Runner’s World Launches Marathon Challenge In Partnership With The SunTrust Richmond Marathon

Runner’s World will kick off its first-ever Marathon Challenge in partnership with the SunTrust Richmond Marathon.

Official word from Sportsbackers.org is as follows:

The Marathon Challenge, which is billed as a premium community-oriented program built around an exclusive 16-week training plan created by Chief Running Officer Bart Yasso, will be highlighted in Runner’s World Magazine and online at www.runnersworld.com/challenge through the November 14th SunTrust Richmond Marathon.

“Runner’s World recognized that the SunTrust Richmond Marathon is ‘America’s Friendliest Marathon,'” said race organizer Jon Lugbill. “And now they’re honoring us by putting their feet on our streets where they will benefit firsthand from our spirit groups and bands and enthusiastic crowds.”

Participants in the Runner’s World Marathon Challenge who would like to run the SunTrust Richmond Marathon on November 14, 2009 with the Runner’s World editors will pay $250 for a race entry as well as elite admission to the Runner’s World clubhouse–the central hub where marathon challengers will gather pre and post race, pick up their numbers and check their bags. They will also receive a well-earned post-race massage.

Fourteen Runner’s World editors, including Editor-in-Chief David Willey, Chief Running Officer Bart Yasso and Editor at Large Amby Burfoot, will make up the Marathon Challenge contingent headed for Richmond. They’ll also be training alongside participants by sharing their best tips on nutrition, injury-prevention, health issues and other essential training topics in the magazine and the website. Readers will be privy to videos, podcasts, and articles to help achieve their personalized training goals. RW editors will
also share their personal stories and experiences to help inspire and train participating runners for the SunTrust Richmond Marathon–coined one of the best marathons in the U.S. by Runner’s World.

Info at www.richmondmarathon.com

I’m already signed up for Richmond (along with my wife Ally), but I’m also intrigued by the “Train With Us, Race With Us” package. Not sure how this would work though as the deal includes a race entry fee which I’ve already paid. Maybe I’ll email the Sports Backers and see what they suggest? It would be cool to hang out with Bart Yasso for a while….