Running USA 2011 Reaches Record Conference Registration Total – Signature industry conference offers something for everybody; inaugural The Perfect Pitch contest; sold-out Grand Hyatt San Antonio

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – (February 9, 2011) – A registration record of more than 420 running industry leaders are expected at Running USA 2011: The Industry Conference, set for February 13-15 at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio, Texas. Along with keynote speakers such as former HUD Secretary and San Antonio mayor Henry Cisneros, social gatherings and networking, the round table and breakout sessions make this annual conference the largest, "must-attend" event in the sport.

This year's theme, reflecting road running's record-setting growth despite the recession, is "Celebrate Running, Celebrate Success".

"With record registration, a sold-out host hotel and expo, a terrific slate of speakers and engaging sessions, the inaugural The Perfect Pitch contest, our Hall of Champions dinner and live auction, this year's Running USA conference promises to be our best yet. As we celebrate this great sport at Running USA 2011, we thank our sponsors and attendees for making it all possible in the Alamo City," said Susan Weeks, Running USA CEO.

New this year is The Perfect Pitch. This two-part session will feature semi-final and final rounds of sponsorship pitches by events, companies and organizations to a panel of industry experts from LIVESTRONG, Brooks, ASICS and YAVAY – professionals who review sponsorship proposals every day. The six selected semi-finalists are Big Sur International Marathon, Fetal Hope Foundation, New York Road Runners, RaceMates, Virtual Race Bags and Wine Country Half Marathon Series, who will be vying for $4000 and bragging rights. Conference attendees will help decide the overall winner.

Presenting sponsors of Running USA 2011 are Active.com, Ashworth Awards and Leslie Jordan, Inc. Breakout sessions and 8 round tables will center on three learning tracks: business, self-help best practices and youth.

SPECIAL EVENTS

• Opening reception sponsored by MapMyRun.com – Sunday, Feb 13
• Trailblazer Luncheon & Award presented by Women's Running Magazine – Monday, Feb 14
• Cocktail reception presented by Leslie Jordan, Inc. – Monday, Feb 14
• Running USA Hall of Champions Dinner & Auction – Monday, Feb 14
• Allan Steinfeld Development Award – Monday, Feb 14
• Leadership Luncheon sponsored by Ashworth Awards – Tuesday, Feb 15
• Exhibitor & sponsor expo
• Morning runs along San Antonio's beautiful Riverwalk
• San Antonio Riverwalk dine around – Tuesday, Feb 15

Register today for Running USA 2011. The conference rate of $599 for Running USA members / $799 non-members is available until Friday, February 11, 2011; on-site registration is $639 / $839. For on-line registration, hotel, travel, schedule, attendee list, auction item list and other information for Running USA 2011, go to: https://runningusa.org/programs/conference

About Running USA
Running USA advances, serves, promotes and celebrates the sport of running as a clearinghouse and resource center and through its popular annual conference, Running USA wire, Running USA E-News, website, youth fitness portal RunningRocks.com, widely cited annual marathon, half-marathon and State of the Sport reports and by supporting athlete development.

Running USA's more than 300 members include road races, race services companies, running-related media companies and organizations and the athletic industry.

In March 2010, the non-profit industry organization marked more than a decade of achievement to build and promote the sport.

For more information, visit: RunningUSA.org or contact Ryan Lamppa at (805) 696-6232 or ryan@runningusa.org