FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Megan Ryan
Marketing & PR Manager
(763) 287-3888, ext. 13
TC 1 MILE ANNOUNCES PRIZE PURSE AND BENEFIT WAVE FOR BOLDER OPTIONS
New Twin Cities Marathon Event held
in conjunction with Marathon Registration Kick-Off
(Minneapolis, MN) - The Twin Cities Marathon (TCM) announced today that the
inaugural TC 1 Mile, presented by M&I Bank will have a $3,000 prize purse
as well as a non-competitive wave to benefit Bolder Options, a local youth
mentoring program. Participants of the TC 1 Mile will run through the
streets of downtown Minneapolis, cross the Hennepin Avenue Bridge, and end
near 222 1st Avenue NE on Thursday, April 28, 2005. The first wave begins
at 6:45p.m., as Olympian Carrie Tollefson leads the non-competitive "Bolder
Wave," followed by age group waves. The race will culminate with an open
wave featuring Luke Watson, a Team USA Minnesota athlete with a 3:57
personal record in the mile.
The $3,000 prize purse will award five deep for men and women in open and
masters categories as well as the opportunity to win a trip to Boulder,
Colorado to compete in the America's Downtown Mile Championship. TCM
officials say the elite field is wide open. "We're hoping to cultivate a
great inaugural field with this prize purse and revive a unique distance
race in a great downtown setting," said Brian Mastel, TCM Race Operations
Manager.
Race organizers are quick to point out that the race is by no means just
for elite athletes. "In addition to the competitive wave, everyday runners
are invited to run in age group waves or join Olympian Carrie Tollefson and
other Team USA Minnesota athletes in the "Bolder Wave," said Virginia
Brophy Achman, TCM Executive Director. The Bolder Wave is a
non-competitive wave that benefits Bolder Options, a local non-profit that
uses running and biking to mentor at-risk youth.
"This new member of the TCM family of events offers something for everyone
and is a great way to kick-off Marathon Registration," said Brophy Achman.
"We want to challenge people to come downtown, run the mile and have fun
with it. If we can motivate someone to take the first step and run the TC
1 Mile, our hope is that some day they will be able to conquer the TC 10
Mile and even the marathon," said Brophy Achman.
Registration for the TC 1 Mile is just $15 and includes a Brooks technical
participant shirt. The entry fee for those interested in supporting Bolder
Options is $25, with the added amount going directly to support Bolder
Options. Online registration is available now at
www.twincitiesmarathon.org.
The race is held in conjunction with Twin Cities Marathon Registration
Kick-Off Party. "Most people know that our race takes place the first
Sunday in October, but what they don't realize is that in order to get into
the race, you need to register quickly!" The marathon field will grow by
500 entries to 10,500 this year, but usually closes within three weeks.
"We are lucky to have such a beautiful course and a well organized race
that is always in high demand," said Brophy Achman. Marathon Registration
will take place from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at 222 Event Centre located at 222
1st Avenue NE, Minneapolis.
The 2005 Twin Cities Marathon weekend will take place September 30 -
October 2, 2005. The three-day weekend celebration of fitness includes a
5K run/walk, children's fun runs, pasta dinner, health and fitness expo and
TC 10 Mile in addition to the marathon. TCM continues its 15th consecutive
year as the designated USATF National Masters Championship for both men and
women and will also host the USATF men's and women's open Marathon
Championships. Major corporate sponsors include Cub Foods, Capella
University and ING. Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. is a non-profit organization
that directs the TCM weekend as a community service for the Minneapolis/St.
Paul area. Visit www.twincitiesmarathon.org for more information.
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