10,000 Runners Anticipated for This Year's Event
Under Armour Performance Apparel announced a combined $100,000.00 purse for the 2004 Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival, placing the one-day event among the top ten largest guaranteed prize purses on the 2004 United States marathon calendar, according to the USA Track and Field Road Running Information Center. The event, which kicks off at 8:00 a.m. on October 16, 2004, will combine the Under Armour Baltimore Marathon, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Half-Marathon, Legg Mason Funds Team Relay, 5K and Kid's Fun Run, is expected to draw nearly 10,000 runners to the City of Baltimore. For the second year in a row, Under Armour will supply all marathon and half-marathon participants with its signature performance apparel that pulls moisture away from athletes' skin keeping them temperature regulated, dry and light throughout the event. New this year, participants in the team relay, including teams vying for the Corporate Cup, will receive Under Armour performance apparel as well with their registration fee.

"Our sponsors have shown an unprecedented commitment to making the Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival one of the country's premier destination running events," commented Lee Corrigan, principal of Corrigan Sports Enterprises, the event organizer. "The quality of the course and the enthusiasm of the fans combined with the Under Armour Performance Apparel premium for participants has made this a must-attend event for runners from around the country. We're confident with the introduction of the $100,000 purse-nearly four times the amount offered last year-the Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival's position will be solidified as a race leader beyond compare."

In addition to an increased purse, the 2004 Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival will feature numerous enhancements. In response to runner feedback, staggered start times for the marathon and half-marathon, as well as a delayed merge for the two events and shorter leg distances in the team relay, have also been incorporated to make the races optimally runner- friendly. Providing additional convenience, parking is free for marathon participants, as is online race registration (www.thebaltimoremarathon.com). This year's course will once again take runners through the city's many diverse neighborhoods including the scenic Inner Harbor waterfront area, historic Federal Hill and charming Fells Point.

The festival boasts a combined thirty percent annual increase in runner participation since the race's 2001 inception. According to www.marathonguide.com, Under Armour's 2003 Baltimore Marathon received four out of five stars in the organization and course categories, and 4.5 out of five stars in the fan participation category.

"The Baltimore Running Festival is just one more way for Under Armour to renew our commitment to inspiring and motivating athletes, and to reaffirm our dedication to the City of Baltimore," commented Kevin Plank, founder and president of Under Armour(R). "We are proud to share the responsibility of building the Festival into a nationally recognized event and see this as an excellent opportunity for Under Armour to help position our hometown as one of the top destinations in the country."

To boost community involvement for the 2004 Baltimore Running Festival, Under Armour will conduct a major marketing push including a "Marathon 101" direct mail campaign to Baltimore schools, bars, restaurants, and other area businesses that offers tips on cheering and other information on the weekend's festivities.

An additional gesture of support for athletes participating in this year's marathon, Under Armour will offer cash prizes to the top ten male and female marathon finishers, as well as to runners in a variety of unique categories including the First Terrapin (past or present University of Maryland student), First Maryland Resident, First First-Time Marathoner, and First Armed Forces Member to successfully complete the marathon.