Posted: January 6, 2004

Athletics: Napa Valley Marathon Nearing Entry Limit

NAPA, Calif. - (January 5, 2004) - Event organizers for the 26th Annual Napa Valley Marathon have announced that entries for the March 7, 2004 race are rapidly filling and that it expects to reach its 2,200 runner limit by mid-January. The popular 26.2-mile event that tours Napa's world-renowned wine country has received about 1,400 entries to date, a 20 percent increase over entries received at this time last year. The race has sold out for the last several years.

"As with many of the country's most popular marathons, we are receiving a continuing wave of interest in our event," said Co-Race Director David Hill. "Our entry cap allows us to provide the highest quality marathon possible for our participants. To avoid disappointment, I recommend that runners register immediately."

The $80 early registration fee for the marathon goes up to $100 on entries received after February 1. There is no race-day registration. Runners can register online or download an entry form at www.napa-marathon.com Alternatively, contact the race at NVM, PO Box 4307, Napa 94558, e-mail: nvm@napanet.net, telephone: (707) 255-2609 or fax: (707) 257-6515.

All proceeds from the Napa Valley Marathon (a non-profit organization) are donated to local charities in the Napa Valley.

The race receives approximately 84 percent of its registrations online, which is the fastest and most convenient entry method for runners in a hurry. All registrants receive a long-sleeve race T-shirt, finisher's medal, goody bag and (new this year) a high-quality duffel bag.

"About half of our entrants each year have run Napa before," said Hill, "which is a testimonial to the care we provide our runners. We have about 1,300 race volunteers to serve 2,200 participants. The dedication of the residents in the Napa Valley to hosting a first-class event is readily apparent."

Known as the "biggest little marathon in the West," the Napa Valley Marathon has earned a reputation for outstanding runner support, attention to detail and a breathtaking point-to-point course. In its January 2002 issue, Runner's World magazine named the Napa Valley Marathon one of the Top 20 Marathons in the U.S.

The Napa Valley Marathon boasts one of the most beautiful courses in the world. The course runs the length of the Napa Valley. It begins in Calistoga, famous for its geysers and hot springs, and winds south along the historic Silverado Trail (a paved road) to a finish at Vintage High School in north Napa. Except for the last half-mile, the entire course is rural. Runners are treated to panoramic views of the valley, flowering fruit trees and dormant vineyards carpeted with golden mustard flowers.

The 2004 edition of the NVM has again been selected by the Road Runners Club of America as its National Marathon Championships - a designation it has received since 1998. In 1996, the race served as the RRCA Western Regional Championships.

Napa Valley Marathon weekend includes a Sports and Fitness Expo, Saturday, March 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa. Also on slate is the marathon's popular Marathon College, an innovative speaker/seminar program that includes a "faculty" composed of respected running authorities and celebrity runners such as Joe Henderson (author of 23 running books and Runner's World columnist) and Dick Beardsley (fourth fastest American marathoner of all time and NVM course record holder).