Palm Beaches Marathon Announces New Race Directors
Event will take place as planned and registration is open
West Palm Beach, FL – The Palm Beaches Marathon Festival is pleased to announce the addition of Hank Zemola and Josh Ruston as co-race directors for the 8th annual event which will take place Sunday, December 4, 2011 along Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach. In addition to his role as Race Director Zemola is CEO of Special Events Management which specializes in race events and has produced more than 2000 in the company’s 23 year history. The Palm Beaches Marathon also announced information about the course, a date change for the 5K, sponsorship partnership with Publix® and the addition of Team Fox, the Michael J. Fox charity which raises money and awareness for Parkinson’s Disease
The 2011 marathon course will remain the same with the start/finish location at the Waterfront Park between North and South Clematis Street. The beginning of the race will proceed north to Currie Park, loop back downtown along Flagler Drive and continue south to the Lantana Bridge in the Town of Lantana. Runners will enjoy a course which winds through the neighborhoods of El Cid and College Park, and along tree lined streets that border the intercostal waterway. "Our team is excited to be part of this world class event," said Zemola, "as a past director of several other marathons we look forward to working with the community, volunteers and local businesses to produce an exceptional experience for all the participants." The Palm Beaches Marathon is also a 2012 Boston Qualifier and is certified by the USATF.
The 5K which was originally scheduled to run on Friday, December 2 will now take place on Sunday, December 4. Runners who have registered for the race will automatically be switched to the new race day and time. The course will begin at the marathon Start/Finish line at the Waterfront Park and run north toward Currie Park, loop back downtown along Flagler Drive and end at the Waterfront Park. Registered runners who cannot attend or unable to run this race on Sunday, December 4 will be issued a refund upon request.
Publix® will be back as Presenting Sponsor for the fourth (4) year to support the race and surrounding events. The Publix® Health & Fitness Expo will take place Friday, December 2 through Saturday, December 4 in the Harriet Himmel Theatre at CityPlace. The expo features exhibitors showcasing heath, common wellness, sports and fitness products. In 2010, more than 20,000 people attend the event which stimulated business in the downtown area. Runners can register for The Palm Beaches Marathon Festival during the expo and registered participants can pick up their race packets.
Team Fox has joined the Palm Beaches Marathon Festival as a preferred charity partner. Team Fox was launched in January 2006 as a way for The Michael J. Fox Foundation to support the heroes all over the country who already had made it their personal mission to find uniquely creative and fun ways to raise funds for Parkinson's research. Team Fox provides guidance, tools and resources for the thousands of amazing people all over the world who are walking, running, baking, party planning, paddling, pedaling, and dancing to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson's research. Runners who are interested and raising funds on behalf of Team Fox should register at the website TeamFox.org.
Achilles International has also confirmed to be as a preferred charity partner for the upcoming Palm Beaches Marathon Festival for the 8th year. Achilles International has chapters and members in over 65 locations within the United States and abroad. Every day, in parks, gyms, and tracks all over the world, Achilles provides athletes with disabilities with a community of support. Able-bodied volunteers and disabled runners come together to train in an environment of support and community. Within this community, runners gain measurable physical strength and build confidence through their sense of accomplishment, which often transfers to other parts of their life. Runners who are interested in raising funds on behalf of Achilles should contact Chris Holcomb at cholcomb@achillesinternational.org for more information.
Information about the event schedule is listed below and includes new start times for the Marathon, Half and Relay races. All races will take place on Sunday, December 4 with staggering start times to accommodate the running field and new Perfect 10K race.
About The Palm Beaches Marathon:
The Palm Beaches Marathon Festival takes place Friday, December 2 through Sunday, December 4 at the downtown Waterfront Park, CityPlace and along Flagler Drive. Information about the event times, details and ways to register for the race can be found at www.runpalmbeaches.com. The Palm Beaches Marathon Festival is celebrating its 8th year in 2011. For the past seven years more than 29,000 runners have participated in the marathon representing every state in the union and more than 48 countries from around the world.
About Special Events Management:
Special Events Management is the largest producer of Special Events in the Midwest. Annually it produces over 100 events. CEO and co-director Hank Zemola was a competitive runner and the past Executive Director of the Chicago Area Runners Association, the nation’s second largest running organization in the United States. Co-Director Josh Ruston is an Elite marathon runner in the Chicago Market and is currently the race director for the Rockford Marathon. Last year both produced the Southwest Half Marathon which was awarded the "Best Race of the Year" in the Chicago Area. Each year the team produces more than 30 running events. Hank Zemola is an advocate for runner’s rights.
###