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The
ING Miami Marathon and Half-Marathon® is
quickly gaining fame worldwide, particularly in
Latin America and the Caribbean, its
International appeal leading to a surge in
entries that will likely result in a field cap
and sellout at 25,000 runners this year.
Nearly
20 percent of those runners will come from
outside the United States, with more than 64
countries already represented among the early
entrants.
In
response to the great International numbers, the
ING Miami Marathon and Half-Marathon® has
partnered with American Airlines to launch the
Race of the Americas Challenge.
The
top male and female runner in the marathon
for each of the designated regions of the
Americas will receive a special prize.
Prior
to the start of the race, a select number of the
International runners will take part in a
procession of flags from the Americas ending
with their placement inside a specially
designated 'Race of the Americas Challenge'
corral near the start line. The corral will be
decorated with International flags and other
visuals.
"We
are looking to highlight our Latin American
participation," said Race Director David
Scott. "As we go into our 10th year, we
want to give the event more of an International
feel."
American
Airlines was targeted as a partner in that
effort because of the company's focus on Latin
America and the Caribbean.
"There
is no better partner to help us achieve this
goal than American Airlines, as they have been
instrumental in making Miami the Gateway to the
Americas, " said Frankie Ruiz, race founder
and current Chief Running Officer with US Road
Sports & Entertainment Group. "We are
very excited to have extended our sponsorship
partnership with American, which now includes a
focused initiative to increase the number of
runners from Latin America and the
Caribbean."
The
designated regions represented are Brazil,
Mexico, Central America (includes Belize,
Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Costa
Rica, El Salvador), Northern Rim South America
(includes Venezuela, Colombia, Perú, Ecuador, Guyana),
Southern Rim South America (includes Bolivia,
Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile),
Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Turks &
Caicos, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Saint Martin,
Saint Maarten, Windward Islands, Puerto Rico, US
Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic, Haiti,
Martinique, Guadalupe and Eastern Caribbean
(includes Aruba, Antigua, Nevis, St. Kitts,
Curacao, Trinidad & Tobago, Granada,
Barbados, St. Lucia, Dominica).
Participants
must have registered using a valid residential
address from the respective country/territory to
be eligible for the Race of the Americas
Challenge.
For
more information on the ING Miami Marathon and
Half-Marathon®, call (305) 278-8668 or visit
www.ingmiamimarathon.com.
About
US Road Sports
US Road
Sports & Entertainment Group is a health and
wellness company dedicated to the production of
world-class endurance events. The mission
of US Road Sports is to offer an unparalleled
participant sports experience that showcases
host communities and endures as a deeply valued
local asset through events that are a part of
the city's culture, identity and brand.
For each participant, US Road Sports strives to
offer events that allow participants of all
skill levels the opportunity to improve their
physical and mental health and accomplish
life-altering goals while having fun. US
Road Sports provides sponsors and municipalities
highly effective exposure to help maximize their
presence and message in the community.
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RESOURCES FOR RACE DIRECTORS
