How much has running contributed to your life? Ever thought of contributing something back? Check out these thoughts on Home Town Races. Also, be sure to catch the video features and short takes below!
Go directly to our coverage of the City of Rome Marathon
Go directly to our coverage of the Budapest Marathon
Go directly to our coverage of the Paris Marathon.
Information provided by race officials Runners to Rock the Vegas Strip Las Vegas, NV – June 10, 2009 – The inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon & Half Marathon powered by Zappos.com to benefit the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America will debut on December 6, 2009 with a revamped, glitzy new course. In unprecedented fashion, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas event will close Las Vegas Boulevard to all vehicular traffic and instead will rock with tens of thousands of runners in both the northbound and southbound lanes of the Strip. Half marathoners will enjoy the sites and sounds of the electrifying Las Vegas Boulevard for nearly the entire 13.1-mile course. ###
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U.S. Olympian and American Record Holder Deena Kastor Selects 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon for Comeback
Runner Cites Course Design and City Spirit Among Reasons for Decision
CHICAGO, IL (June 17, 2009) U.S. Olympian Deena Kastor today announced that she will compete in the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, her first appearance in the distance since injury forced her to withdraw in the third mile of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Marathon. A bronze medalist in the 2004 Athens Olympic Marathon, Kastor has her eyes set on redemption with a strong performance in the Oct. 11 race and a medal in the 2012 London Olympic Marathon. "The terrible timing of my injury in last year's Olympic Games left me with a hunger to perform well on the world stage," said Kastor from Chicago. "I am thrilled to have chosen the Bank of America Chicago Marathon for my return to the distance I love so much. Chicago holds a special place in my heart and my greatest hope is to run a personal best there." Kastor, 36, of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., currently owns the American women's marathon record (2:19:36), a title she first earned at the 2003 London Marathon (2:21:16) and narrowly missed lowering in her 2005 Chicago Marathon victory (2:21:25). A runner since the age of 11, Kastor has enjoyed a decorated professional career, but still has a few specific goals she hopes to achieve including a sub-2:18 marathon. Hitting that mark would once again lower the American record - something she is aiming to do in Chicago. "Chicago sets itself above other marathons in the U.S. in that it is the fastest, which is a big reason I am returning this fall," Kastor continued. "The familiarity and comfort level I have with the course, the staff and their attention to detail certainly will allow me to concentrate on my goals while the enthusiastic Chicago crowds provide the constant support every athlete needs to perform their best." Kastor's return to Chicago continues the race's tradition of welcoming world class athletes to its stage. Home to four world records, the 32-year-old race is one of the most competitive in the world. In its storied history it has hosted some of the great names in the sport including Steve Jones, Joan Benoit-Samuelson, Khalid Khannouchi, Catherine Ndereba and Paula Radcliffe. Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski has been assembling the race's elite field for the last 20 years. "Welcoming Deena back to Chicago is an absolute thrill especially during a time when the Olympic spirit is so strong in the city," he said. "She is a truly talented athlete in her own right, but on this course and among these sports fans her abilities are multiplied. It is an honor to bring talents like hers to the city of Chicago." In its 32nd year and a member of the World Marathon Majors, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon annually attracts 45,000 runners including a world class elite field and 1.5 million spectators. As a result of its national and international draw, the iconic race assists in raising $10 million for a variety of charitable causes while generating an estimated $140 million economic impact to its host city. The 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will start and finish in Chicago's Grant Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11. In advance of the race, a two-day Health & Fitness Expo will be held at McCormick Place on Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10. More information on the race, remaining registration options and how to get involved is available at the event Web site, www.chicagomarathon.com.
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The marathon chronicle follows our travel and running adventures as we work our various ways to marathons all over the world. See a discussion of this here. I use the term "adventures" advisedly, with special joy and fear in my voice. We have had some interesting times both on and off the course.
Then be sure to look at our marathon directory. That is just what it sounds like. We gather as much basic information as we can about every international marathon that is willing to provide it to us. We include photographs of the courses when we can, as well as links and contact information.
When you begin thinking about going, check out our travel store. We look for airfares and hotel deals that match marathons around the world and let you know when we find an exceptional deal. There is nothing worse than being all trained up with no where to run. We seek to solve that for you.
And finally, through our affiliation with Amazon.com, we sort out literature about our various destination events, about running and we also look for special deals on running clothing, accessories and shoes.
What we don't do is: a) Hand out training advise (If you don't already know, you are in the wrong place), b) Hand out medical advise (you need a sports med doctor for that), and c) screen locations and events to match your needs. You are totally responsible for understanding the risks involved in traveling to certain parts of the world and making your own decisions about your ability to handle those risks. Because we list an event, does not in any way imply that it is a good or safe choice for you.(rs)
