byLarry EderA very astute event from Dave Zimmer and Fleet Feet-Chicago, for the Windy City! Registration is now open!
The Magnificent Mile® Chicago Women’s Half Marathon & 5K Is The First Running Event To Feature The Magnificent Mile as its Course Centerpiece.
Registration open for the August 31st event;
Special deals to be announced for participants.
(May 22, 2014…Chicago)… It’s not every day that Chicago’s The Magnificent Mile® closes to traffic but in a first-ever partnership, Fleet Feet Sports – Chicago, The Magnificent Mile® Association, the Chicago Sports Commission and Choose Chicago, with the cooperation of the City of Chicago, will do just that.
On the morning of August 31, 2014, The Magnificent Mile® Chicago Women’s Half Marathon & 5K ushers in a new era of running on Michigan Avenue.
Timed to coincide with the Labor Day holiday weekend and the culmination of The Magnificent Mile Shopping Festivalâ„¢ presented by MasterCard®, the Fleet Feet Signature Event is the first running event to feature the iconic Magnificent Mile as its course centerpiece according to Dave Zimmer, the President and CEO of Fleet Feet Sports – Chicago.
“This will be a fabulous fusion of fitness, fashion and fun,” predicted Zimmer, the driving force behind this citywide effort.
“Given that the Half Marathon is the fastest-growing and most popular race distance in the world right now, and that women make up a full 60% of its participants, the event will offer active women yet another reason to spend Labor Day weekend in downtown Chicago with family and friends.”
The event is expected to draw more than 10,000 women to celebrate the best Chicago has to offer with a discounted registration fee for the Fleet Feet Sports Signature Event available now until June 1 at http://www.
The event’s hotel partners are offering special rates for the event and shopping promotions, soon to be announced, will enhance the unique atmosphere for all participants. “The Magnificent Mile offers everything a runner could need or want – from nourishing and pampering before the race to celebrating after crossing the finish line,” said Mary Ann Rose, Chairman of The Magnificent Mile® Association.
“Additionally, these days women’s fitness apparel and footwear have become a staple of fashion and retail so it made sense for us to open up our premier shopping destination, and our world-class brand, to be the centerpiece of this event,” continued Rose.
John Chikow, President/CEO of The Magnificent Mile® Association, noted that “It’s not often the city shuts down those 13 blocks of prime real estate on The Magnificent Mile. It closes annually for The BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival®, it’s been done for the Oprah show kick-off in 2009 and perhaps a Presidential motorcade or two, but we are all convinced that this Women’s Half Marat
hon has what it takes to earn the privilege of shutting down the street.
“By creating tons of energy and driving travelers and traffic to this centerpiece of Chicago on the three-day weekend, we think The Magnificent Mile® Women’s Half Marathon & 5K will become a yearly tradition all its own.”
Participatory athletic events have proven to add value to a city’s tourism bottom line and to its national and international marketing outreach according to Kara Bachman, Interim Executive Director of the Chicago Sports Commission. “Women who train mile after mile for a half marathon will be rewarded by running one mile of their 13.1-mile challenge on the most magnificent mile in the world and celebrating their accomplishments on that same stretch of real estate at their choice of stores, restaurants or other entertainment venues leaving them with fantastic memories and a desire to run the race again.”
“Chicago’s visitor industry continues to embrace new and big ideas,” said Don Welsh, Choose Chicago President and CEO. “The Magnificent Mile Women’s Half Marathon & 5K course is the latest example of how Chicago is raising the bar and elevating itself in a fiercely competitive travel and tourism industry. I can’t think of a more unique opportunity to showcase our retail, culture, dining and entertainment offerings.
The announcement marks a change of date for the event, which has previously been held earlier in the summer. The 2014 running will be the third edition of the event.
