Posted: February 23, 2007

Athletics: Nike - The Official Running Shoe and Elite Athlete Sponsor for Inaugural Subway Eugene Marathon

EUGENE, Ore. - The Subway Eugene Marathon has announced Nike as the Official Running Shoe and Elite Athlete sponsor for the inaugural marathon on Sunday, April 29. "We are excited to be a part of the Eugene Marathon as it starts where we began as a running company over 30 years ago," said Brian O'Connor, Nike Global Running Brand Manager. Nike is offering prize money for the top three men and women in the marathon plus bonuses ($750 / $500) for any runner who achieves the Olympic Marathon Trials "A" (2:20 / 2:39) or "B" (2:22 / 2:47) standard. There are nearly 30 athletes registered who will be attempting to reach the Trial's qualifying marks. Pace setters have been set up for both the men and women to ensure the races go at or under the trial's qualifying times. All runners, whether they are training for the Eugene Marathon or just starting their running career, can track their progress and get more connected to their running experience at NIKEplus.com. The inaugural Subway Eugene Marathon will be held on Sunday, April 29, 2007. The marathon course will begin and end in the vicinity of Eugene's Alton Baker Park, taking runners through Eugene and Springfield, on city streets and bike paths, and along the Willamette River. Live music will be positioned along the marathon and half-marathon routes and at the finish. The music-filled family event will also include half-marathon, 5-kilometer and kids runs. Event sponsors joining Nike include Subway, Gleukos, Talking Rain, Fred Meyer, Sporthill, Krusteaz, Papé and the Lane County Visitor's Bureau. Proceeds from this event will benefit Bolder Options, Food for Lane County, Eugene Education Fund and Pre's Trail. For more race information, visit: EugeneMarathon.com. Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director (805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016 Ryan@RunningUSA.org www.RunningUSA.org. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest