Nearly 97 Percent Finish First-Ever ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon

Photo courtesy of ASIPhoto.com

(ATLANTA, March 28, 2007) – A record number of racers finished the inaugural ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon on Sunday, March 25. Nearly 97 percent who started the course completed it within the official seven-hour time limit. Under blue skies, spring blooms, and summer-like temperatures – a record 87 degrees Fahrenheit – 13,730 of the original 15,000 registered for the event started out on the neighborhood-based course, with 13,258 crossing the finish.

“We could not have asked for a better day for a better race in a better city,” shared Victoria Seahorn, race director of the first-ever ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon. “Our goal was to deliver a safe and spectacular race that highlighted the diversity of Atlanta and celebrated its unity. Today, I believe we accomplished that. Of course, like any first-time event, we plan to build on the best and learn from the rest for 2008.” Acknowledging the success and a few challenges of a first-time race, Seahorn said the majority of the racers had an exceptional experience sharing their enjoyment of the city and the appreciation of a spectator-filled racecourse. The greatest opportunity for improving the race next year and ensuring the safety of the runner is in improving the availability of hydration along the race course. “We understand that a number of runners were frustrated by water and sports drink availability at some water stations. As a runner myself, I definitely share and understand their frustration” added Seahorn. “Even though adequate water and sports drink supplies were at the scheduled locations on the course, it was the logistics of getting it into the hands of racers that fell through. I can assure you that safety and proper hydration will always be our top priorities.”

“Most runners took the adequate steps pre-race and during the race to keep themselves healthy,” offered Dr. Perry Julien, medical director for Sunday's race. “We treated about 400 people, far fewer than we expected considering the record temperatures. The ailments we treated were consistent with what you’d expect in a race with these distances: exhaustion, heat illness, sprains, cramping, and blisters.”

Despite the challenges, and the record high temperature, 4,340 racers finished the 26.2-mile marathon course and 8,918 completed the 13.1-mile half marathon course that traveled through Atlanta’s in-town neighborhoods, including MLK, Sweet Auburn, Decatur, North Druid Hills, Virginia Highlands, Poncey Highlands, and Inman Park. The 2008 event will maintain the tour of in-town neighborhoods with planned changes to the start and finish to better accommodate the racers.

""We're proud that ING was part of this successful inaugural race,” said Tom Waldron, executive vice president, ING Americas. “The ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon showcased the best of Atlanta from the great neighborhoods to the enthusiastic spectators to the hundreds of dedicated volunteers whose work ensured a successful race. We look forward to partnering with the Georgia Marathon, LLC to build on this year's success."

Race Highlights

· 15,000 Total Entrants

· 13,730 Total Starters

· 13,258 Total Finishers

· 96.6 Percent Finishing Rate

· Total Prize Purse: more than $30,000

· Age of youngest marathoner: 18

· Age of oldest marathoner: 78

· U.S. states represented: 50

· Countries represented: more than 25

· Number of volunteers: more than 2,000

· Temperature at the start: 59 F

· Temperature at the finish: 87 F (a record high in Atlanta)

· 250 schoolchildren from four Atlanta middle schools finished the Final Mile as part of ING’s Run for Something Better

The 2008 ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon will be held on Sunday, March 30, 2008.