News & Events

Madison, WI – Jan. 6, 2012 – The National Black Marathoners’ Association (NBMA) announced its ninth annual marathon gathering will be held at the 2012 Madison Marathon on May 26 and 27, 2012. The NBMA serves as a vehicle for Black Americans to meet en mass at a single marathon and provides scholarships to a deserving high school boy and girl distance runner each year. The Madison Marathon is owned by Madison Festivals, Inc. (MFI).

“We are very excited about running this event and having a great, fun-filled weekend,” said NBMA’s Executive Director, Tony Reed. “This race came highly recommended by our members from Cincinnati’s Avondale Running Club.”

Rita Kelliher, president of Madison Festivals, Inc., echoed Reed’s sentiment. “Part of MFI and Madison Marathon’s mission is to attract visitors and showcase Madison’s charms. We’re flattered to have been chosen by the NBMA and we’re looking forward to introducing potentially hundreds of runners to our unique and beautiful city,” Kelliher said.

NBMA marathon participants will be wearing red jerseys or shirts and black shorts or pants to symbolize their membership during the race. The NBMA has members in 43 states and five countries.

About National Black Marathoners’ Association: The National Black Marathoners’ Association (NBMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to encouraging Black Americans and others to pursue a healthy life-style through running and walking. It is open to everyone, regardless of your athletic ability or previous marathon experience. The NBMA hosts an annual marathon gathering each year. Previous locations and events for the gathering have been Lewis & Clark Marathon (St. Charles, MO), New Jersey Marathon (Long Branch, NJ), Rite-Aid Cleveland (OH) Marathon, Lost Dutchman Marathon (Apache Junction, AZ), Cowtown Marathon (Ft. Worth, TX), ING (Atlanta) Georgia Marathon, Bermuda International Race Weekend, and Deadwood-Michelson Marathon (Deadwood, SD). The NBMA’s website is http://www.BlackMarathoners.org.

About Madison Festival, Inc: Madison Festivals, Inc., a non-profit volunteer-based organization, produces and develops events in the greater Madison community, such as Taste of Madison and Madison Marathon. These events enhance the quality of life for residents, showcase the area to visitors, and provide assistance to local charitable organizations. The Madison Marathon consists of several events, including a full and half marathon to be run on Sunday morning, May 27, and a 10K and kids races scheduled for the early evening of Saturday, May 26. The American Cancer Society is the charity of record for the annual Madison Marathon.

Contact:

Madison Festival, Inc:
Scott Smith
608-276-9797 x 3
scott@madisonfestivals.com

NBMA:
Tony Reed
214-257-0469
Info@BlackMarathoners.org

MADISON MARATHON INTRODUCES 10K TWILIGHT RUN TO RACE WEEKEND 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Madison, Wis. – The Madison Marathon is adding a 10K twilight run to its annual event in 2012, starting at 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 26. The race will start and finish on the Capitol Square. The kids races, including the “Ready, Set, Go!” youth marathon, will be moved from Sunday morning to Saturday evening. The full and half marathon races will continue to take place on Sunday morning prior to Memorial Day (May 27). Registration for all Madison Marathon events opens Nov. 11, 2011.

The quarter marathon, held since 2008, has been eliminated due to runner familiarity with the 10k distance. Changes to the race weekend schedule developed out of increased participation the past several years.

“With the popularity of running, we want to ensure runners in each race have a quality experience,” says Rita Kelliher, president of Madison Festivals, Inc. (MFI). “By expanding to Saturday, runners will have more room on the course and we can take better care of them at aid stations and at the finish line.”

The MFI board of directors, producers of the Madison Marathon, saw this as an opportunity to add a high-quality 10K race to the Madison-area market wherein participants weren’t overshadowed by runners in the longer distance events. Kelliher says holding the 10K on Saturday allows friends and family running the full or half marathon to support the 10k runners and vice-versa. “We’re planning to make Saturday evening a kickoff party for the Madison Marathon weekend and would love to see the full and half marathoners cheer them on and hand out medals.”

All 10K runners will receive a tech-shirt like the full and half marathon runners, and all finishers will receive a medal specific to their event. The 10K finish line will feature food and drink along with all amenities runners on Sunday receive, including medical. Presenting sponsor Michelob Ultra will provide a beer to racers over the age of 21.

Madison Marathon is a Madison Festivals, Inc.’s event and benefits American Cancer Society (ACS) through their Determination program. The full and half marathon routes are U.S. Track & Field certified and the full marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifier. Race days are Saturday, May 26 (10K and Kids) and Sunday, May 27, 2012. The Madison Marathon Expo will be at Monona Terrace on Friday and Saturday, May 25-26, 2012. Visit www.madisonmarathon.org for additional details.

Madison Festivals, Inc. is a non-profit 501c3 organization headed by president Rita Kelliher and a volunteer board of directors. MFI produces and develops events in the greater Madison community such as Madison Marathon and Taste of Madison. Their events are designed to enhance the quality of life for residents, showcase the area to visitors, and provide assistance to local charitable organizations. Their events are produced by Purple Door Productions. For more visit www.madisonfestivals.com, call (608) 276-9797 x 4 or e-mail events@madisonfestivals.com.