27TH ANNIVERSARY SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE MARATHON
NEXT WEEKEND SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - (July 23, 2004) - Approximately 8,000 runners and walkers will mark the 27th anniversary of the marathon race in San Francisco next Sunday, August 1, at the San Francisco Chronicle Marathon. Race day features a 26.2-mile marathon footrace, two separate 13.1-mile half marathons, 4-person marathon relay, and 5-kilometer run/walk. Race weekend also includes the 2004 Healthy Living Expo, Friday and Saturday, July 30-31 at Justin Herman Plaza with over 100 exhibitors, and running and fitness seminars at the nearby Hyatt Regency hotel. The Expo is free to the general public. Complete information about the San Francisco Chronicle Marathon, including online registration for all events, is available online at www.ChronicleMarathon.com. Or, call the race hotline at (415) 284-9653, Email: [email protected]. Online registration ends at midnight of Friday, July 30, 2004. Despite high gasoline prices, a generally challenging economy, and fluctuating tourism rates, people of all ages continue to flock to long distance races. Building off its recent success, the registration count for the San Francisco Chronicle Marathon and companion races has increased once again by 20 percent in 2004. Last year, participation in the event also increased 20 percent. "Our goal is to top the event's all-time record for finishers," said the marathon's race producer, Peter Nantell of West End Management, referring to the 7,231 finishers in the 1983 San Francisco Marathon. According to a "state of the sport report" released by USA Track & Field's Road Running Information Center last week, in 2003 overall participation in U.S. marathon races increased 2 percent, and 4 percent in half marathon races - so San Francisco's marathon is growing at a pace well beyond recent trends. Last year, there were an estimated 400,000 finishers in U.S. marathon races, and 465,000 finishers in half marathon races. Overall participation in shorter events was slightly down. (For the full report, see www.runningusa.org/media/wire2004/Wire2004-56.html#story1) Nantell attributes the growth of the City's marathon to several factors: * The marathon course which was changed two years ago and now includes a spacious downtown start/finish area on San Francisco's waterfront * Superb race organization, runner amenities, and a variety of running/walking events - facts widely distributed among runners by word of mouth * The enduring attraction of San Francisco as a destination, particularly for runners seeking a cool, summer marathon * The marathon's unique "Cause to Run" program which allows participants to pledge support to any of the event's official charity organizations * Backing from City Hall, the local community, and generous sponsors Among this year's elite entrants: John Weru of Kenya who trains with last year's men's winner, Patrick Kamau, in Mountain View, Calif. Weru, the winner of the 2003 Lake Tahoe Marathon and third at this year's San Diego Marathon, owns a personal best marathon of 2 hours and 17 minutes. To date, the women's field is wide open. Kamau captured last year's marathon race with a winning time of 2:35:08. Lucy Carr, an American who resides in Juanlespins, France, recorded the women's victory in 3:01:56. The San Francisco Chronicle Marathon's course records are held by Nate Bowen (2:31:46, 2002) and Magdalena Lewy (2:50:11, 2002). The swift all-time race records (compiled from the various courses in the marathon's colorful past) belong to Simeon Kigen (2:10:18, 1984) and Lesley Lehane (2:35:33, 1991). The marathon and half marathon races feature a total of $10,000 in prize money shared among the overall male and female winners in each of the events plus the first master (age 40 and over) runners. In addition, the first place male and female San Francisco residents in the marathon also win a share of the prize money. Although relatively few runners have the talent and determination to contend for prize earnings, they flock to San Francisco for a temperate, summer marathon for diverse reasons and causes. For example, Beth Hanna of East Lansing, Mich. is bringing along her 60-year-old mother, sister, brother, and several other relatives, most of whom will be participating in their first 26.2-miler. "I figure if my mother lived through the marathon of raising four children plus three stepchildren, especially through those teen years, she has a good chance of finishing this marathon," said Hanna. "What an honor it will be for me to cross the finish line with my mom by my side." Mike Herrin, a physical education and track coach from Tremont, Ill., will complete his 36th marathon encompassing 19 states - in San Francisco. His goal is to run a marathon in each of the 50 states. Jeff Stevens, M.D. is a self-confessed "nerd" who says he was clumsy at sports. The former New Yorker who now lives in Phoenix, Ariz. took up marathon running in 1991, but contracted thyroid cancer in 2000. He'll run the half marathon in San Francisco clad in New York Yankees' garb. The San Francisco Chronicle Marathon starts at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 1 on the San Francisco Embarcadero near the Ferry Building. Early starters are allowed to proceed at 5:00 a.m. The marathon finishes in the same location. The first marathon finishers will arrive at approximately 9:30 a.m. The 2004 Chronicle Marathon is sponsored by the San Francisco Chronicle, sfadobe.com, EnergyWell Natural Foods, KPIX Channel 5, KCBS All News 740 am, Organs 'R" Us, Clairol Natural Instincts, Chiquita, GU2O Sports Drink, GU Energy Gel, UCSF Medical Center, Hyatt Regency San Francisco, the San Francisco Municipal Railway, the San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department, and the Port of San Francisco. Contact: Mark Winitz Chronicle Marathon Media Coordinator Win-It!z Sports Public Relations (650) 948-0618, [email protected] Peter Nantell Chronicle Marathon Event Producer West End Management (415) 291-9990, [email protected] # # #
