Posted: April 13, 2006

Athletics: Runner's World Online Debuts "SmartCoach" Training System Plus Boston Marathon Podcast

By Chris Brienza, Rodale International.

NEW YORK - (April 11, 2006) - Runner's World magazine, the worldwide authority on running information, has launched two new interactive online features geared towards both the 20,000-plus runners taking part in the 110th BAA Boston Marathon next Monday, as well as to the millions of runners around the world training for their next race - whenever and wherever that may be.

Boston Marathon Podcast
The Runner's World podcast for the Boston Marathon, featuring tips and advice for running the nation's most storied marathon, follows the success of the first-ever Runner's World podcast geared around the ING New York City Marathon last October and November, which garnered more than 23,000 downloads in just 12 days. The Boston-centric podcast is now available for download at three online addresses:

www.runnersworld.com/podcast
www.runnersworld.com/events/boston06
www.apple.com/podcasting/.

New podcast content will be added each day this week thru Sunday, with downloads including:
* The importance of Boston and what it means to qualify (David Willey, VP/Editor-In-Chief)
* Choosing the right footwear and apparel for race day, plus a survival guide for your 3+ hours at the race's starting point in Hopkinton, i.e. "Woodstock without the beer" (Warren Greene, Special Projects Editor)
* Nutrition before and during the race, including fluid replacement needs (Features Editor Jane Unger Hahn)
* An audio tour of the Boston Marathon course (Dave McGillivray, Boston Marathon Race Director)
* The history of the Boston Marathon (Marathoner and author Tom Derderian, "The Boston Marathon: A Century of Blood, Sweat and Cheers")
* A Champion's Story (Amby Burfoot, 1968 Boston Marathon winner and RW Executive Editor)

Smartcoach Training System
Burfoot also helped conceive and develop the new SmartCoach training feature on RunnersWorld.com, which helps runners of all ages and abilities create their own free customized training program for any race at any distance. Runners simply enter the distance they'd like to race, the target date for the race, how hard they'd like to train and a sample race time (or even a practice time) and a customized program is produced instantly.

"Both SmartCoach and our Boston Marathon podcast are part of our continuing efforts to enhance the total running experience for our audience," said VP/Editor-In-Chief David Willey. "We'll continue to expand our podcasting efforts going forward, as they bring our storytelling and our service journalism a vivid dimension that's new and exciting.

"And SmartCoach is nothing short of revolutionary, in my opinion. Generic, one-size-fits-all training plans are just a Google search away, but this is the only way to instantly get a customized training program that is built on your personal goals and capabilities. SmartCoach is a training tool that's equally valuable and accessible for both new runners and veteran road racers, which is exactly what our magazine strives to be every month."

"We're dedicated to providing the best Web experience for our online users and runners everywhere," said Michael Silberman, VP/Editorial Director for Rodale Interactive. "The strong user interest and positive feedback from our first podcast convinced us that our audience is ready, and actually hungry, for digital delivery of the information, advice and programs which Runner's World offers in print every month. SmartCoach and the Boston Marathon podcast are just the beginning of our planned improvements to the RunnersWorld.com site.

Runner's World, which has been nominated for a 2006 National Magazine Award for General Excellence, will have a significant presence at the Boston Marathon. In addition to their booth (#344) at the Sports & Fitness Expo at the Seaport World Trade Center, Runner's World will also host two days of seminars (on Saturday and Sunday) featuring advice and information from editors, past marathon champions and elite athletes.

All seminars are open to the public and will be held in the Waterfront Ballroom at the Seaport World Trade Center. For more information, visit RunnersWorld.com

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.

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