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It is also a top race destination for runners from across the country. An estimated 23,000 participants will compete in one of the 10 different events over the weekend. Additionally, more than 50,000 spectators will line the various race courses to support participants.
The GO! St. Louis Family Fitness Weekend is an event that was created for all ages and fitness abilities and features a marathon – presented by SUBWAY; half-marathon – presented by National City (Now PNC Bank); Marathon Relay – presented by Lockton Companies; 5K Run / Walk – presented by Reliv International; GO! St. Louis Read, Right and Run Marathon® – presented by Centene Corporation and Children's Fun Runs and a Mature Mile – presented by Essence Healthcare.
"It's a great thing to throw a 10-year anniversary party and have more than 23,000 people to show up," said Nancy Lieberman, GO! St. Louis president. "This event continues to grow at a rapid pace, as more people look to improve their overall health and fitness levels. While we are inspired that thousands of participants have accepted the challenge to compete in the events, we also revel in their successes as they cross the finish line. Their energy is contagious!" she continued.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
* The most popular race is the half-marathon, which sold out in record time (February) at 12,500 participants. The half-marathon race was introduced to the event in 2003. At 12,500 it is one of the largest half-marathons in the Midwest and the largest in Missouri.
* 2000 GO! St. Louis marathon winners James McGowan from Nebraska and Erika (Blattenberg) Holroyd from St. Louis will both be competing in the 10th anniversary event. McGowan plans to run the half-marathon and Holroyd will compete in the 5K.
* Participation in the Marathon Relay has increased dramatically in the last three years. In 2008, 265 teams registered, in 2009, 363 teams competed and in 2010, more than 450 teams are expected to participated. Teams are comprised of four people, who each run approximately 6 miles each, to complete a full 26.2 marathon. Categories include corporate, coed, battle of the badges and friends and family.
* Past event champions set to return in 2010 include: McGowan, (Blattenberg) Holroyd, Zac Freudenburg, Meagan Earney, Kelly (Handel) Williamson, Karl Gilpin, Mathew Chesang, Julie Lossos, Jason Holroyd, Ron Chisolm, Don Dowling, Eileen Petito and Adam McDowell.
* (Handel) Williamson from Austin, TX will attempt to become the first woman to win three straight half-marathon race titles.
* Over 89% of the participants reside in Missouri or Illinois, but athletes from 47 different states (states NOT represented: Alaska, Rhode Island and Vermont) will visit St. Louis to compete. In addition, athletes from 12 countries (Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Aruba, Bermuda, France, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, China, Austria, Netherlands and Switzerland) are registered in the field.
* The marathon race course starts in downtown St. Louis at Market & 14th Street and finishes at Soldier's Memorial at 13th Street & Chestnut. The course includes the Gateway Arch (great view, before turning at Broadway), Busch Stadium, Anheuser Busch-InBev brewery, Forest Park, Washington University, Downtown Clayton, and The Loop in U City.
* Saturday's Family Fitness Day in Forest Park will feature people ranging in ages from a young toddler, crawling across the finish line in the Diaper Dash to a 94-year-old participating in the Mature Mile. More than 6,000 people, including more than 4,000 children are expected to attend.
* Children from 110 schools will converge on Forest Park to complete the Read, Right & Run Marathon, a six-month innovative program that promotes Reading 26 books, Completing 26 good deeds and Running 26 miles. The program concludes with students running their final miles. Also part of the Read, Right & Run Marathon program will be 9,000 St. Louis Public School students, who complete the program with special in-school celebrations.
* The character-building program – Students on the GO! returns for the second year. The program trains and mentors high school students to run the half-marathon. Roosevelt High School in the St. Louis Public School District will be participating for the second straight year. Students, school educators and administrators have been training in Forest Park for several months in preparation.
* The GO! St. Louis "Share-A-Pair" program was introduced in February 2010 and seeks to collect 20,010 pairs of shoes in 2010. The community-wide program is in partnership with MERS-Goodwill. Collected shoes being reused or recycled. A specially-designed Shoe mobile receptacle was created to collect the shoes and will be on display at the Health & Fitness Expo at Chaifetz Arena on April 9 & 10. Participants who donate shoes at the Expo will receive a Buy-One-Get-One FREE voucher for St. Louis Cardinal Baseball tickets.
* Pasta House president Kim Tucci serves as 2010 Honorary Chairman of the event. He will welcome participants before the race and congratulate them at the finish line.
For more race information, go to: www.gostlouis.org
Source: RunningUSA
