Little Rock Marathon Expects Sell Out By Valentine’s Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(LITTLE ROCK, AR – February 9, 2010) Race officials announced today the field for the 2010 Little Rock Marathon, presented by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette is almost at capacity with fewer than 200 registrations available in the marathon and 400 in the half marathon, which is presented by Baptist Health.

According to Gina Marchese Pharis, Co Executive Director of the Little Rock Marathon, both races will fill up by the weekend based on current registration trends.

The registration cap was established in 2008 to ensure a safe, quality race experience for all participants.

The 8th running of the Little Rock Marathon and companion races will be Sunday, March 7th in downtown Little Rock. The Little Rock 5K Fun Run/Walk, presented by Windstream Communications and the Final Mile of the Little Rockers Kids Marathon, presented by Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Arkansas Department of Health and Today’s THV will be Saturday, March 6th in downtown Little Rock. The Little Rock Marathon benefits Little Rock Parks & Recreation.
“Each year we have had a nice increase in participation from the previous year and we are excited that we will continue that trend,” said Pharis. “Our team works tirelessly to make sure every athlete’s experience is unforgettable. We put on a quality event; our volunteers are the epitome of true southern hospitality; the City of Little Rock rolls out the red carpet for our athletes, and we give the world’s largest marathon finisher’s medal."

Race officials are preparing for 9,000 participants and 25,000 spectators race weekend.

On line registration is available through midnight CST on February 26, 2010 or until the registration cap has been reached at www.littlerockmarathon.com. Paper registration forms must be postmarked by February 26, 2010, but are strongly discouraged as the race may have filled prior to receipt of the form.

Prior to race day, there is a free two-day health and fitness expo on March 5 – 6 in the Statehouse Convention Center in downtown Little Rock.

Race weekend is also sponsored by Abbott Point of Care, Academy Sports +Outdoors (presenting sponsors of the training program), Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Arkansas Lamination Products & Services, Arkansas Rice Depot, arkansasrunner.com, Arvest Bank, ASICS, AT&T, Ben E. Keith Foods, Chick-Fil-A, Coleman Dairy, Crowne Plaza Little Rock, Darragh Company, Datamax of Arkansas, Diamond Bear, Easy Runner, Fence World, Grace Communications, Governor’s Council on Fitness, Hammer Nutrition Ltd., EMS Innovations, Fence World, First United Methodist Church, Fiser Truck & Tractor/Twin City Tractor & Equipment, Gatorade Sports Marketing, Go! Running, Grace Communications, Harbor Distributing, Hatcher Agency (presenting sponsor of the Perks Pavilion), Heart Clinic Arkansas (presenting sponsor of the training program), Hugg & Hall, KARK Channel 4 (presenting sponsor of the training program), KURB B98.5, Little Rock Convention & Visitors, Loreal USA, Magna 4 Printing, North Little Rock Visitors Bureau, Olive Garden, Papa John's Pizza, Peabody Little Rock (presenting sponsor of the Pasta Party), Pepsi Americas, Premium Refreshment Services, Road Safe Traffic, Stellar Sun, Time Striping Inc., and Whole Hog Café (presenting sponsor of the Big N Bodacious Post Race Party).

For information, visit www.littlerockmarathon.com or call 501-371-4770.