Saline County Residents Training For A Marathon
Informational Meeting Set For August 31

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (August 26, 2009) - Little Rock Marathon race officials announced today that residents in Saline county will have an opportunity to learn more about running or walking a marathon during an informational meeting on August 31 at 6 pm in the Bryant Middle School Gym at 200 NW 4th Street in Bryant.

Kathryn Wishard of Benton will lead weekly group trainings. Tom Singleton, Head Running Coach of the Little Rock Marathon Training Program, and Hobbit Singleton, Head Walking Coach of the Little Rock Marathon Training Program will be at the meeting to give an overview of the training program and answer questions.

The Little Rock Marathon Training Program is presented by Heart Clinic Arkansas and KARK Channel 4. The program is a free running/walking program created to prepare individuals who plan to take part in one of the races next March and is a project of Little Rock Parks & Recreation. In addition to the marathon (26.2 miles) distance, schedules are available for the half marathon (13.1 miles), relay marathon (approximately a 10K), and a 5K. Schedules are available on the training section of the website.

The Little Rock Marathon (presented by Arkansas Democrat Gazette), Half Marathon (presented by Baptist Health), Relay Marathon, and Classic Rockers Final Mile will be held March 7, 2010. The Little Rock 5K Fun Run/Walk and Little Rockers Kids Marathon Final Mile, presented by Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Today’s THV, will be held March 6, 2010.

“Our training program is really a year round program,” said Tom. “After the marathon the first year, the group never stopped training.”

“The training schedules are very do-able and are for every level of fitness,” he said. “We had more than 1,600 people in last year’s program. Our program caters to first time marathoners and first time runners/walkers (meaning they have never run a step).”

“To get people thinking about the marathon, we offer a pre-training program,” said Hobbit. “The build up phase of the program will prepare a person to run or walk a 10K (6.2 miles). The Build Up begins in late August and will last six weeks. The official schedule for the marathon begins October 3 and finishes on marathon day.”

“Finishing a marathon requires remarkable determination,” said Hobbit. “Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned athlete, there is a place for you in the Little Rock Marathon training program.”

For more information about the training program or the meeting to be held on August 31, please email kwishard@bryantschools.org.
Registration for both the 2010 training program and the 2010 Little Rock Marathon (and companion races) is available online at www.littlerockmarathon.com.

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