Posted: February 16, 2005

Athletics: Los Angeles Marathon Goes The Extra Mile For Its Duathletes

“Spa On Wheels” Shuttle To Deliver Pampered “Peddlers” to Marathon Start Line

LOS ANGELES, CA (February 15, 2005) — The Los Angeles Marathon went the distance this morning for a special group of athletes registered for the March 6 event by rolling out its new “Spa On Wheels” shuttle, an innovative concept that may offer 120 men and women a big leg-up on event day.

For those who will start their morning with the 11th annual Acura L.A. Bike Tour – a 22.7-mile leisure ride through the traffic-free streets of Los Angeles – the Spa On Wheels shuttle will provide transport from the Acura L.A. Bike Tour finish line at University of Southern California (USC) to the Marathon start line at Figueroa Blvd. and 6th Street in downtown Los Angeles where they will begin the 26.2-mile race. The shuttle solves the problem of getting from one event to the next on time and without having to traverse several additional miles on bike or on foot.

While any shuttle could have addressed the transportation challenge these duathletes have faced since the Acura L.A. Bike Tour’s inception a decade ago, the always-innovative L.A. Marathon took the concept one-step further and today unveiled a Metropolitan Transit Authority bus whose exterior featured the L.A. Marathon 20th anniversary artwork created by presenting sponsor American Motor Honda Co. Inc., and Acura, the title sponsor of the Acura L.A. Bike Tour, and whose interior reflected a serene spa-like environment created by Whole Life Consultants (WLC), a spa management and consulting firm based in Hermosa Beach, Calif. WLC operates Checkers Spa at the Hilton Checkers Hotel and the Good Samaritan Hospital in downtown Los Angeles, and the Beach House Spa at the Beach House Hotel in Hermosa Beach.

The unveiling took place at USC near the actual Acura L.A. Bike Tour finish line. Several duathletes including Julie Wang of Glendale, Martine Janah of San Pedro and Bill Peterson of Los Angeles and John Howard, three-time Olympic cyclist, world record holder and cycling coach for the Acura L.A. Bike Tour were on hand for the unveiling to “test-drive” the concept. The athletes experienced mini neck, arm, shoulder, leg and foot massages, which will be offered to all riders on race day. Sparkletts water was available in addition to other re-energizing drinks and snacks such as Gatorade and Clif Bars. For pain relief, SALONPAS, external pain relieving patches and air spray, will be available on event day.

In addition to the decked-out bus, the duathletes were led by a certified instructor at WLC in a series of yoga stretches and poses to enhance mental and physical recovery.

“This Spa On Wheels hits the nail on the head for so many of us who specifically asked the L.A. Marathon for help in participating in both events,” said Martine Janah. “What’s more is that the soothing massages, aromatherapy, yoga and calming, comfortable environment will allow us to focus and prepare physically and mentally for the 26.2-mile challenge that still awaits us three-miles down the road from the Bike Tour. I am certain this will improve the experience of all duathletes this year.”

The L.A. Marathon was the first to offer a pre-marathon bike ride as part of Marathon-day events, and as such, is the first Marathon with the unique challenge of transporting more than 100 dual athletes. The Spa On Wheels shuttle concept came as a response to feedback from L.A. Marathon dual athletes who enjoyed the challenge of completing both events, but wanted an easier option for getting from the Acura L.A. Bike Tour finish line to the start of the Marathon.

The Acura L.A. Bike Tour begins at 6 a.m. on March 6. Cyclists can be seen crossing the finish line via a live broadcast on NBC4 in Los Angeles beginning at 7:30 a.m. For the first time ever, the broadcast, which ends at 11 a.m., will be made available to a global audience via the World Wide Web by logging on to NBC4.tv or by linking through the L.A. Marathon Website at lamarathon.com. A Spanish-language live broadcast will take place on Telemundo 52 from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The L.A. Marathon is the largest marathon in the state, fourth largest in the country and seventh largest in the world. It is expected to draw more than 25,000 runners from all 50 states and 80 countries. Historically, 80 percent of all participants have hailed Southern California as their home making the race one of the City’s most highly participated and defining events.

The L.A. Marathon presented by Honda takes place Sunday, March 6, 2005. In addition to American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Marathon sponsors include American Airlines, City of Angels Medical Center, NBC4, Telemundo 52, Saucony, Sparkletts and Emerald Nuts. To date, more than 350,000 runners and walkers have participated in the L.A. Marathon. For more information or to register for L.A. Marathon XX visit www.lamarathon.com or call (310) 444-5544.

(From left to right) Acura L.A. Bike Tour cycling coach John Howard and L.A. Marathon duathlete Julie Wang enjoy massages aboard the L.A. Marathon’s new “Spa On Wheels” shuttle at an unveiling event on Tuesday, February 15. The Spa On Wheels shuttle will transport 120 duathletes from the end of the Acura L.A. Bike Tour to the start of the 26.2-mile Marathon on event day, Sunday, March 6.