Runner's & Triathlete's Web  Athletics: Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon Day To Start With A Space Shuttle Launch

Melbourne, Fla. -- Runners in the February 7, 2010 State Farm Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon & Half-Marathon will want to set their alarm clocks a little earlier than usual as the last nighttime launch in the Space Shuttle's storied 29-year history is set for 4:39 a.m. on race morning.

Nighttime launches are spectacular and visible along much of Florida's coast. Melbourne is just 30 miles south of the Kenned Space Center and will be a prime viewing area with the best spots anywhere along the beaches of Cocoa Beach, Satellite Beach, Indialantic or Melbourne Beach.

The Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon Weekend is East Central Florida's premiere distance running event and attracts more than 2,000 runners to historic downtown Melbourne. More than 20 musical acts will be performing along the Marathon and ½ Marathon route, with six acts scheduled for the 5-k and 8-k runs.

The 8-k, ½ marathon and full marathon are the USATF Florida championship races, while the Half-Marathon is the USATF National Championship Masters race.

For more information, visit www.themelbournemarathon.com.