2,008 in 2008, Sign up now!!

The Missoula Marathon and its partner Southgate Mall are hoping to get 2,008 race participants to enter and cross the finish line in the 2008 races this July. As an incentive to achieve this goal and to encourage early registration, the first 2,008 racers to sign up for one of the Marathon events will be entered into a drawing for $2,008 in Southgate Mall Gift Cards. The first 2,008 people who enter the Missoula Marathon, Missoula Half Marathon, Marathon Relay or Missoula Kids Marathon are eligible for the drawing. All 2,008 names will be placed in a bowl and the winning name will be drawn at the awards ceremony on July 13th.

“Athletes have a tendency to wait until the last minute to register,” explained race director Jennifer Straughan, “and we’re very excited about reaching our goal of 2,008 participants this year, so we thought we’d give people extra motivation to register earlier than they would normally. All a person has to do in order to be in the drawing is be among the first 2,008 registrants in any of the races associated with the Missoula Marathon.”

Southgate Mall hosted the Southgate Mall Super Aid Station last year, but the course is altered this year to take advantage of the trees and shade in the residential areas. “This is a great way for Southgate Mall to show its support of the Missoula Marathon and its athletes,” said Tim Winger, general manager of Southgate Mall. “We’re glad to be part of the event and look forward to seeing the Missoula Marathon reach its goal of 2,008 participants. Plus we’ll still be doing our aid station, it just won’t be located at the Mall.”

The winner of the drawing can spend the gift cards at any of the Southgate Mall stores, which is over 100. For a complete list of Southgate Mall stores, log onto www.shopsouthgate.com.

Additionally, the price of the races goes up on June 1, so athletes who sign up early can avoid the increase by registering now. The Missoula Marathon fee goes from $60 to $70 on June 1st, and then $75 on July 12th at the pre-race Expo. The Missoula Half Marathon fee goes from $45 to $55 on June 1st, and $60 on July 12th.

Members of the Missoula Marathon Committee, Missoula Kids Marathon Committee, Run Wild Missoula Committee, Run Wild Missoula Board of Directors and their relatives are not eligible to win, and their names will be excluded from the drawing.

The winner’s name will be drawn on Sunday, July 13th during the awards ceremony at the Missoula Marathon. The winner does not have to be present to win. Chance of winning is 1 in 2,008.

back to www.missoulamarathon.org