MOTHER ROAD MARATHON

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Joplin, MO (December 16,2009) – Representatives from cities along Route 66 between Miami, Oklahoma and Joplin, Missouri gathered today for the announcement of the inaugural Mother Road Marathon – the United State’s first ever and only 26.2 marathon that passes through through three states in the form of Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri. The Mother Road Marathon will be held October 10, 2010 and in addition the Marathon will feature a Half Marathon (13.1 miles), 5K (3.1 mile) and 1 Mile Fun Run. The course will be a point-to-point route that will follow the historic “Mother Road” “Route 66”. Along the way, the towns of Miami, Commerce, Galena, Baxter Springs and Joplin will hold Festivals to promote the event and cheer the runners and walkers in the Marathon and Half Marathon which will start in Baxter Springs.

The event is the brainchild of the Joplin Convention & Visitors Bureau which undertook the arduous, lengthy task of securing permits from each of the three states. The event will be produced by Florida-based Reinke Sports Group, founders and operators of the 15-city nationwide USRA Half Marathon Series. The Mother Road Marathon’s “Joplin Half Marathon” will be a part of the series joining such cities as Columbia SC, Bentonville AR, Lexington KY, Council Bluffs IA, Worcester MA, Mt Pleasant WI, Purdue (Lafayette IN), Dalton GA, Gulfport MS, Reno NV, Stockton CA and Las Cruces, NM, among others.

Mother Road Marathon race weekend will commence on Saturday, October 9 with Packet Pickup and a Runner’s Health & Fitness Expo. All Marathon and Half Marathoners will receive a high tech running shirt and finisher’s medal while 5K and Fun Runners will receive a commemorative shirt an goodie bag. In the spirit of Route 66, three will be music throughout the course, aid stations every 2 mile, live music throughout and a post race party with food, refreshments and music at the finish at the Joplin Athletic Complex.

Founding partners of the event in addition to Reinke Sports Group and the Joplin Convention & Visitors Bureau are the Cities of Miami, Commerce, Galena and Baxter Springs. Joining them are Radio Station group AMI and KSN TV. Discussions are being held with other major sponsor candidates and individuals, companies and organizations wanting to volunteer can contact the website to inquire and sign up.

Further information on the Mother Road Marathon can be obtained via the website at www.TriStateMotherRoadMarathon.com