200 runners make history at dawn on Sunday, May 2, when they run a brand-new 26.2-mile marathon -- the Primus Telecommunications Potomac River Run Marathon and Half-Marathon -- at Belle Haven Park in Alexandria, Virginia, with United States Surgeon General Vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona as official starter of the 7:00 am flight.

Conducted by a unique coalition of local running clubs, the scenic, historic course starts at Belle Haven Park and heads down and back on the Mount Vernon Trail along the Potomac River, through the woods of George Washington Memorial Parkway. The course is partly flat, partly hilly. At sunrise, runners see herons, cranes, geese, and perhaps deer.

"We've got plenty of science to tell us what we need to do - get moving!" said VADM Carmona last year.

"Our race committee worked hard to create this new marathon," said event director Jay Jacob Wind. "We thank the National Park Service, our committee members, our sponsors, our supporting clubs, our many volunteers, and all our participants. Together, we overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles to make this marathon a success."

"This event shows why the Washington, D.C., region is so great for sports," said Robert Sweeney, executive director of the Greater Washington Sports Alliance. "A group of runners had a vision, and we supported it to demonstrate how inspirational sports can be for our community."

In fact, runners will participate from 14 states, D.C., and the Virgin Islands, the United Kingdom, and Kenya. "We filled 30 hotel rooms in Arlington, Alexandria, College Park, and D.C.," said Wind.

Since the course is on a multi-use trail, for runners' safety, the start is split into three flights:
* 6:00 am - Early Birds
* 6:30 am - Coffee Achievers
* 7:00 am - Top Flight (qualifying time: 3:30 or better)
Participants may choose their preferred flight. The marathon offers water/aid stations every mile or so.

All finishers receive medals and finisher certificates after the race. Cash prizes go to the top 3 overall in the marathon ($250 for 1st, $150 for 2nd, and $100 for 3rd). Gift certificates and merchandise awards go to the top 3 by five-year age-groups and "first in flight," male and female. The awards ceremony begins after 10:00 am.

Among men, top seeds are John Piggott of North Carolina; Ray Emmerson of Alexandria; Robert Radzwich and Erik Werner, both of Pennsylvania; and Steven Dunn of Washington DC; among women, Tracy Stewart of Colorado Springs; and Dr. Antonia Baum of Chevy Chase, MD. Two world-class Kenyan runners, Micah Rop (2:13 best) and Steve Natholi (2:14), plan to run, pending visas, so the race could yield a Virginia state record.

Packet pick-up is the day before the race, Saturday, May 1, from 10 am to 6 pm, at El Mexicano Restaurant, 3300 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA, 22201, next door to Mario's Pizza, two blocks west of Clarendon Metro. Parking is free.

The marathon's College of Running, open to the public, is Saturday, May 1, at El Mexicano. Attendees earn a certificate. Speakers include:

o 11 am: Coach Jim Kreutel: "How We Trained for the Marathon" (Kreutel has coached many marathon training programs, including Potomac River Run's 16-week program)
o 1 pm: Dr. Antonia Baum: "Body Image for Athletes" (Dr. Baum, a 3:26 marathoner, is a registered psychotherapist specializing in eating disorders among athletes)
o 3 pm: Dr. Alfred Morris: "The Doctor is IN: Last-Minute Health, Nutritional and Other Preparations for a Successful Race" (Dr. Morris has served as medical director for many marathons, including the Potomac River Run)

Potomac River Run is the first new marathon in the DC area since 2002. Coordinated by Arlington Cooperation Foundation Arlington Cooperative Running Club, the event is supported by the Greater Washington Sports Alliance and 11 running clubs: Capitol Hill Runners, Chesapeake Bay Running Club, IDB Runners Club, Loudoun Road Runners, Marathon Charity Partners, Montgomery County Road Runners Club, Northern Virginia Running Club, Potomac Runners, Reston Runners, Potomac Valley Track Club, and Washington RunHers.

More than 30 prize sponsors include Big Wheel Bikes (who donated a $1,000 certificate toward purchase of a bike), Arlington Cinema'n'Drafthouse, Arlington YMCA, Big Belly Deli, Chadwick's, Chart House, Chevy's Fresh Mex, Common Grounds, Dance Factory, Georgetown Running Company, Great American Restaurants, Hard Times Cafe, Hurt Cleaners, Metro 29 Diner, Potomac River Running Stores, Rhodeside Grill, Silver Diner, and SoBe Seafood Co.

Major sponsors are Primus Telecommunications, 7-Eleven, The Chrisopher Companies, and Virginia Hospital Center. Other sponsors are Lawson & Frank, Potomac Custom Builders, Dominion Electric Supply, Dr. Bernard Etherly, Mike Webb RE/MAX Allegiance, Brown Honda, Carvel Ice Cream, Dan Kain Trophies, DrinkMore Water, Doctor Delivery and Mario's Pizza House, Giant Food, Gold's Gym, Whole Foods, and Northern VA Massage Therapy. Every participant gets a Sport ScienceTM DriRelease performance jersey.

Race proceeds benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Special Olympics Virginia, Arlington County Civic Federation 9/11 Scholarship Fund, Arlington Public Schools music and athletic programs, Arlingtonians Ministering to Emergency Needs, and W-L Graduation.

For more information about the event, see http://www.pvtc.org/marathon.html or call 703-218-2726.