Posted: August 9, 2007

Athletics (RWire): Qualifying Times, Distances Announced for the 2008 Wirefly National Marathon

"Partners in Time": official program to identify qualifying races for the event WASHINGTON, DC - (August 8, 2007) - The Wirefly National Marathon, in preparation for its 3rd annual run on Saturday, March 29 2008, announced a new program created to help runners achieve qualifying times in conjunction with the posting of qualifying times necessary to enter the race. "I received many emails from runners looking for a qualifying race last year," explained Wirefly National Marathon Race Director Keith Dowling. "Rather than point them to a race calendar, I wanted to direct them to races that traditionally yield the bulk of our qualified runners." Wirefly National Marathon qualification is possible at any race which publishes timed results; however, race organizers have partnered with regional road races to suggest specific, well established road races in which runners may gain their qualifying time for the Wirefly Marathon or Half Marathon. The MLK 5K, St. Patrick's Day 8K and the Acumen Jingle All the Way 10Kk are the first races welcomed into the new program, with more races expected to join. To qualify for the 2008 Wirefly National Marathon and Half Marathon, a runner must meet one of the following qualifying times between January 1, 2002 and March 29, 2008: Marathon - 5:00:00 Half-Marathon - 2:30:00 10 Miles - 1:50:00 15K - 1:46:00 12K - 1:18:00 10K - 1:05:00 8K - 52:00 (qualifying for half-marathon only) 5K - 31:00 (qualifying for half-marathon only) For more information regarding qualifying times, "Partners in Time", and how to register, please visit: NationalMarathon.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