The Greater Washington Sports Alliance announced today that online registration for the 5th annual SunTrust National Marathon and Half Marathon will begin at 12:01 am (EST), July 4, 2009. To celebrate the nation’s birthday and the event’s fifth year, a one week registration sale will take place with a special price of only $65 for the marathon and only $55 for the half marathon. Runners can register at www.nationalmarathon.com. (Sale ends at 11:59 pm (EST) on July 11th).“This is a historic moment in the life of this event,” says Robert Sweeney, President of the Greater Washington Sports Alliance.
“To reach five years means that this race has staying power in our region and that the international running community recognizes this event as one of the more popular ones on the road racing calendar.”
Established as the fastest flat, looped marathon in the nation by Running USA, the SunTrust National Marathon reached a capacity field of 8,000 runners in 2009. 12,000 runners are expected in 2010 in the only marathon run entirely within Washington, D.C. The race’s growth and uniqueness have created a tradition worthy of a city already rich in history and culture.
Thanks to events like the SunTrust National Marathon, the Washington D.C. metro region has been named the fittest city in the USA by the American College of Sports Medicine. The Greater Washington Sports Alliance will continue to make exercise a priority for the next generation through the Junior Monumental Milers Program. Now in its third year, JuMMP is a run-walk program where over 13,000 youth, ages 8 to 12, will achieve 26.2 miles over a 23 week period.
The JuMMP initiative has expanded to include programming within D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation, D.C. Public Schools, YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington and Arlington County Parks and Recreation. The program will begin September 14, 2009 and will end on February 26, 2010 with a culmination ceremony taking place during the SunTrust National Marathon weekend activities.
Fast Facts:
*5th Annual SunTrust National Marathon and Half Marathon
*Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 7am
*District inclusive marathon and half marathon course
*Fastest flat, looped marathon course in the nation according to Running USA
*3rd fastest median marathon time with over 1,000 runners (Behind Boston and Steamtown) according to Running USA
*2009 Race Gender Breakdown
Overall 51% Men / 49% Women
Marathon 65% Men / 35% Women
Half 44% Men / 56% Women
Mayor Adrian Fenty - Official 2009 marathon finisher and honorary race starter. Estimated 12,000 runners expected in only the fifth year of the race. Over $250,000 dollars raised for charity in 2009 Boston Marathon qualifier.
For more information, or to register for the SunTrust National Marathon, go to: www.nationalmarathon.com.
Visit Greater Washington Sports Alliance:
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