(LITTLE ROCK - January 10, 2006) - The Little Rock Marathon Executive Committee today announced that the marathon prize money structure has been expanded for 2006 offering participants a larger total prize purse.

The 4th annual Little Rock Marathon, benefiting Little Rock Parks & Recreation, will take place on Sunday, March 5, 2006 and will reward winners with prize money totaling more than $20,000, compared to $17,000 in 2005.

“The Little Rock Marathon is now attracting elite athletes from around the world,” said Greg Hatcher, chairman of the Little Rock Marathon Executive Committee. “The purse that we offer adds a dimension of excitement as the participants and spectators witness first had the excitement of world-class racing in the streets of Little Rock. I believe the increase in our prize purse, we will continue to bring exception athletes to here and reward our local running scene.”

According to the new structure, prize money will be given to the first five marathoners, the first three marathoners from Pulaski County, and the first standard wheelchair/standard racing wheelchair racer to finish the race in both the men and women’s divisions. The following is the new prize money breakdown:


Full Marathon 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Per Gender Total
Open $2,000 $1,500 $1,000 $750 $500 $5,750 $11,500
Wheelchair* $500 $250 $100 $0 $0 $850 $1,700
Masters $500 $250 $100 $0 $0 $850 $1,700
Pulaski County* $500 $250 $100 $0 $0 $850 $1,700
Half Marathon 1st 2nd 3rd Per Gender Total
Open $750 $500 $250 $1,500 $3,000
Masters $250 $200 $100 $550 $1,100
Total Awarded $20,700

“This will be the first year we offer cash to Pulaski County residents,” said Bill Torrey, race director for the Little Rock Marathon. “We have great runners locally that run other races. Hopefully a little money will get them to run our race instead of a race up north.”

“Another first for the race is cash purse for the fastest standard wheelchair racers in both the men’s and women’s divisions,” said Torrey. “For a chair to qualify it must be a hand powered with no cranks, gears or chains. Handcycles will be allowed to participate in the race but will not be eligible for the prize money.”

For more information about the new prize structure contact Bill Torrey at 501-231-3730 or visit www.littlerockmarathon.com for details.

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