The SunTrust Richmond Marathon is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a bang by shattering its all-time registration record. As of Wednesday, October 31, almost 4,800 runners had signed up for "America's Friendliest Marathon." That total breaks the marathon's previous record of 4,763 set in 2005. With more than a week left to register, a total marathon field of more than 5,000 is expected by race day on Saturday, November 10. The marathon's companion race, the NTELOS 8K, is nearing the 5,000 entry mark and is on pace to shatter the record field of 5,393 participants set last year. A total field of more than 6,000 is expected for the NTELOS 8K.

This is the eighth time in nine years that the marathon has set a new entry record and the ninth time in ten years for the 8K.

Online registration for the SunTrust Richmond Marathon, the NTELOS 8K or the Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run is available at www.richmondmarathon.com until 11:59 p.m., Wednesday November 7. Late walk-up registration for those events can be accomplished at the Omni Richmond Hotel during the Health & Fitness Expo on Thursday, November 8 from 4 to 8 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 9 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. There is no race day registration!

In all, the SunTrust Richmond Marathon, NTELOS 8K and Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run are expected to have a total field of more than 11,000 participants, which would surpass 2005's record number of 10,390. More than 1,000 Richmond area runners have registered for the marathon by signing up for the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team, a 6-month program that encourages entry level runners to attempt a marathon.

The SunTrust Richmond Marathon will be held on Saturday, November 10 beginning at 8:00 a.m. at 7th and Broad Streets in downtown Richmond. The NTELOS 8K will follow at 8:35 a.m. The Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run will begin at 9th & Main Streets at 8:15 a.m.

Ironworks to provide live race day coverage. Ironworks Consulting is proud to offer live splits at the 13.1-mile and 20-mile marks, as well as finish results for all marathon participants on the race Web site Participants can sign up for the service at the Ironworks Booth at the SunTrust Richmond Marathon & NTELOS 8K Health and Fitness Expo at the Omni Hotel on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.

2007 SunTrust Richmond Marathon & NTELOS 8K Schedule

Thursday, November 8
4:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.	Health & Fitness Expo, 
Packet pick-up and walk-up registration at The Omni Hotel
Friday, November 9
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 10
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 (7th & Broad Streets)
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.	Finish Line Festival
3:00 p.m.	        Marathon course closes
7:00 p.m.	        Crocs Marathon Concert at Toad's Place featuring Alex Band