Little Rock Relay Marathon Training Now Underway

LITTLE ROCK, AR (December 12, 2005) - It will be a little easier to keep that resolution to be more fit with the start of the New Year weeks away. Organizers of the Little Rock Relay Marathon, presented by the Adolescent Center & Sports Medicine Plus at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, are gearing up for an increase in participants preparing for the race, which is held in conjunction with the Little Rock Marathon, presented by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette on March 5, 2006.

The relay marathon is run on the same course and at the same time as the marathon. The 26.2-mile course is divided up into four sections (6.8 miles, 6.6 miles, 7.2 miles, and 5.6 miles) that start and finish in the same locations as the marathon (downtown Little Rock near Capitol and Victory Streets.

The first leg gets underway at 8 a.m., however teams needing more than six hours to finish are encouraged to begin at 6 a.m. with early start for the marathon. About 400 teams from around the country are expected to participate with 16 award divisions as well as an award for the organization with the largest number of teams.

" A relay marathon brings back the concept of teamwork and camaraderie that are typically not part of an a marathon, Roy Lamm, relay marathon chair said. “The relay marathon adds a longer distance element for individuals who are not ready or do not wish to participate in the entire marathon. We originally created this race primarily as a team competition for schools and corporations, but have had such overwhelming success over the last couple years in the family and religious organization divisions that we continue to add divisions.”

“We are excited to have the Adolescent Center & Sports Medicine Plus at Arkansas Children’s Hospital as the presenting sponsor of this year’s relay marathon race,” Lamm said. “We believe there is a great need for a fitness program geared towards adolescents and teens. We will be developing that program with the help of the Adolescent Center & Sports Medicine Plus.”

Official training for the relay begins December 12 with schedules and information available at www.littlerockmarathon.com/training. Training is free of charge and a program of Little Rock Parks & Recreation.

Entry fees:
$35 per person before February 1
$45 per person after February 1
$55 per person race weekend

To register for the relay marathon or get additional information, visit www.littlerockmarathon.com
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