Top U.S. Marathoner, Olympian and Coloradan Alan Culpepper to Compete at 2008 Rocky Mountain Half Marathon

Business Wire, May 6, 2008

Two-Time American Olympian Training for Third Olympics

DENVER -- The Rocky Mountain Half Marathon is honored to welcome world-renowned elite running athlete and local phenomenon Alan Culpepper to run its half marathon event scheduled for Sunday, June 8, 2008. Double the runners from 2007 are expected to take to the streets of Denver's Riverfront Park for the fourth annual 2008 Rocky Mountain Half Marathon[TM] and McDonald's Women's 8K. The half marathon will begin at 7:30 a.m. and the women's 8K will begin at 8:15 a.m.

Elite athlete Alan Culpepper is a two-time Olympian who competed in 2000 in the 10K event in Sydney and placed 12th in the marathon event in 2004 in Athens. His running career highlights include earning titles as the 2004 Olympic Trials marathon champion, 2002 U.S. 5,000m champion, 1999 and 2003 U.S. 10,000m champion, 1996 NCAA Outdoor 5,000m champion and 1999 and 2003 U.S. 12km cross country champion. Alan currently has a personal marathon best of 2:09:41 and also holds the Colorado record for the half marathon on a qualifying course set at the 2006 Denver Marathon at 1:04:52.

Culpepper, a Lafayette, Colo. resident and University of Colorado graduate, is preparing for the 10,000m event in the 2008 Olympic trials to be held in Eugene, Ore., which will serve as the qualifying event for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Culpepper carefully selects less than ten events to run each year choosing to focus on his training and build up his longevity for each event.

"The Rocky Mountain Half Marathon will only be the fourth half-marathon I've ever run. The event was an obvious decision because of the variety of the course, the experience of the management producing the event and the ability to run in my home state," said Culpepper. "As a marathon runner and a Colorado resident, I am excited to run in a professional running event that presents incredible opportunities for all runners."

Rocky Mountain Half Marathon Details

Produced by Experience Sports, owners and organizers of the Denver Marathon, with consultation from world renown Race Director Dave McGillivray, offers runners of all speeds and abilities a beautiful course and new highlights that will significantly enhance overall running experience:

* Advanced electronic timing by IPICO which will provide easy and more accurate time tracking and allow for wave starts giving runners plenty of "breathing room" to run with no chip return at the finish line

* A festival-like race day expo that will include food and beverage sampling from Denver's top restaurants, entertainment and kids activities

* A world-class, professional start/finish line

The half marathon and the women's 8K race begin and end at downtown Denver's Riverfront Park. The half marathon takes runners past several of the city's signature tourist attractions, including Larimer Square, Coors Field, Invesco Field, Denver's Performing Arts Complex, Six Flags Elitch Gardens as well as provides breathtaking views of the city and mountains from Sloan's Lake (around which the half marathon proceeds near the end of the course). For a course map, please go to www.rockymountainhalf.com.

Rocky Mountain Half Marathon registration fees are: Standard Entry (March 1st - June 5th), $65; Walk-up Entry at packet pick-up (if available) Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Riverfront Park, 1610 Little Raven, $75. No race day registration is available, however, packet pick-up is available race day, June 8, 5:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.

McDonald's Women's 8K registration fees are: Standard Entry (March 1st - June 5th), $35; Walk-up Entry at packet pick-up (if available), Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Riverfront Park, 1610 Little Raven, $40. No race day registration is available, however, packet pick-up is available race day, June 8, 5:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. Runners can register online for the Rocky Mountain Half Marathon and McDonald's Women's 8K at www.rockymountainhalf.com.

"Our team has worked hard to build a memorable race experience for runners and spectators," said Race Director John Oliva. "With the new management team and enhanced race offerings this year, we promise runners an incredible racing experience at this year's event."

The Rocky Mountain Half is proud to also announce this year's sponsors including Riverfront Park, McDonald's, Saucony, Boulder Running Company, U.S. Marines, CBS4, Rocky Mountain Sports Magazine, and Mile High Sports Magazine.

A select number of runners will race on behalf of Big Brothers and Big Sisters, www.biglittlecolorado.org, the Official Charity of the Rocky Mountain Half Marathon and the oldest, largest, most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States. Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking for a select number of runners to raise funds and run on behalf of local children who need a Big Brother or Big Sister in Denver. For more information, please email charity@denvermarathon.com.

Parking is suggested at free meters in LoDo on Wynkoop, Wazee and Platte Streets.

Partial street closures throughout the city of Denver are anticipated between 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. during race day on a rolling closure schedule. Streets affected include the areas of: Riverfront Park (streets open to residents only) and Downtown on 15th Street through the Denver Pavilions, around Invesco Field and on 17th Street west of Invesco Field.