Posted: May 8, 2006

Athletics: Freihofer's Run for Women 2006: New Course, New Online Run for Women "Blog"

ALBANY, N.Y. - (May 3, 2006) - The Freihofer's Run for Women will take place Saturday, June 3 with a new and improved course for all participants to enjoy.

The course, which has welcomed more than 60,000 women from throughout the world since its inception in 1979, is being modified to make it safer and more enjoyable for all participants and the Albany community.

"Since a large portion of the race takes place in Washington Park and because the field of runners has continued to grow (3,600 entries are expected this year), there have been several instances when lead runners return to the park (at Sprague and State) and overlapped with runners who are still on the course," said Course Director Ken Skinner.

The new course remedies this situation by routing runners from the one and a half mile point at Lake Avenue to Western Avenue instead of Washington Avenue. Runners turn right onto Western, past Sprague Place and proceed to Henry Johnson Boulevard where they turn right back into the park and proceed to the finish line.

The previous course does have a historical presence for the race.

"For more than 10 years Lynn Jennings' record (15:24, 1995) has stood the test of time at Freihofer's," said Event Director George Regan, noting that Colleen De Reuck also shattered the Masters 5 km World Record on the course in 2004 (15:47). "With a new course record of 15:18 set by Asmae Leghzaoui last year, we decided to take the opportunity to improve the course for all participants."

Additional benefits from the revised course include providing runners with extra protection from the sun along tree-lined Western Avenue and allowing better flow of traffic for emergency vehicles and local citizens bypassing the course during the race. Run organizers will also place mile and kilometer markings onto the course, making it easily navigable for both American and European runners.

The Freihofer's Run for Women 5K will begin Saturday, June 3 at 10:15am. Athletes from around the world will gather to compete in three divisions: professional, masters and open. Entries for this year's race are now being accepted. All entrants will receive a T-shirt and a box of Freihofer's chocolate chip cookies.

Those looking to perform their best on race day are invited to tap into an online network of athletes, nutritionists, trainers and physicians who are ready to answer their questions. The Times Union has established an interactive blog titled, "Ready to Run," which can be accessed at: http://blogs.timesunion.com/runforwomen5K/

Race day festivities also include the 18th annual Freihofer's Community Walk (8-9:30am) - a fundraiser that has raised more than $1 million for area non-profit organizations since its inception. There is no entry fee to participate. Online and mail-in entries must be received by May 26, or participants may register the morning of the walk from 7:00-8:00am. The first 1,300 walkers to check-in the morning of the walk will receive a T-shirt and refreshments compliments of the Charles Freihofer Baking Company and Price Chopper Supermarkets.

Concluding the day's events will be the 19th Freihofer's Kids' Run, one of the top 10 largest kids' runs in the U.S. Held from 11:30am to 2:00pm on the Outdoor Plaza level, Empire State Plaza, the free event is open to children ages 3 to 13. Participants will receive a T-shirt, and of course those delicious Freihofer's chocolate chip cookies. Sign-ups will take place thru Saturday, June 3.

Participants in the Freihofer's Run for Women events can pick up a registration form at any Capital Region Price Chopper store, or by visiting FreihofersRun.com. Additional information on all three events is also available by calling (518) 273-5552 or via e-mail at info@freihofersrun.com.

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.RunningUSA.org.

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