FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jana Allred
(801) 244-1892
Salt Lake City Marathon Announces Inaugural New Half Marathon
New Course Will Showcase Beautiful Salt Lake City Neighborhoods
SALT LAKE CITY - (April 3, 2006) - Devine Sports, producers of the third
annual Salt Lake City Marathon, have announced the addition of a Half
Marathon, presented by 1280 Sports Radio, The Zone. The new Half Marathon
has been added to the June 3rd Marathon, 5K Run/Walk, Bike Tour and
Intermountain Kids Marathon 1K in order to accommodate runners who may not
be ready to run a full marathon. Online registration is available at
www.SaltLakeCityMarathon.com or by calling (801) 412-6060.
Scott Kerr, Vice President of the Salt Lake City Marathon, noted, "We're
excited about the addition of a half-marathon this year. For two
consecutive years, adding this has been our #1 request. The 13.1 mile race
offers runners the best of both worlds. It traces the steps of the full
marathon for two-thirds of the way while offering the runners the most
scenic parts of the course, but at only half the distance. The Salt Lake
City Half Marathon is expected to draw thousands of additional runners,
truly making this a community event."
The new Half Marathon will share a common start at 6:45am with the Marathon
at the Olympic Legacy Bridge at the University of Utah. The course splits
from the full marathon shortly before entering Sugarhouse Park at the 4.5
mile mark. Runners will proceed southbound on 1700 East, turning west on
Stratford Avenue, then turning south on Dearborn until they reach 2700
South.
Runners will then proceed west until 1100 East, then north through the
quaint business district of Sugarhouse to 1700 South. Runners will then
head west, where they will rejoin the full marathon course at 500 East,
with approximately 4 miles left to run.
The excitement and beauty of the full course will not be lost on the Half
Marathon. While on the flat and slightly downhill course, runners will
enjoy being surrounded by the still snow-capped mountain peaks, late spring
blossoms and beautiful neighborhoods. They will also share the same crowds
of enthusiastic and cheering spectators all the way to the electric finish
at the Olympic Legacy Plaza at The Gateway in downtown Salt Lake.
Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson says, "The addition of a new
half-marathon is a wonderful bonus to an already outstanding weekend of
fitness events for the citizens of the Salt Lake valley. The Salt Lake City
Marathon truly showcases the best of Utah to all our visitors, gathers our
local community together, and greatly benefits Salt Lake City, as it
brought over $4 million visitor dollars into our community last year."
The 4-1/2 mile portion of the Half Marathon course, not traditionally
affected by the full marathon, is expected to have minimal impact on
businesses and traffic, as it will only be closed from 6:30-9:00am. A
mailer will be sent to all affected households along the new portion of the
course, and marathon organizers will go door-to-door to ensure that
everyone is well informed. Police will be asked to allow traffic thru
intersections as gaps in the runners exist.
Online registration is open and filling quickly. The cost to participate is
$55 before April 27. Participants can sign up online and learn more at
www.SaltLakeCityMarathon.com. Group discounts are available for 10 or more
registering at the same time (mail in only).
About 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." For race
information, contact Scott Kerr at (801) 412-6060.
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