2012 Boston Marathon Runs on EarthLink’s Data Center Platform
EarthLink announced that the 2012 Boston Marathon will once again run the event via data center services provided by EarthLink. With nearly 27,000 participants from across the globe, the Boston Marathon is among the most data-driven sporting events in the country.
As the Boston Marathon’s longtime, official data center provider, EarthLink provides the reliable, secure infrastructure that enables the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) to seamlessly manage this iconic event online. EarthLink Businesshosts the B.A.A.’s website, on which all participants for the Boston Marathon, as well as other B.A.A. races, must register online. The runners’ stats and registration information is stored securely in the cloud at EarthLink’s data center in nearby Marlborough. Data can be easily accessed in real-time by B.A.A event organizers, runners, spectators and worldwide media. The Marathon also attracts 500,000 spectators each year, making it New England’s most widely viewed sporting event.
“With thousands of runners and hundreds of thousands of spectators, access to data is critical to allowing us to track all of our runners and manage all of the information flow required to support this event,” said T.K. Skenderian, Marketing and Sponsorship Manager, Boston Athletic Association. “Thanks to EarthLink, our event organizers and 26,895 participating runners know they have safe and convenient access to a high-performance website that has the information they need both before and on race day.” Read more
Sports Medicine Experts Offer Tips to Help Post-Marathon Recovery
More than 40,000 runners have spent the past several months training for the ING New York City Marathon. Once they have completed the race and achieved their goals, there are measures they can take to facilitate recovery, decrease post-race discomfort and return to running without injury.
Eating immediately after the marathon, icing sore muscles, and having a gentle massage are only a few of the tips that Michael Silverman, PT, MSPT, physical therapist from the Rehabilitation Department at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, offers runners who cross the finish line.
“In recovery, marathon runners need to listen carefully to their bodies so they don’t injure themselves,” says Silverman. “Extensive training should have provided runners with a good idea of how their body works. Runners should take everything they’ve learned while training and apply it to taking proper care of their body after the marathon — they will feel better, faster.”
The following are marathon recovery tips from Silverman on ways to bounce back from a marathon: Read more
The Dodge Brand Races to the Dodge Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon & 1/2 Marathon
The Dodge brand is lacing up its running shoes and heading to the starting line for the 2011 Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon season.
The brand kicks off its first marathon as the title sponsor and official automotive sponsor for the Dodge Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon & 1/2 Marathon To Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society starting Friday, June 3 – Sunday, June 5. The Dodge brand serves as the official automotive sponsor for the entire Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon series and the title sponsor for races in San Diego (June 3-5), Seattle (June 23-25), Virginia Beach (Sept. 2-4), San Jose (Sept. 30-Oct. 2), Los Angeles (Oct. 28-30) and Miami Beach (Dec. 9-11).
“The Dodge brand is defined by passion, both for our products, as well as for enjoying life and living it to its fullest,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – Dodge Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “The dedication it takes to train and ultimately participate in a marathon reflects the type of passion that comprises our own brand values. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series is an excellent opportunity to expose all of our new Dodge products to the more than 1 million people who are somehow involved in or touched by the series.”
“Through their involvement with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, Dodge has created a leadership role with their dedication and commitment to the active lifestyle movement, and we are delighted to be their partner helping them deliver a world-class experience to consumers,” said Scott Dickey, President of Competitor Group, Inc., which owns and operates the marathon. “With the popularity of the half marathon, added last year, and a revamped finish line festival at SeaWorld, we are excited to continue the momentum in 2011 as San Diego’s largest sporting event.” Read more
FA Cup Semi Finals at Wembley: Saturday Sunday 16 17 April
Virgin Trains is urgently working with clubs involved in the FA Cup semi finals over the weekend of 16/17 April to ensure thousands of supporters can travel to and from London quickly and safely.
Virgin Trains has already confirmed five charter trains and is advising clubs on how to charter further trains from other companies. Supporters are recommended to get in touch with their respective travel clubs to find out details of charters that are either confirmed or are being planned.
Chris Gibb, Virgin Trains’ Chief Operating Officer said today: “Moving large numbers of people after any big evening sporting event poses particular challenges for the rail industry especially coming together as the same weekend as the London Marathon and another large football match. The use of charter trains brings as much capacity as possible into use, means fans can have confidence in their travel arrangements and clubs are able to look after their supporters.”
Those not travelling by charter services will still be able to travel by Virgin Trains to both matches with extra trains planned from Euston after both the Saturday and Sunday matches. Clearly, however, with each Pendolino train capable of carrying a maximum of 439 seated passengers, but with a crowd of around 80,000 expected for both matches, supporters are being encouraged to make use of charter services organised through their respective clubs.
