New Start & Finish at 2008 ING Georgia Marathon
Posted October 23rd, 2007 at 8:00 AM by Jeanie Rebb
Section: News & Results, Marathons
Next spring’s ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon, set for Sunday, March 30, will start and finish at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta. One of the most picturesque and popular races in the country, the marathon and half-marathon will return for its second year through Atlanta’s intown neighborhoods, treating runners and spectators to some of the city’s most widely recognized landmarks.
“The ING Georgia Marathon is another great sporting event that our state is proud to host. Placing the start / finish line at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta will be the perfect location for spectators and athletes to enjoy next year’s race,” said Governor Sonny Perdue.
“The inaugural ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon proved to be a winning event for runners, spectators and sponsors this spring. A fresh new tradition has been established that showcases our community spirit here in Atlanta. All runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes, whether they are residents of our beautiful city or neighbors or out of town guests, should be commended for taking part in this event. I’m proud Atlanta can host thousands of people who actively reach their goals for good health,” said Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, who is serious about healthy living and has established a Health and Wellness Program for city employees.
“As a proud corporate citizen of Atlanta, we’re honored to be sponsoring a world-class race that energizes the city and attracts thousands of participants and spectators to the state of Georgia,” said Tom Waldron, ING executive vice president for human resources and brand.
The new start / finish is among other changes planned for the Sunday, March 30, 2008 race. Rather than the mass start of the inaugural event for all runners and walkers, race officials plan to stage participants in groups and stagger the start by the expected finish times. Wheelchair racers in the Half Marathon will take off at 6:55am, going east on Marietta Street from Centennial Olympic Park. The staggered start for runners in the ING Georgia Marathon and Half Marathon will begin at 7:00am. All participants will end the race on the north side of the park, finishing at Centennial Olympic Park Drive and Harris Street. The park will host activities for spectators and runners all day.
In addition, the race Health & Fitness Expo will be located at the Georgia World Congress Center on Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29. The Expo is where event participants pick up race packets, and all exhibits are open to the public. The Omni Hotel at CNN Center will serve as the headquarters hotel for the weekend.
Pre-race ceremonies will begin on March 30 at 6:30am. The National Anthem will be performed by national recording artist and Georgia native Diana DeGarmo. A full schedule of entertainment and guest speakers for the weekend will be announced later this fall.
“Centennial Olympic Park commemorates one of the greatest sporting events in our state, the Centennial Olympic Games,” said Victoria Seahorn, race director for the ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon. “Like so many of the places along the course, it’s part of Atlanta’s history. And the park will serve appropriately again as a headquarters for celebration and success next March, a place where all runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes can reunite with their families and friends.”
Registration for the 2008 event is now open at INGGeorgiaMarathon.com. Race officials have set the limit again at 15,000 racers; the event is expected to sell-out again. Through Dec. 31 of this year, registration for the half-marathon is $60; the registration for the marathon is $80 and $60 for the wheelchair half-marathon. Registration prices will increase on January 1, 2008.
Via: Running USA Wire
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Tags: atlanta, cnn center, Diana DeGarmo, finish, georgia, georgia half marathon, georgia marathon, georgia world congress center, health & fitness expo, ing georgia marathon, ing georgia marathon and half marathon, marathon expo, marathon ING, marathon registration, omni hotel, race course, shirley franklin, sonny perdue, start, Tom Waldro
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