All Athletes, Athlete Representatives, Club Contacts and Coaches:

**ELITE/INVITED ATHLETE OPPORTUNITY**

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THE SAN FRANCISCO MARATHON AND HALF MARATHON(S)
Sunday, July 30, 2006
San Francisco, California
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For complete event information, please visit:

www.runsfm.com

The San Francisco Marathon (and accompanying two half marathons) invite
elite and emerging elite athletes to inquire about participation in the
event. Although there is no prize money purse this year (there is no
sponsor to support a prize purse), the race will distribute complimentary
entries based on demonstrated past performance. In addition, limited air
travel assistance and hotel accommodations are offered. Invited elite
athletes receive a seeded starting line position.

CONSIDERATION FOR INVITED ATHLETE STATUS
Comp. Entry, Travel, and Accommodations: Sub-2:30 men/Sub-2:50 women or
equivalent within the past two years is suggested for consideration.

Comp. Entry and/or Accommodations Only: Sub-2:40 men/Sub-3:00 women or
equivalent within the past two years is suggested for consideration.

Slower times may be considered on a space-available basis.

To apply, see below for details.

2005 WINNING TIMES
Marathon
1st Overall: Tony Torres (2:31:57) and Sarah Halles (2:56:55)
1st Masters: Vitas Ezerskis (2:42:56) and Jane Bloom (3:14:01)

First Half Marathon
1st Overall: Michael Western (1:17:48) and Eileen White (1:29;12)

Second Half Marathon
1st Overall: Sean Nixon (1:15:20) and Lisa Daane (1:21:46)

ELITE/INVITED ATHLETE APPLICATION/INSTRUCTIONS
Elite status is limited. Please apply as soon as possible, and no later
than July 1, 2006.

Please do the following:

As soon as possible, please e-mail a complete running vita/resume AND
cover letter containing the following to the Elite Athlete Coordinator
below:

(a) Name, age, citizenship, current residence
(b) Sponsor/club
(c) All-time PRs
(d) Best races in last two years (race name, date, finishing place and
time)
(e) Best races all time (with above details)

Important!
Marathon Runners:
Include a list of three to five marathon race finishing times. If
you have not completed three marathons, send the times for those you have
run plus your best times for races at other distances as described above.

Half Marathon Runners:
Include a list of three to five half marathon or marathon race
finishing times. If you have not run three races at these distances, send
the times for those you have run plus your best times for races at other
distances as described above.

(f) Include your e-mail address so we can respond to your application.


Please e-mail ALL information to: Mark Winitz, Elite Athlete Coordinator,
at [email protected]. If you do not have access to e-mail, send the
information to Mark Winitz at P.O. Box 1621, Los Altos, CA 94023-1621.

Regards,
Mark Winitz
Elite Athlete and Media Coordinator
The San Francisco Marathon (tm)
Win-It!z Sports Public Relations

About The San Francisco Marathon(tm)
Since its first running in 1977, The San Francisco Marathon(tm) has
enjoyed success as the premier summertime marathon in the U.S. San
Francisco's blend of natural beauty, big city charm, and perfect
mid-summer running temperatures, make marathon running in San Francisco a
truly magical experience. The San Francisco Marathon's unique Cause to
Run program allows race participants to conveniently contribute to any of
the event's beneficiaries. Since Cause to Run was started by the marathon
in 2003, the program has raised over $250,000 for over 50 charity
organizations. Visit www.runsfm.com for more information.