MELBOURNE, FL (Nov. 16) — The State Farm Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon, which features the USA Masters Half-Marathon Championships, has announced a total prize purse package of $12,500 — up from the $10,000 originally planned by event producer Mitch Varnes.
"We've come up with a fine prize money structure and amount—especially for an inaugural event," Varnes said. "I'm very pleased with not only the purse—which includes the $500 State Farm Good Neighbor Award—but also the way in which we're distributing it, with an emphasis on masters competitors and the USA Masters Half-Marathon Championships."
The top men and women half-marathoners will split $2,000 purses in each division. First will receive $1,000, with second earning $600 and third $400. In the marathon, $1,000 purses each will be presented for the men and women, with the winners earning $600, second place $300, and third place $100.
The purse features a unique concept — age grading. Normally used to ascertain a runner's performance relative to his or her age, the formula will now be applied to the half-marathon purse. A total of $6,000 will be distributed to the top age-graded runners, broken down as follows:
1st — $1,500
2nd —$1,000
3rd—$800
4th—$700
5th—$600
6th—$500
7th—$400
8th—$300
9th—$200
In addition, State Farm will present $125 checks to the top male and female marathoner, and the top male and female half-marathoner who reside in Brevard County — host county of the State Farm Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon.
Early-bird discount registration continues through November 30 for the State Farm Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon, State Farm USA Masters Half Marathon Championship and Florida Today 5K. Fees are $80 for the Marathon, $65 for the Half Marathon and $25 for the 5K.
The State Farm Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon has enjoyed significant support from city officials in Brevard County, Melbourne and Indialantic, along with the Space Coast Board of Tourism and the Melbourne-Palm Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.
State Farm Insurance is the umbrella sponsor of the event. Additional sponsors include: Florida Today; Health First; Delta Airlines; Melbourne International Airport; Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi of Melbourne; Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront; Space Coast Credit Union; Bright House Networks; Beachside Performance & Health Studio; Flammio & Schultz Financial team of Wachovia Securities; Florida Eye Associates; and McDonalds.
Complete information and entry forms can be found at www.themelbournemarathon.com.
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