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From: "USATF Communications" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: USATF News & Notes: January 7, 2002
Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2002 16:08:26 -0500
Contact: Tom Surber
Media Information Manager
USA Track & Field
(317) 261-0500 x317
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.usatf.org
USATF News & Notes
Volume 3, Number 2 January 7, 2002
Verizon new title sponsor for Millrose Games
As part of its sponsorship of USA Track & Field, Verizon has signed on as
the title sponsor of the Millrose Games, the world’s oldest and most
prestigious indoor track meet.
During the three-year sponsorship, the event will be named the Verizon
Millrose Games.
“The Millrose Games are the premiere indoor track and field event in the
world,” said Bruce Gordon, Verizon president for Retail Markets. “Our
sponsorship of this time-honored event reflects Verizon’s commitment to the
youth of our country and the communities where our customers live and work.
We are especially proud that we can be involved in such a quality event in
New York City, our headquarters city.”
The 2002 Verizon Millrose Games, which will be held Feb. 1, will be the 95th
edition of the longest-running sporting event in Madison Square Garden’s
history. Along with title sponsorship privileges, Verizon receives premium
on-camera signage, commercial inventory during the event’s national
broadcast, on-site hospitality, and the opportunity to sponsor the Verizon
Millrose Games Youth Clinic.
“We are thrilled that Verizon has agreed to title sponsor the oldest and
most important indoor track meet in the world and we look forward to having
them on board for this great event,” stated Mark Bingham, president of
Octagon Marketing N.A., which owns and manages the Millrose Games.
As part of its larger sponsorship of USATF, Verizon also sponsors the USA
vs. THE WORLD television broadcast, supports the Golden Spike Tour and U.S.
National Team, and works with USATF to develop ground-breaking Youth and
Junior programs.
After announcing its sponsorship of USA Track & Field last April, Verizon
sponsored the 2001 Verizon Youth Series, a set of youth track and field
events that comprise USA Track & Field’s junior development program, and
recently named University of Michigan freshman runner Alan Webb 2001 Verizon
Youth Athlete of the Year.
Throughout its 94-year history, the Millrose Games have featured some of
track and field’s greatest legends including Jesse Owens, Jackie-Joyner
Kersee, Carl Lewis, Gwen Torrence and Mary Decker-Slaney. The Millrose
Games features events in sprinting, hurdles, pole vault and high jump and
distance running, including the famed Wanamaker Mile.
For more information about the event, visit the Verizon Millrose Games Web
site at www.millrosegames.com
For the event, Verizon customers will receive a 10-percent discount off $25
and $35 seats. They should show a copy of their current bill at the Madison
Square Garden box office to take advantage of the discount.
Webb voted 2001 Top Men’s Prep Athlete
Middle-distance runner Alan Webb is the unanimous choice as Track & Field
News 2001 men’s High School Athlete of the Year. In November, Webb was named
Verizon Youth Athlete of the Year.
After compiling a season unmatched in U.S. track and field history, Webb
became the first unanimous choice for this award since Calvin Harrison in
1993.
In January, Webb ran 3 minutes, 59.86 seconds at the New Balance Games in
New York, becoming the first American prep miler ever to break the
four-minute barrier indoors. Just four months later, Webb ran 3:53.43 in the
Bowerman Mile at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, breaking the national
high school record of 3:55.3 set by Jim Ryun in 1966. Webb’s time was the
fastest mile by an American in 2001. He is now a freshman at the University
of Michigan.
Michelson & Martin set new records
Mary-Louise Michelsohn and Kathy Martin each set new world and U.S. indoor
masters records over the weekend at a meet in Brentwood on Long Island in
New York.
Michelsohn, 60, of Stony Brook, N.Y., set a new world and American record in
the 1,500 meters in the 60-64 age group. Michelsohn, who competes for the
Bohemia Track Club, ran 5:50.2.
Martin, 50, of Northport, N.Y., also set a new record in the 1,500m. Martin’
s 5:02.8 is the new world and American record in the 50-54 age group.
Martin, who competes for the Northport Running Club, has dual citizenship
with the United States and Canada.
Spring marathon slated for D.C.
For the first time in nearly two decades, a marathon will take place this
spring in the nation’s capitol.
The inaugural Washington D.C. Marathon on March 24 will take runners past
many of the city’s well-known monuments and museums, along with many other
parts of the city. The course includes views of the National Mall, Capitol
Hill, Dupont Circle, Chinatown and other parts of downtown Washington, D.C.
For more information on the event, visit: www.washingtondcmarathon.com.
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