Posted: April 13, 2005

Athletics: Olympic Gold Medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson Honorary Starter for Salt Lake City Marathon

SALT LAKE CITY - (April 8, 2005) - Salt Lake City Marathon officials announced on Friday that American Joan Benoit Samuelson, winner of the Gold Medal in the first Women's Olympic Marathon in Los Angeles at the 1984 Olympic Games, will serve as an Honorary Starter for the 2nd Annual Salt Lake City Marathon set for Saturday, April 23.

Not only has Benoit Samuelson run more than 30 marathons, she set world bests in her wins at the Boston Marathon in 1979 and 1983 (running 2:22:43). She also set American records in her victories at the Philadelphia Half-Marathon in 1984 and the Chicago Marathon in 1985.

Joan Benoit Samuelson, 47, has deep roots in the sport. In December 2004, she was inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame. She's also an accomplished athlete, road race founder and organizer, motivational speaker, mother, author, consultant to Nike, former coach and key participant in many charities and civic endeavors at the local, state and national levels.

In addition to providing commentary at the Start and Finish Lines, Benoit Samuelson will serve as Honorary Starter with Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson.

On Thursday, April 21, she will conduct Race Training Seminars and autograph sessions (11am - 12:00pm and 3:00pm - 4:00pm) during the Health & Fitness Expo at the Salt Palace Convention Center. On Friday, April 22, Joan will also conduct Race Training Seminars and sign autographs from 10:30am - 12:00pm and 5:00 - 6:00pm.

The second annual Salt Lake City Marathon & 5K "Run, Bump & Boogie" is expected to nearly double last year's participation numbers. A full weekend of opportunities for fun and celebration abound. The Ken Garff Volvo Bike Tour is new this year, featuring a 25-mile non-stop, leisurely morning ride through the most scenic and spectacular parts of the Salt Lake Valley. The tour, starting at 6:00am follows the Salt Lake City Marathon route on race morning April 23.

The Salt Lake City Marathon was among 12 new favorites listed by Runner's World in the January 2005 Marathon Guide: "Small Wonders: Big Fun, Big Scenery, Big Rewards." January's Competitor Magazine and Rocky Mountain Sports Magazine both tout Salt Lake City as the "Best Race at Altitude."

With a 25 percent increase in the prize purse to $125,000, this race is also expected to attract a world-class field. Online registration is available at www.SaltLakeCityMarathon.com. The website has easy-to-use registration forms, training information, travel and accommodation links, special stories and photographs from the inaugural event. In addition, participants can find course maps and details on the entire weekend of festivities.

The Devine Racing offices are located at 136 E South Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah. For race information, contact Scott Kerr, Race Director at (801) 412-6060. $10 per marathon participant and $5 from every 5K participant will go to The Huntsman Cancer Institute, the premiere cancer research and care facility in the Intermountain West.

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.runningusa.org.