Posted: August 4, 2004

Athletics: Changes Announced for 2005 Country Music Marathon™ & ˝ Marathon

Wave Start Planned for First Time in Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - (August 2, 2004) - Elite Racing, Inc., organizers of the Country Music Marathon & ˝ Marathon, announced several changes for the 2005 event in a recent press conference. With an eye toward continued growth, the sixth annual race, scheduled for April 30, 2005, will be the first Elite Racing event to implement a wave start.

The 2004 Country Music Marathon & ˝ Marathon enjoyed a 30% growth in participation as a record breaking 16,123 runners registered for the race. Organizers recognized a need to ease crowding in the early stages of the race where marathoners and half marathoners run together for the first 10 miles. The wave start will alleviate crowding on the course and ensure that all runners enjoy their experience in Music City.

In addition to the wave start, the elimination of the hill at mile 11 on the half marathon course will help maintain each runner's rhythm throughout the 13.1-mile journey. With over 11,000 half marathoners in 2004, this course adjustment will only increase the participation and excitement on the scenic half marathon route through Music City.

"After making significant changes to the marathon course in 2004, and successfully designing a flatter, faster course, we just needed to make minor adjustments," said Adam Zocks, General Manager of the Country Music Marathon & ˝ Marathon. "By implementing a wave start, we can continue to grow the event and bring more visitors to Nashville while still giving our runners a great, comfortable race."

With these changes, the race is able to set an aggressive goal of trying to increase its participation to 18,000 for the 2005 event.

Both the marathon and half-marathon courses start in Centennial Park on West End Ave. and finish outside of The Coliseum, home of the Tennessee Titans. Runners are treated to Nashville's Music Row, Belmont University and Bicentennial Mall. Marathoners also run along the Cumberland River and through beautiful Shelby Park.

The Country Music Marathon & ˝ Marathon also announced Fifth Third Bank, which debuted as the event's official bank in 2004, has committed to a three-year partnership with the race. Fifth Third Bank will again be the exclusive financial services sponsor and will enjoy naming rights of the Fifth Third Bank Family Reunion.

In 2004, the Country Music Marathon & ˝ Marathon, celebrated its fifth anniversary as one of four musical marathon events created by Elite Racing. Participants experience live bands playing approximately every mile along the 26.2 and 13.1-mile course, hundreds of cheerleaders and a post race concert featuring a major headlining act. Past performers include Martina McBride, Jo Dee Messina, Diamond Rio and Brad Paisley.

For more information or to register for the race, visit www.cmmarathon.com or contact the Country Music Marathon, 240 Great Circle Road, Suite 340, Nashville, TN 37228 or call (615) 742-1660.

ABOUT CMM
The Country Music Marathon & ˝ Marathon is produced by Elite Racing, Inc. The annual event attracts over 16,000 runners and 100,000 spectators and benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, raising over $2.5 million annually. In addition, the race receives extensive national, regional and local media coverage and is taped to broadcast regionally on Comcast Sports Southeast and nationally on Fox Sports Net.

Elite Racing, Inc., a sports marketing and management company based in San Diego, Calif., is the leader in producing world-class running events. In addition to the Country Music Marathon & ˝ Marathon, Elite Racing, a Running USA Founding Member, produces eight events each year, including the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona, the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon and the Carlsbad 5000, the world's fastest 5K.