Posted: February 11, 2004

Athletics: Anthem Bay Bridge Marathon Discontinued For 2004

(February 11, 2004 -- Virginia Beach, VA) ---- The Anthem Bay Bridge Marathon, a weekend of October running events produced by the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, has been discontinued.

The concept for the Anthem Bay Bridge Marathon was a great one. Race organizers recognized and were equipped for the considerable logistics required by an event of this magnitude. However, the resources needed to overcome these challenges year after year and to continue producing a first-class event into the future simply are not available.

"We were pleased to sponsor this one-of-a-kind race. Events such as the Anthem Bay Bridge Marathon that promote healthy lifestyles are a good fit for our company," said Brooke Taylor, vice president for community relations, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. "In two years, more than $25,000 was donated to the American Heart Association to support education and research in the Hampton Roads region."

In 2004, the Neptune Festival is expanding its long-popular Sandman Triathlon. In addition, plans are being considered for a new health and fitness weekend, featuring a series of Festival-sponsored sporting events in the oceanfront resort.

For more information, please call Whit Collins at 757/498-0215.