USRA Half Marathon Series Announced

Winter Park, FL (August 25, 2009) – Winter Park, Florida based Reinke Sports Group has announced the inaugural USRA Half Marathon Running Series starting with the Columbia (SC) Half Marathon February 17, 2010. The USRA Series will focus on mid-to-small size markets without a major destination Half Marathon or Marathon and partner with the market’s Convention & Visitor’s Bureau and/or Sports Commission.

Additional USRA Half Marathon Series events in 2010 will include Bentonville AR (March 13), Lexington KY (March 28), Mt Pleasant/Racine WI (April 10), Council Bluffs IA (May 23) Worcester MA (June 6), Joplin MO (October 10), Lafayette, IN (Purdue Half Marathon – October 24), Lancaster, PA (October 31) and Clarksville, TN (November 6). This past June, Reinke Sports Group created the Council Bluffs Half Marathon in partnership with the CVB and Chamber of Commerce and attracted some 1200 participants, one of the largest ever first time events in the Council Bluffs/Omaha market. That inspired the upcoming November 7 Clarksville Half Marathon in Tennessee where some 1500 participants are projected.

In addition to the feature Half Marathon, each USRA Series event also includes a 5K and Fun Run. Other standard amenities include a Tech Running Shirt and Commemorative Finisher’s Medal to all Half Marathoners, Pre-Race Runner’s Expo, Live Course entertainment and a Post Race Party. A few more markets are being considered for 2010 as numerous cities have inquired about hosting a USRA Series event which organizers project could grow by a few cities in 2010 and expand to 20-25 markets within 3 years.

“The Council Bluffs Half Marathon exceeded all expectations in its first year with 16 states and 1 foreign country represented and we are enthusiastic about the event expanding and becoming an annual tradition”, said Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce President Bob Mundt.

Reinke Sports Group is owned by former Brooks Shoe Company executive Dean Reinke, a South Bend, Indiana native and former Indiana University miler (4:02). The USRA was actually established some 20 years ago when Reinke created the ICI/USRA Masters Running Circuit when American Legends Bill Rodgers and Frank Shorter turned “40”. Reinke has also been instrumental in consulting with, creating and/or managing a number of popular running events including the Columbus (OH) Marathon, Virginia Beach Shamrock Marathon/8K, Sportsmed 10K, Buffalo Marathon, Baltimore Marathon, Charlotte Observer Marathon and Ben Gay/Active America Day. Reinke Sports Group is a Sports Marketing/Sponsorship Sales company and also represents and/or has represented a variety of clients including BEST Experiential Sports Properties’ Hoop-it-Up, Kick-It 3v3 Soccer and Let-it-Fly Flag Football Tours; EVP Beach Volleyball, Sports Publishing, Soles4Souls and Disson/Furst Partners.

For more information about the USRA Half Marathon Series and the upcoming Clarksville Half Marathon contact www.ClarksvilleHalfMarathon.com or Reinke Sports Group at (407) 599-0568.

Dean Reinke-President
1531 Dale Ave.
Winter Park, FL 32789
O: 407-599-0568 / Fx: 407-599-9766 / Cell: 407-310-6373
dreinkesports@msn.com