Contact: Dan Finanger
Executive Director
612-925-3500, Ext. 12
Jackie Liu
Media & Public Relations Manager
612-925-3500, Ext. 13
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TWIN CITIES MARATHON WHEELER FIELD LARGEST EVER
Wheeler Bob Bardwell to compete in his 100th marathon at 2002 TCM
Minneapolis, Minnesota – September 3, 2002 – Former Men’s Wheelchair
Division Champion Bob Bardwell, participating in his 100th marathon, heads
a talented field of 35 wheelers in the 2002 Twin Cities Marathon (TCM)
Sunday, September 29 beginning in downtown Minneapolis and finishing at the
Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul.
Bardwell, who finished 12th in 2001, was the TCM champion in 1986, 1987 and
1988. Also in this year’s Men’s division is Krige Schabort, former TCM
Men’s Wheelchair Champion and 1998 World Champion in the 10,000 meters; and
former New York City Marathon and Marine Corps Marathon Champion Kamel
Ayari.
Women’s Wheelchair Division entrants include six-time Boston Marathon
Champion Candace Cable and former TCM Women’s Wheelchair Champion Tammy
Oothoudt, who won the race each year from 1991-1995 and in 2000.
New to this year’s race is an added $500.00 award to any racer breaking the
male and female course records, according to Doug Krohn, Wheeler recruiter
for this year’s TCM. The course record for men is 1:35:03. The course
record for women is 1:54:50.
Also for the second year, TCM is inviting Hand-Cranked participants to
enter as an exhibition. "This gives wheelers an opportunity to do the
marathon as a non-competitor, but still able to enjoy the course," Krohn
said.
Northwest Airlines is the official sponsor and purse provider for the 2002
TCM Wheelchair division. Prizes in the men’s and women’s divisions are
$2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second, $500 for third and $250 for
fourth.
The 2002 TCM weekend is September 27-29. TCM will host the 2002 USA Men’s,
Women’s and Masters Marathon Championships. The three-day weekend
celebration of fitness includes a 5K fun run/walk, children’s fun runs, a
pasta dinner, a two-day health and fitness expo, and a 10-mile race in
addition to the marathon. Major corporate sponsors for the marathon are
Cub Foods, Calhoun Beach Club and Seagate Technology. The major media
sponsors are KARE 11 and Cities 97. Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. is a
non-profit organization that directs the TCM weekend as a community service
for the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Visit us at www.twincitiesmarathon.org.
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