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US Road Sports & Entertainment Group (USRS), which produces the upcoming 13.1® Fort Lauderdale in addition to the ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon® and the 13.1® Miami Beach, will award a $100,000 bonus if either male or female winner of the November 13 Lauderdale race is able to break the World Half Marathon Record.
The current world record holders are male Zersenay Tadese (58:23) and female Lornah Kiplagat (1:06:25). Cobi Morales, who returns to defend his crown, won last year's 13.1® Fort Lauderdale in a time of 1:14:59. Stacie Alboucrek won the women's race in 1:23:47.
The $100,000 prize is the largest single half marathon prize in U.S. history and is designed to try to lure elite runners to compete in the 13.1® series, which also has stops at Miami Beach (March 4, 2012) as well as Dallas (October 22, 2011), Los Angeles (January 15, 2012), New York (March 24, 2012), Chicago (June 9, 2012), Minneapolis (August 19, 2012), and Atlanta (October 2012).
"I challenge every runner in the world to break the World Half Marathon Record at the 13.1® Fort Lauderdale," said US Road Sports & Entertainment Group's CEO Greg Laird. "There is nothing I would enjoy more than handing a $100,000 check to the record-breaking winner on Fort Lauderdale beach. Bring on the competition."
In a separate bonus prize, USRS will award $50,000 to any U.S. citizen who wins any 13.1® Marathon Series race and whose winning time breaks the U.S. Half Marathon Record. Those marks are presently held by Ryan Hall (59:43) and Deena Kastor (1:07:34). An additional $3,500 in regular purse money will also be awarded.
The 13.1® Fort Lauderdale, a prep race for the 2012 ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon® on January 29, 2012, is one of the most enjoyable running events of the year for local runners, who experience a scenic course that winds through downtown Fort Lauderdale and Fort Lauderdale Beach before ending with a massive beach party at the finish line.
Entertainment stations include live bands, DJ's, and cheerleaders. The Finish Line Party includes a Live Band, Beach Yoga, Sand Sculptures, Face Painting and Balloon Artists.
Runners will receive 5,000 Free Spirit Air Miles, a Spinning Finisher Medal, Craft Cool Tech shirt, Free Beer, and Pollo TropiChops.
More than 3,000 participants will start at the Broward Convention Center on 17th Street Causeway and work west to U.S. 1. They then will head north through the New River tunnel on their way to scenic Las Olas Boulevard, the famous stretch of galleries, cafes and shops that makes Downtown Ft. Lauderdale a pedestrian-friendly destination.
As the sun rises, the waves roll in and the participants head East on Las Olas toward the ocean, they then will turn north on A1A Blvd, home to Ft. Lauderdale's new 4 and 5-star resort hotels and the lively bars and restaurants that line the beach. The course continues north towards 40th Street for the turnaround and comes back down A1A where locals and hotel visitors will cheer on runners. The race will finish at South Beach Park at the south end of A1A.
The Karhu 5K will be a race within the race. The shorter 5K race targets families and walkers looking to join the fun in one of South Florida's most enjoyable running events.
"We continue to be thrilled with the growth of this race in South Florida and, in particular, the interest of the Ft. Lauderdale running community," said David Scott, General Manager for US Road Sports & Entertainment of Florida. "The 13.1® Marathon concept continues to be one of the more popular formats in running communities nationwide. It's a distance that is easily attainable for runners, the next step up from a 10K. The recovery time allows greater participation in other events much sooner. The training period is shorter than for a marathon. But it also is a training run for the ING Miami Marathon. We have found that it's a concept that will continue to grow."
Registration for the 13.1® Marathon Fort Lauderdale is presently open for $85 until November 9th. The registration fee is $95 on November 10th.
Registration for the Karhu 5K is $25 through November 9th and then $30 race week.
Registering online at www.131fortlauderdale.com is the quickest way to register for either race. Mail registrations along with the entry fee to US Road Sport & Entertainment of Florida, LLC, C/O 13.1® Fort Lauderdale, PO Box 56-1081, Miami, FL 33256.
Call (305) 278-8668 or visit www.131fortlauderdale.com.
About US Road Sports
US Road Sports & Entertainment Group is a health and wellness company dedicated to the production of world-class endurance events. The mission of US Road Sports is to offer an unparalleled participant sports experience that showcases host communities and endures as a deeply valued local asset through events that are a part of the city's culture, identity and brand. For each participant, US Road Sports strives to offer events that allow participants of all skill levels the opportunity to improve their physical and mental health and accomplish life-altering goals while having fun. US Road Sports provides sponsors and municipalities highly effective exposure to help maximize their presence and message in the community.
About Karhu
Born in 1916, KARHU is Finland's legendary running brand. Meaning "bear" in Finnish, KARHU has an authentic heritage in running and a deep connection to the outdoors. KARHU follows the Finnish principles of design simplicity and running purity in providing technical running and outdoor gear for nearly 100 years. KARHU running shoes have been worn on the feet of some of the greatest Finnish runners, including Boston Marathon champion Olavi Suomalainen, and Paavo Nurmi, giving rise to the Flying Finns. Engineering innovative products that collaborate with the foot to convert your body's natural energy into forward momentum through the patented Fulcrum™ technology, KARHU footwear products are sold globally by running specialty retailers. KARHU is owned by KARHU Holding B.V. and designs, markets and distributes KARHU branded products. For more information about KARHU, visit www.karhu.com
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