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Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Indianapolis Monumental Marathon on fast track for record registrations

INDIANAPOLIS – Organizers of the 5th annual Indianapolis Monumental Marathon (IMM) report that registrations for this year’s event could exceed 12,000 when the race steps off Saturday, Nov. 3 event.

“The response and depth of enthusiasm among runners is truly impressive,” said IMM Executive Director Blake Boldon. “I think our venue, coupled with the time of year and course layout, continues to stir interest in the international running community.”

More than 3,500 participated in IMM’s 2008 inaugural run and has grown significantly each year. The event is the largest of its kind in Indiana. Last year’s marathon included more than 10,000 participants from 42 states, including participants from Canada, Germany, Great Britain and Kenya.

Franciscan St. Francis Health continues in its role as presenting sponsor of the Monumental Marathon and Half Marathon. The hospital provides a variety means of support, but perhaps the most significant its full medical team, headed by Jeffrey Peterson, MD, to assist runners along the course and at a Franciscan St. Francis Sports Medicine-staffed area near the finish line.

“Promoting health and wellness benefits our entire community, particularly our youth,” said Robert J. Brody, St. Francis chief executive officer and president. "Truly, the marathon is a test of endurance for athletes and we are proud to return as presenting sponsor of this event.”

The race, which steps off at 8 a.m., features a full marathon (26.2 miles) a half marathon (13.1 miles). A 5K run – sponsored by local engineering architectural firm HNTB – also is featured. A fourth featured race, the Kids Fun Run, is now in its second year.

All courses 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 2013 Boston Marathon.

Several lndianapolis-area educational institutions will get a leg up on their programs. The IMM donates its proceeds to those organizations. Since 2008, the IMM has directly donated over $280,000 in proceeds to support local public education with the Indianapolis Public Schools Education Foundation as the largest beneficiary.

To register for the 2012 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, go to http://monumentalmarathon.com.

More information about the St. Francis Sports Medicine program is at http://www.franciscanalliance.org/hospitals/indianapolis/services/sports-med/Pages/default.aspx.