The NTELOS 8K, part of the SunTrust Richmond Marathon, has set a new record for the most entries in its 29-year history. As of Tuesday morning, November 7, more than 4,700 runners had registered for the event, breaking last year's record total of 4,698. With three days left to register, a total field of more than 5,000 is expected by race day Saturday, November 11. This is the second straight year and the eighth time in the past nine years that the 8K has set a new entry record. Combined registrations for the SunTrust Richmond Marathon, NTELOS 8K, and Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run are expected to be near 10,000 for the second year in a row.

The SunTrust Richmond Marathon will be held Saturday, November 11 beginning at 8 a.m. at 7th and Broad Streets in downtown Richmond. The NTELOS 8K will follow at 8:35 a.m. at 6th and Broad Streets. The Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run will begin at 9th & Main Streets at 8:15 a.m.

Online entries for the SunTrust Richmond Marathon, NTELOS 8K, and Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run will be accepted up until Wednesday night, November 8th. After that, people can sign up in person at the Race Expo at the Omni Richmond Hotel on Thursday, November 9 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Friday, November 10 from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. There is no Race Day registration.

It Is Never Too Early To Register For 2007
Next year marks the 30th anniversary of the Richmond Marathon and to celebrate the event is offering a special $30 marathon entry fee for a very limited time. The unheard of price will be offered for online registrants only from Friday, November 10 through midnight Sunday, November 12th. After that, the fee will still be an incredibly-low $50 through December 31.

Event organizers are already planning a full list of special promotions and activities for the 30th anniversary marathon. Among the perks already announced are a commemorative anniversary shirt, commemorative anniversary finishers' medal, commemorative anniversary poster, and commemorative anniversary premium item for all marathon entrants.

Event To Honor Veterans On November 11
This year's 29th running of the SunTrust Richmond Marathon November 11 will take on special significance as the event recognizes Veterans Day. A host of special features will serve to honor our country's veterans and active duty personnel entered in both the marathon and its companion race, the NTELOS 8K.

Among the ways the event will honor Veterans Day include distributing special red, white, and blue bibs to be worn by veterans/active duty military personnel running in either race, special bibs to be worn by family and friends in honor of military and veterans with the honoree's name, special True Blue bracelets to be given to veterans and those honoring veterans and active duty military personnel, a military band to play the national anthem at the start of the event, and other special recognition along both race routes. The bibs and bracelets will be available at the NTELOS booth at the event's Health & Fitness Expo November 9th and 10th.

Ironworks To Provide Live Race Day Coverage
Ironworks Consulting is proud to offer live splits and results for all marathon participants on the race web site. In addition to 13.1 and 20-mile splits and standings as well as finish results, Ironworks will provide photos throughout the event for friends and family who can not attend.

Event Means Big $$$ For Local Economy
The thousands of out-of-town participants and spectators that invade the Richmond region this weekend for the SunTrust Richmond Marathon and NTELOS 8k mean millions of dollars to the local economy, a recent study confirms.

The 2005 SunTrust Richmond Marathon, featuring the largest participant field and most spectators in its 28-year history, pumped more than $8.4 million into the Richmond economy, according to InZone Research, a sports marketing research group working through Virginia Commonwealth University SportsCenter. The study involved interviewing more than 600 attendees at the event on their travel and spending habits during the weekend of November 10-13, 2005.

This Saturday's SunTrust Richmond Marathon will be Virginian Dane Rauschenberg's 45th of 2006. Dane is on a quest to be the only person to run one marathon every weekend in 2006 (52 marathons - without fail - no matter where it takes him), with all the proceeds that he raises going to the organization L'Arche-Mobile, an international federation of communities in which people with a mental handicap and those who help them can live, work, and share their lives together. And if that is not enough, Dane will continue to work at his present occupation during the week and attempt to run every marathon in 2006 under 4 hours! With 44 Marathons down (including the ING New York City Marathon this past Sunday), he is well on his way! For more information, visit his web site.

2006 SunTrust Richmond Marathon & NTELOS 8K Schedule

Thursday, November 9
4:00 - 8:00 p.m.	Health & Fitness Expo,
Packet pick-up and walk-up registration at The Omni Hotel
Friday, November 10
11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.	Health & Fitness Expo, 
Packet pick-up and walk-up registration at The Omni Hotel
11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.	Bus tours of marathon course 
6:00- 8:00 p.m.	        Pasta Dinner at the Omni Hotel
Saturday, November 11
6:00 - 8:30 a.m.	Packet pick-up
8:00 a.m.	        Marathon start (7th & Broad Streets)
8:15 a.m.	        Kids Run Start (9th & Main Streets)
8:35 a.m.	        8K start (6th & Broad Streets)
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.	Finish Line Festival
11:00 a.m.	        8K awards ceremony for overall and masters winners
12:00 p.m.	        Marathon awards ceremony for overall and masters winners
3:00 p.m.	        Marathon course closes