Details of additional trains will be available on http://www.nationalrail.co.uk as soon as timings have been confirmed with Network Rail.
Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year: Lukas Verzbicas
Current American Mile Record-Holder and Former Gatorade National Athlete of the Year Alan Webb Surprises Standout with Elite Honor
In its 26th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPN RISE, today announced Lukas Verzbicas of Carl Sandburg High School (Orland Park, Ill.) as its 2010-11 Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year. Also the 2009-10 Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year, Verzbicas was surprised with the news this morning by professional distance runner Alan Webb, the 2005 U.S. National Champion in the 1,500-meter run, who earned Gatorade National Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year honors in 2000-01.
“When I received the award in 2001, it was such a pivotal moment for me as an athlete. I’m grateful to be a part of this moment for Lukas, who is truly a phenomenal student-athlete on and off the racecourse,” said Webb, who shattered one of competitive running’s most storied records by setting the American prep mark with a 3:53.43 mile as a high school senior, eclipsing the great Jim Ryun. ”Gatorade has been on the sidelines fueling athletic performance for years, so to be recognized by a brand that understands the game and truly helps athletes perform is a huge honor for these kids.”
The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the racecourse, distinguishes Verzbicas as the nation’s best high school boys cross country runner. A national advisory panel comprised of sport-specific experts and sports journalists helped select Verzbicas from nearly 240,000 boys cross country runners nationwide. Verzbicas is now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade Male High School Athlete of the Year award, to be presented at a special ceremony prior to The ESPY Awards in July. Read more
The Dodge Brand Continues Rock n Roll Marathon Partnership for 2011 Season
The Dodge brand announced it is keeping its performance running shoes on in 2011, continuing its partnership with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series as the “Official Automotive Partner” and “Official Vehicle” of this year’s races.
Dodge also will serve as title sponsor of six marathons in 2011, including races in San Diego, Seattle, Virginia Beach, San Jose, Los Angeles and Miami Beach.
The 2011 marathon series kicks off with Dodge’s participation in the P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon and 1/2 Marathon’ in Phoenix Jan. 14-16.
“The Dodge brand is defined by passion, both for our products, as well as for enjoying life and living it to its fullest,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – Dodge Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “The dedication it takes to train and ultimately participate in a marathon reflects the type of passion that comprises our own brand values. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series is an excellent opportunity to expose all of our new Dodge products to the more than 1 million people who are somehow involved in or touched by the series.”
To give runners and their supporters a chance to experience the Dodge brand’s new performance mantra first hand, Dodge is bringing a slew of new products, including the all-new 2011 Dodge Charger and Durango, as well as the significantly refreshed 2011 Dodge Journey, Grand Caravan and Avenger, for test drives during the marathon weekends. Those who take a test drive also will get a chance to donate to charity. For each test drive taken, the brand will donate $20 to one of following three charities chosen by the participants: Read more
Jamaican Sprint Superhero Usain Bolt Visits The Legendary Maranello
Jamaican sprint superhero, world record holder and Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt took a break from his training to visit the Ferrari headquarters in Maranello, Italy and experience a different kind of speed.
The World’s Fastest Man, who was at the San Siro in Milan yesterday to see the Inter-Milan football squad, has a long-standing admiration for high performance sports cars, and was clearly delighted to test some of the legendary cars of Ferrari current range.
Bolt is in Italy promoting his new PUMA collection, and took time out to visit the Ferrari headquarters in Maranello. Following a tour of the factory, he got behind the wheel of a 458 Italia and 599 GTB Fiorano.
“Taking laps in the Fiorano track was a thrill. It’s the first time I’ve had a chance to drive a Ferrari on track and it’s a dream come true,” said Usain Bolt when he had finished. ”I thought I was fast; but, these incredible cars give the word fast a new meaning. You have to respect these machines. Being here at Ferrari headquarters is a memorable experience; there’s so much history here. I’m looking forward to getting one of these cars to give me my fix for speed.”
The PUMA BOLT Collection, which Bolt wore during his trip to Maranello, features a range of apparel, footwear and accessories that the sprinter helped develop which include graphic elements representative of Bolt and his beloved Jamaica. The collection, launched in Autumn- Winter 2010, will expand in seasons to come.
PUMA, which sponsors both Usain Bolt and Ferrari, was thrilled to see two of its biggest assets in the world of sport come together. ‘Who Faster’ is one of the headline graphics of the PUMA BOLT collection and a very relevant question for this quite extraordinary occasion.