rod will oversee the specialized
training program by offering "professional marathon training for the
everyday athlete." Over the course of the marathon training course, he will
bring in legendary marathon runners and experts in sports medicine,
training and nutrition. Flamboyant, funny and always a media darling, Rod
is one of the pioneers of his sport.
Coach Pat Connelly will be joining Rod Dixon at all speaking engagements
Pat Connelly's success as a coach reaches beyond the competitive arena and
includes guiding thousands of amateur runners through marathons around the
world. He has taken over 27,000 runners from "Novice to Natural" during the
last 16 years, generating an astounding 99.0% finishing rate with an
average of 48% being first-time marathoners. His published book on running
is titled, "Go the Distance."
Nancy Ditz, will join the group in Ogden on the 13th and the Runner's
Workshop on the 14th. She was a member of the 1988 U.S. Olympic team in the
marathon (17th place). She also represented the United States at the 1987
IAAF World Outdoor Championships (7th place), the 1985 World Cup Marathon
and the 1985-86 World 15K Championships where she earned team bronze
medals. Ms. Ditz has won events in Australia (three-time City to Surf
champion) and Japan (Miyazaki 20K) as well as the Los Angeles Marathon and
San Francisco Bay to Breakers 12K.
Organizers of the third annual Salt Lake City Marathon announced that the
entire weekend of events is being moved to Saturday, June 3, 2006. A
half-marathon will be added to accommodate those runners that want to
participate but may not be ready for a full marathon or for those training
for late summer or fall marathons. Online registration is available at
www.SaltLakeCityMarathon.com or call (801) 412-6060.
About the Salt Lake City Marathon
Salt Lake City Marathon has become one of the most spectacular new
marathons on the endurance racing circuit. The Salt Lake City Marathon was
among 12 new favorites listed by Runner's World in the 2005 Marathon Guide
in their January article: "Small Wonders: Big Fun, Big Scenery, Big
Rewards." January's Competitor Magazine and Rocky Mountain Sports Magazine
both tout Salt Lake City as the "Best Race at Altitude." Top runners from
around the world will enjoy mild running weather in June, in a setting that
surrounds them with still snow-capped peaks contrasting with late spring
blossoms, all along a flat and slightly downhill 26.2 mile course.
About Devine Racing
The Devine Racing offices are located at 136 E South Temple in Salt Lake
City, Utah. For race information, contact Greg Reid, Race Director at (801)
412-6060. Devine Racing was created to acquire and oversee prestigious
amateur athletic events in major destination cities, particularly
marathons, triathlons and road races. With a goal of acquiring premier
running events, the intent is to build them into the most well-respected
running events in the world. Devine Racing focuses on enhancing the
participant experience, building an entire weekend of spectacular events
from fitness expos to major post race concerts designed to celebrate the
accomplishments of the athletes. Devine Racing launched the Salt Lake City
Marathon in April of 2004 and now owns the "New" Las Vegas Marathon and the
Los Angeles Marathon. Other recently acquired events include The Chicago
Half Marathon and Chicago's new highly successful Chicago Big 10K. Steve
Miller serves as CEO, Chris Devine as Chairman, Bruce Buzil is Vice
Chairman and Scott Kerr is the Vice President of Race Operations. The
privately held company was established in 2003.
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