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Top field, nearly 6,000 expected at race events
MONTEREY, Calif. - (October 15, 2007) - The fifth presentation of the Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay takes place Sunday, November 11, attracting elites, recreational runners and military participants.
The 13.1-mile race begins at 7:00am in downtown Monterey and travels a scenic course along the coastline in Monterey and Pacific Grove. The Half Marathon offers both running and walking divisions, along with a team competition. Other events include the 10-Mile Walk and the "Forrest Run" 5K sponsored by Bubba Gump. Nearly 6,000 participants are expected.
The five year old race, organized by the Big Sur International Marathon, is drawing runners from all 50 states and eight countries. Twenty-five percent are running their first half marathon and five percent have competed in all previous Big Sur Half Marathons. This year's field is more than 60 percent female.
Elite entrants include the male winner of the 2007 Big Sur International Marathon, Jeff Gardina, and the female winner of the 2006 marathon, Mary Coordt. Other top finishers returning include New Zealander Michael Aish and Kenyan MacDonald Ondara in the Open male division. The women's elite field includes Carmel High School grad Brooke Wells, Reebok team member Heather Gibson, Magdalena Lewy Boulet and Janne Kibii (Kenya).
Held on Veterans' Day weekend, the half-marathon has a significant military presence. Teams from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines will compete. Hundreds of military personnel will be on the course, either running or volunteering their services.
In addition to Sunday morning's main event, Saturday activities on November 10 include the Health and Fitness Expo at the Monterey Conference Center from 9:00am to 6:00pm and the new JUST RUN!® Just Kids 3K race presented by Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula at 9:00am. The "Blue Cross Live Like a Champion Tour" offering fun and fitness activities for children will be featured at Custom House Plaza on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00am to 1:00pm.
Major sponsors of the Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay include Saab, ASICS, Runner's World, Rabobank, Granite Construction and KSBW.
For more event information, contact (831) 625-6226 or info@bsim.org or visit: BigSurHalfMarathon.org
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.RunningUSA.org.
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