The 2005 SunTrust Richmond Marathon will set a new record for the most entries in the event's 28-year history in the next two weeks. As of Monday, October 17, over 4,000 runners had registered for the marathon, quickly approaching last year's record total of 4,221. With three and a half weeks left to register, a total field of over 4,500 is expected by race day on Saturday, November 12. This is the seventh consecutive year that the marathon has set a new entry record.

The marathon's companion race, the NTELOS 8K, is also expected to boast a record field. With 3,100 already registered, past history indicates a race day field of at least 4,200 registrants, which would break the record of 4,037, set in 2003.

The SunTrust Richmond Marathon will be held on Saturday, November 12 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.

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

New course among the surprises for 8K participants. The NTELOS 8K will feature a new, more scenic course in 2005. The 4.97-mile run starts at 7th & Broad Streets, heads west to Davis Street, south to Hanover Avenue, east to Morris Avenue, south to Cary Street and then east to the finish line that it shares with the marathon at 10th & Cary Streets. NTELOS 8K participants will also want to keep their eyes open for the PUNCH surprise while out on the course. Devised and sponsored by Richmond-based creative firm PUNCH, the surprise promises to be something totally out of the ordinary.

Media credential requests due by November 2. Media wishing to enter the finish line area to cover the event on November 12 must complete the attached Credential Request form and fax it back by Wednesday, November 2. On site security will prohibit any media not wearing a credential from entering the finish line area.

Road closings on Race Day. As the field for the SunTrust Richmond Marathon has grown, so has the need for increased street closings to accommodate the thousands of participants. Attached is a list of street closings and detours that will be in effect on Race Day. The primary message that motorists should heed when traveling on race day is to travel by interstate whenever possible.

Richmondmarathon.com provides updated news. The best place for runners and the media to get updated news about the SunTrust Richmond Marathon, including traffic information and race day parking, is at richmondmarathon.com.

2005 SunTrust Richmond Marathon & NTELOS 8K Schedule









Thursday, November 10
4:00- 8:00 p.m. Health & Fitness Expo, Packet pick-up and walk- up registration at The Omni Hotel

Friday, November 11
11:00 a.m. - 9:00 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 12
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
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

For media seeking more information, please call Scott Schricker at 285-9495 or 218-9689 (mobile phone on Race Day).