St. Francis-sponsored marathon to have new president after 2010 race

INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis Monumental Marathon officials have selected a new president who will assume that role after this year’s Nov. 6 race.

He’s Alexander S. Adams, a member of the IMM’s board of directors. He succeeds Carlton Ray, who founded and has guided the race since its inception in 2008.

“Certainly, Carlton’s vision has made our event a fixture of the Indianapolis landscape each November,” said IMM Executive Director Julie Patterson. “Alex has been an active supporter and participant in the Monumental Marathon and other distance-running and training activities.”

Adams, vice president of Fifth Third Bank, was a 22-year member of the Indianapolis Athletic Club. A five-time Boston Marathon runner, he initiated and directed the club’s Shamrock Run/Walk, which over the years expanded to 3,000 entries.

An Indianapolis resident, Adams has served as an instructor and motivator for more than a dozen years for the Bricks to Bricks training raining program for the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon.

The president-elect was named a Sagamore of the Wabash by former Gov. Robert Orr. Adams and his wife, Cynthia, reside in the Indianapolis area with their two sons.

St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers continues in its role as title sponsor of the IMM, which it has done since the IMM’s 2008 inaugural race. Jeff Peterson, M.D., leads a medical team of nearly 100 physicians, nurses, physical therapists and trainers. St. Francis volunteers also help runners and assist in a variety of ways.

The race features a full marathon (26.2 miles) a half marathon (13.1 miles) and an inaugural 5K distance. All courses will begin near Washington and West streets and finish on Robert D. Orr Drive to the finish line, just steps away from the Indiana State Capitol building.

The urban courses are sanctioned and certified by the standards of USA Track and Field, the national body of road racing, with the marathon course serving as a qualifier for the 2011 Boston Marathon.

Several lndianapolis-area educational institutions will get a leg up on their programs. The IMM donates its proceeds to those organizations. Last year’s donations topped $51,000.

To register or to learn more about the IMM go to http://monumentalmarathon.com.