LITTLE ROCK, AR (July 23, 2007) – Little Rock Marathon officials will introduce the “Awaken The Athlete Within” training program for the 2008 Little Rock Marathon at informational meeting hosted at Arvest Bank branches in Conway and Russellville on July 24.

The Little Rock Marathon is March 2, 2008 and according to Geneva Hampton, co-executive director of the Little Rock Marathon, “it is not too early to start training.”

The Little Rock Marathon offers a free training program for all who are interested in participating in the marathon and companion races.

The meeting in Conway will be held at 2850 College Avenue (Arvest Bank) from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. The meeting in Russellville will be held at 3005 West Main Place (Arvest Bank) from 4:30 pm to 6 pm. The public is invited to come by the Arvest Bank branches to meet race officials and pick up race information.

“Our goal has always been to get people moving and turn everyone into an athlete,” Hampton said. “We have very successful training programs in Pulaski and Saline counties and want to expand that success across the state.”

“Each year we train hundreds of people who do not consider themselves athletic to finish a marathon,” Hampton said. “The scary part for most is taking the first step. We believe meeting potential participants in person will take some of that fear out of the picture.”

In 2005, the CDC said 64.7% of the adult Arkansans are overweight or obese and one in three children (ages 2-19) are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight (CDC BRFSS, 2005).

“We believe we offer one solution to the obesity problem in our state,” Gina Marchese Pharis, co-executive director of the Little Rock Marathon said. “It requires each person to put one foot in front of the other while having fun .”

Events for 2008 include the Little Rock Marathon, presented by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the Little Rock Half Marathon, presented by Baptist Health, the Little Rock Marathon Relay, the Little Rock 5K Fun Run/Walk, the Little Rockers Kids Marathon, presented by Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Today’s THV, the Classic Rockers 55+ Marathon, and the Little Rock Health & Fitness Expo, presented by Arvest Bank.

Registration for the Little Rocker’s Kids Marathon and Classic Rockers 55+ Senior Marathon will open September 1, 2007.

The Little Rock Marathon is also sponsored in part by the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau; Image one of Little Rock and the Bill Titus Family.

On line registration is available at www.littlerockmarathon.com through February 21, 2008.

For more information about deadline, details and the race, visit the website or contact the Little Rock Marathon office at 501-371-4770.

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