BIG SUR INTERNATIONAL MARATHON TO HOLD TRAINING CLINICS FOR THE HALF MARATHON AND LAUNCH THE BIG SUR TRAINING CLUB

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PUBLICITY CONTACT: Franca Gargiulo

Director of Media Relations

Phone: (415) 922-2870

E-mail: franca.gargiulo@att.net

BIG SUR INTERNATIONAL MARATHON TO HOLD TRAINING CLINICS FOR THE HALF MARATHON AND LAUNCH THE BIG SUR TRAINING CLUB

July 12, Carmel, CA – The Big Sur International Marathon will be holding two free Official Training Clinics at the Steinbeck Forum in the Monterey Conference Center in downtown Monterey on Saturday, July 17, 2004 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and on Tuesday, July 20, 2004, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The clinics are designed to help participants to prepare for the 2nd presentation of the Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay that will be held on Sunday, October 17, 2004.

The Training Clinics will be led by the legendary Team USA Coach, Bob Sevene, and Big Sur International Marathon training coordinator and nationally ranked runner, Mike Dove. The clinic is designed primarily for first timers and will offer a variety of topics on how to handle the half marathon distance. It will cover training schedules, nutrition, injury prevention, motivation, advice from experts, and much more. All participants will receive discount coupons from The Treadmill and Turtle Bay. Training manuals will be available for $10.

Participants at the Training Clinics can also sign up for the Big Sur Training Club, a new fee-based program offering hands-on training under the direction of Team USA Monterey Bay’s Coach Bob Sevene. A 12-week program will provide training for the Big Sur Half Marathon. There is also a 19-week program for those who wish to also train for the California International Marathon.

Online registration for the 2004 Big Sur Half Marathon is available at the website: www.bigsurhalfmarathon.org. The 2nd annual Big Sur Half Marathon offers 3000 participants the opportunity to run a scenic loop including Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, historic Cannery Row, and the spectacular Pacific Grove coastline. The race, which begins at 7:00 a.m., will also offer “chip” timing, with splits for the 5K, 10K and 10 mile. The course will be packed with live entertainment and there will be many well-stocked aid stations. In addition, there will be a two-day Health & Fitness Expo preceding the race, as well as a Pasta Dinner the evening before.

All proceeds from the event will be distributed to non-profit organizations throughout Monterey County and Big Sur. Over the past 18 years, more than $1.3 million has been distributed to local charities.

For more information about the Training Clinics or the Half Marathon, call the Big Sur International Marathon office at 831-625-6226 or email info@bsim.org, and check out the website: www.bsim.org.

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