Posted: November 9, 2007

Athletics (RWire): 2008 Eugene Marathon Going Green

EUGENE, Ore. - (November 8, 2007) - The Eugene Marathon, in only its second year, is attempting to become a "Green Event" in 2008. Here are just a few of the initiatives the marathon plans to implement: * Partnering with EWEB and the Eugene Hilton to use Sustainable Power during the 3 days of the events at the Hilton, including the Health and Fitness Expo * Use of the Solar Sun Rover as the power source at the finish line at the University of Oregon's Autzen Stadium * Utilize the City of Eugene's "Recycling Toolkit" * Employ "master recyclers" as volunteers - that sort recyclables to the proper receptacles * Have all runners, workers and volunteers informed of the Eugene Marathon mission to be green so that all can participate. "The Eugene Marathon staff has been working hard to make the 2008 marathon a green event," says Richard Maher, Eugene Marathon Event Director. "It is an issue that we feel strongly about and are committed to." The second Eugene Marathon and Expo will take place May 2-4, 2008. The 2007 inaugural event, which was aptly described as "Running in the Footsteps of Legends", attracted over 4,200 runners and walkers from 44 states and 8 countries. In the tradition of great distance running, four athletes qualified for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and the marathon was one of 10 in the country with over 4% of its finishers under 3 hours. The Eugene Marathon turned into the country's fastest growing destination marathon, with 30% of all registrants from out-of-state. Event sponsors include Krusteaz, Nike, Wells Fargo, Gleukos, Aquafina, Healing Spirit, Foot Solutions, Eugene Running Company, Gorilla Capital, KVAL, Mazzi's and the Lane County Visitor's Bureau. Proceeds from this event will benefit Committed Partners for Youth, Food for Lane County, Eugene Education Fund and Pre's Trail. Runners can register at: 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