Posted: October 20, 2005

Athletics: SunTrust Richmond Marathon Poised to Break Entry Record

NTELOS 8K also on pace to surpass old registration mark

RICHMOND, Va. - (October 18, 2005) - The 2005 SunTrust Richmond Marathon will set a new record for the most entries in the event's 28-year history in the next two weeks. As of Monday, October 17, over 4,000 runners had registered for the marathon, quickly approaching last year's record total of 4,221. With three and a half weeks left to register, a total field of over 4,500 is expected by race day on Saturday, November 12. This is the seventh consecutive year that the marathon has set a new entry record.

The marathon's companion race, the NTELOS 8K, is also expected to boast a record field. With 3,100 already registered, past history indicates a race day field of at least 4,200 registrants, which would break the record of 4,037 set in 2003.

The SunTrust Richmond Marathon will be held on Saturday, November 12 beginning at 8:00am at 7th and Broad Streets in downtown Richmond. The NTELOS 8K - with a new, more scenic course for 2005 - will follow at 8:35am. The Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run will begin at 9th & Main Streets at 8:15am.

NTELOS 8K participants will want to keep their eyes open for the PUNCH surprise while out on the course. Devised and sponsored by Richmond-based creative firm PUNCH, the surprise promises to be something totally out of the ordinary.

Online entries for the SunTrust Richmond Marathon, NTELOS 8K and Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run will be accepted at RichmondMarathon.com. up until Wednesday night, Nov. 9. After that, people can sign up at the Race Expo at the Omni Richmond Hotel on Thursday, Nov. 10 from 4:00 - 8:00pm and Friday, Nov. 11 from 11:00am until 9:00pm. There is no Race Day registration.

The best place for runners and the media to get updated news about the SunTrust Richmond Marathon, including traffic information and race day parking, is at RichmondMarathon.com.

For more information, call Scott Schricker at (804) 285-9495.

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.