American Record-holder Deena Kastor to Compete in 10th Anniversary of More Magazine/Fitness Magazine Women’s Half Marathon on Sunday, April 14
Kastor placed third in recent ASICS LA Marathon, only her second marathon since the birth of her daughter two years ago
NYRR Press Release
March 26, 2013
New York—American record-holder Deena Kastor, coming off a strong third-place finish recently at the ASICS LA Marathon, will compete in the 10th-anniversary running of the More Magazine/Fitness Magazine Women’s Half Marathon on Sunday, April 14, it was announced today by New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.
The country’s largest women-only half-marathon, which is open to women runners and walkers of all ages, takes participants on a 13.1-mile tour of scenic Central Park. The race attracts women from all 50 states and of every level, from first-time runners to elite athletes. Each year, the sold-out event provides thousands of women the opportunity to gather for competition, celebration, and camaraderie. The race champion will win $1,000 and receive “The Meyerhoff,” an award named in honor of 2010 champion and NYRR member Sally Meyerhoff, who died in a tragic cycling accident in March 2011.
“It is very special for us to have Deena Kastor here at the More Magazine/Fitness Magazine Women’s Half Marathon with the anniversary theme of ‘Women Run the World,’ celebrating women leaders who have changed the face of business, sports, education, and health,” said Wittenberg. “Deena is one of our country’s great athletes, and she continues to impress us all with her incredible talent, dedication, and passion for what she loves, which we appreciate and honor.”
Kastor, 40, of Mammoth Lakes, CA, is one of America’s greatest and most decorated distance runners of all time. She holds nine U.S. road running records ranging from five kilometers to the marathon, including a half-marathon mark of 1:07:34. Kastor was the 2004 Olympic bronze medalist in the marathon and is the only American woman ever to break 2:20:00 at that distance. She also holds two silver medals from the IAAF World Cross Country Championships.
“I am thrilled to participate in the More Magazine/Fitness Magazine Half-Marathon,” said Kastor. “It is an honor to celebrate our sport with so many women who have inspired me to continue competing as a 40-year-old mom.”
Alison Sweeney of The Biggest Loser and Mika Brzezinski of MSNBC’s Morning Joe will co-host the race and welcome 10,000 runners and spectators from around the world. In addition to hosting the event, both Sweeney and Brzezinski will be running the race for the first time. Joining them will beMore magazine editor-in-chief Lesley Jane Seymour and Fitness magazine editor-in-chief Betty Wong, who will help honor the 10th anniversary of the event with a special “Women Who Run the World” tribute, saluting 10 fearless game-changers who have paved the way for women over the last decade.
Athleta and Skechers are the presenting sponsors; Duane Reade, Oakley, and Tonalin are the official product sponsors; Hole in the Wall Gang, a nonprofit summer camp and year-round center serving children and their families coping with cancer, is the charitable partner; Crystal Light and CARE are the expo sponsors; CocoaVia is the sampling sponsor; and The Better Show is the official media partner.
Prior to the race, a two-day Health and Wellness Expo will be held at the Metropolitan Pavilion—located at 18th Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues—at which adults can enjoy a wealth of health-oriented activities including meet-and-greets with magazine editors and running experts, health screenings, fitness seminars, product sampling, shopping, sweepstakes, and more. The expo, which is free and open to the public, is also the location for race-number pickup for registered runners.
The half-marathon will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 14, on Central Park’s West Drive near 63rd Street. For more race details, please visit http://www.morefitnesshalf.com