KeyBank Vermont City Marathon Officials Announce 25th Anniversary Plans
From our friends at RunVermont:
To commemorate the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon’s 25th Anniversary this May, the organization announces celebratory events, special recognition of volunteers, and appearances of notable running legends. The marathon and relay is scheduled to take place on May 26, 2013, and athletes Jeff Galloway, Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, and Bart Yasso have all confirmed their attendance to help mark this milestone year.
“We want to celebrate everyone that has played a part in making the past 25 years successful ones,” said Peter Delaney, RunVermont’s executive director. “We’re doing this by making the race special for runners, volunteers and the community by hosting volunteer events and including notable runners in the race and events leading up to it.”
Special appearances of several running legends will allow athletes and their families to celebrate with the runners that have been an inspiration to many throughout the years. Jeff Galloway is a world-class athlete and member of the 1972 Olympic team, with victories including the Peachtree Road Race, Honolulu Marathon, Atlanta Marathon and top place finisher in many prominent U.S. races such as the Boston Marathon. Author of the best-selling running book in North America, “Galloway’s Book on Running,” Mr. Galloway will speak at the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon pasta dinner on Saturday, May 25 and will also host “Jeff Galloway’s Running School” the same day.
Jeff Galloway, along with Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers and Bart Yasso, will be present at the two day Sport and Fitness EXPO and are expected to participate in the 25th running of the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon & Relay. Frank Shorter won the gold medal in the marathon at the 1972 Summer Olympics, and his victory is credited with igniting the running boom in the United States of the 1970s. Bill Rodgers is a four-time winner of both the Boston Marathon and New York City Marathon. Runner in Chief of Runner’s World Magazine, Bart Yasso, is credited for creating the Yasso 800s, a very popular marathon training plan.
The 25th Anniversary event will celebrate the community that has so generously supported the marathon over time. “The marathon relies on the energy of over 1700 volunteers each year,” said Delaney, “and this year we’ll honor that dedication in style.” To recognize the greater community, the organization is planning a volunteer event at a July 7 Lake Monsters game, which will be open to anyone who has ever volunteered for the event.
Proving that runners all across New England and beyond are looking forward to the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon, registration is ahead of pace for 2013. “With 2100 people registered, we’re experiencing our strongest registration since 2006”. “We fully expect to sell-out this year,” noted Delaney, “the only question is how soon.”
One factor contributing to the Marathon’s strong registration is the race’s inclusion in the January, 2013 Runners World annual marathon guide. The KeyBank Vermont City Marathon was included as one of only four Readers’ Choice selections. Michael Wardian, who has run over 150 marathons, describes the event as a fast race your family will love and is quoted in the article, “the competition at Vermont is great and [my sons] love it there.” Wardian also dispels the myth that the course is hilly. Rather, he contends, “there are plenty of straightaways and downhills to get your legs turning.”
About the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon:
Celebrating its 25th year, the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon and Relay annually attracts 8000 participants and an estimated 30,000 spectators. Embraced by the community and supported by over 1700 volunteers, the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon is a small city race with a big city feel.
Learn more at www.RunVCM.org
About RunVermont:
RunVermont is a not-for-profit business focused on the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. The organization offers competitive and educational programs for adults and children including the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon and Relay, the MVP Health Care YAM Scram, FirstRun, Ready, Set, Run! and the Half Unplugged. For more information, visit www.runvermont.org.