Posted: November 9, 2007

Athletics (RWire): Half Marathon Added to 2008 SunTrust Richmond Marathon

Record registration numbers for this year's 30th edition and other events RICHMOND, Va. - (November 6, 2007) - Sports Backers announce the return of a half marathon as part of the SunTrust Richmond Marathon events next year. Slated to follow much of the same route as the second half of the SunTrust Richmond Marathon, it too will have junk food stops, wet wash cloths, bands, spirit groups and all the other extra touches expected of a Sports Backers event. The half marathon is set to start at 7:30am, on Broad Street, the same site as the NTELOS 8K and SunTrust Richmond Marathon. The 31st SunTrust Richmond Marathon, Half Marathon and NTELOS 8K will take place on Saturday, November 15, 2008. A special early bird promotion for next year's half marathon and marathon will be offered this weekend only. Enter the 2008 Richmond SunTrust Marathon for $50 or the Richmond Half Marathon for $40 by signing up online at RichmondMarathon.com from Friday, November 9 through midnight on Sunday, November 11. There will also be Early Entry brochures at the Sports Backers booth at the Health & Fitness Expo. After November 11, the registration fees go to $60 for the marathon and $50 for the half marathon through December 31. Record Registration Numbers The 2007 SunTrust Richmond Marathon has shattered its all-time registration record. As of Tuesday, November 6, almost 5,000 runners had signed up for "America's Friendliest Marathon." That total breaks the marathon's previous record of 4,763 set in 2005. With registration still available through Friday, a total marathon field of over 5,100 is expected by race day on Saturday, November 10. The marathon's companion race, the NTELOS 8K has also surpassed its record field of 5,393 participants set last year as a total field of over 6,000 is expected this year. There have also been 500 entries in the Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run. This is the eighth time in nine years that the marathon has set a new entry record and the ninth time in ten years for the 8K. In all, the SunTrust Richmond Marathon, NTELOS 8K and Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run entries have already surpassed 2005's record number of 10,390. In addition, over 1,000 Richmond area runners have registered for the marathon by signing up for the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team, a 6-month program that encourages entry level runners to attempt a marathon. For more race information, go to: RichmondMarathon.com. Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director (805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016 Ryan@RunningUSA.org www.RunningUSA.org. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest