Little Rock Marathon Unveils 2010 Finisher’s Medal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Little Rock, January 25, 2010) – Little Rock Marathon race officials unveiled the 2010 version of the world’s largest marathon finisher’s medal during a press conference today.

The Little Rock Marathon is presented by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette and will be held March 5 – 7 in downtown Little Rock.

“In 2004, Runner’s World Magazine reported that we gave out the ‘world’s largest marathon finisher’s medal,” Gina Marchese Pharis, Co-Executive Director said. “For six years we have been recognized as having the world’s largest marathon finisher’s and we believe we can still claim the title with this year’s Natural medal.”

“When we started the Little Rock Marathon we had no idea the medal would be what we are known for,” Pharis said.

“We came up with this idea in 2003 after finishing a particularly difficult race,” she said. “When the volunteer handed us our medals at the finish line, we stunned. We said ‘we did the marathon, not the 5K.’ It was not a mistake the medal was the same size as the 5K medal. All medals are great and were very grateful for our awards, but we wanted something a little more substantial. It was a tough race.”

“We believe our marathon finishers should take home a medal that represents their achievement,” Pharis said. “I know when I finish a marathon; my effort is not a quarter-sized effort. It is gianormous. That is how we came up with offering a big marathon medal.”

“Our race is known for coming up with something fun and different each year,” Pharis said. “Athletes come from around the world to take our medal home. Only a few take away the winner’s title. But, when all said and done the one thing so many finishers cherish is their medal. They run for the hardware and every finisher takes home hardware.”

The 2010 Little Rock Marathon finisher’s medal is 7 3/4 inches long and 6 inches wide. The medal features the 2010 “It’s a Natural” theme and weighs in at a 1.67 pounds. The medal features the race’s signature globe, as well as race director’s kiss.

According to Jon Scott of Maxwell Medals & Awards of Traverse City, MI, the average finisher’s medal is 2.5 inches and weighs approximately 3 ounces. Maxwell Medals & Awards produces the Little Rock Marathon finisher medals, as well as medals for major races including the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and Race for the Cure.

The half marathon finisher’s medal also features the 2010 race theme and is 4 inches long by 4 inches wide.

Race day is Sunday, March 7. In addition to the marathon (26.2 miles), there is a half marathon (13.1 miles) race, presented by Baptist Health; a 4 person relay marathon (26.2 miles divided into four segments) and the Classic Rockers Final Mile (for individuals 55+ who completed at least 25.2 miles prior to race day).

The Little Rock 5K Fun Run/Walk, presented by Windstream Communications, is Saturday, March 6 at 8 am. The Little Rockers Kids Marathon (26.2 miles completed over an extended time frame), presented by Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Today’s THV, for children 7 to 12 is Saturday, March 6 at noon. All races start at the River Market and finish at the Riverfest Amphitheatre.

Participants in all events can run, walk or do a combination of running and walking in any of the events.

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.

Online registration and mail in registration for the Little Rock Marathon and companion races will close February 26 at midnight CST and will re-open at the Health & Fitness Expo on March 5 – 6 if maximum registration limits have not been reached.

Race weekend is also sponsored by Abbott Point of Care, Academy Sports +Outdoors (presenting sponsors of the training program), AR Dept of Health (presenting sponsor of the Little Rockers Kids Marathon training program), Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Arkansas Lamination Products & Services, Arkansas Rice Depot, arkansasrunner.com, Arvest Bank, ASICS, Ben E. Keith Foods, Coleman Dairy, Crowne Plaza Little Rock, Darragh Company, Datamax of Arkansas, Diamond Bear, Easy Runner, 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.