Nike has announced the creation of Nike 26.2, a marathon and half marathon for women to be run in San Francisco on October 24, 2004. The event will benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Participants can train for the marathon through the Society's Team In Training(R), the world's largest sports endurance training program. This race will be an annual event and will be the first marathon in the United States for women runners and walkers of all ages.
Both the marathon and half marathon will start and finish on the Great Highway outside Golden Gate Park and will run through the city of San Francisco ending along Ocean Beach, allowing runners and walkers to enjoy both the city and the coast line during the race. Running legend Joan Benoit Samuelson and CSI Miami actress Emily Procter will serve as ambassadors for the Nike 26.2 Marathon.
“It is great to join Nike in celebrating another first in women's running. Women will love to run together in the beautiful host city of San Francisco,” said Benoit Samuelson.
“The Nike 26.2 exemplifies the trend of more and more people participating in marathons for a good cause,” said Greg Elfers, Senior Vice President, Campaign Development for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. “For the hundreds of thousands of patients and families battling leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, the fact that women from across the country are coming to San Francisco to help in the battle to cure these cancers sends a clear message of hope.”
Emily Procter, CSI actress and sports enthusiast is also looking forward to the race. “I am thrilled that Nike has invited me to be part of this event,” said Procter. “It's an honor to join this group of women who share a common purpose and to support an organization, whose work is so close to my heart.”
The Nike 26.2 marathon is inspired by the 20th anniversary of Joan Benoit Samuelson's historic win in 1984 in Los Angeles. Joan is currently training for the women's marathon trials on April 3 and hopes to qualify for the summer marathon in Athens.
The Nike 26.2 will be the culmination of a weekend celebration in October. Events and activities are expected to include a race expo at Union Square, featuring health and fitness features for active women. Guest speakers, as well as fitness classes for strength training, Pilates, natural medicine and meditation will be available for Expo attendees.
