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MIAMI – As race registrations for the Sunday, February 2 Miami Marathon and Half Marathon once again trend toward a sellout at 25,000 runners, propelled by a continued increase in International participation, the race has unveiled its new 2014 spinning medal and is taking nominations for the 2014 "People Who Run Miami Award."
The Miami Marathon is a true International event, with more than 25% of the participants coming from outside the United States in comparison to 20% a year ago.
"International athletes are choosing Miami as their race and are making it a point to return every year following," said Race Director Javier Sanchez. "Our presence has increased in Central and South America as we continue to establish more and more partners within the region. This event is truly a tri-lingual event expanding into Spanish and Portuguese with supporting translated content. Marathon running is at a new high in this market and we're welcoming groups larger than ever, by the hundreds even."
Here are some specific examples:
There are presently 788 registrations so far from Mexico. There were 639 total last year.
There are 573 registrations from Columbia with three weeks to go in comparison to a total of 377 last year.
There are 438 registrations so far from Costa Rica. There were 363 total last year.
Peru Runners, a running club established in 1984 which promotes the sport in Peru and organizes more than 16 mega running events during the year, is bringing its best runners to race in the Miami Marathon. That group includes four Olympians who raced in London and were among the Top 25 in the world — Raul Pacheco, Ines Melchor, Gladys Tejeda, Wilma Arizapana and Judith Toribio.
The runners are lured by the tropical views and sounds of a picturesque course that winds from Downtown Miami onto Miami Beach and then heads South into Coconut Grove and Key Biscayne before finishing on Biscayne Blvd. at Bayfront Park.
Once they reach the finish line, runners are rewarded with the Miami Marathon's traditional spinning medal.
The 2014 medal might be the most special in the history of a race known for its bling. The spinning palm in the middle has a diamond in it but it spins like a gyroscope for the first time. The medal also features ribbon artwork from Miami celebrity artist Alexander Mijares, who is running his first marathon.
The Miami Marathon also recognizes three individuals each year who have made significant contributions to the Miami area by demonstrating their support, passion and commitment to the community they live and work in.
Nominess are being accepted at themiamimarathon.com
