The Second Annual Nike Women's Marathon Sells Out With More Than 15,000 Runners Participating

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 24  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today, Nike announced the 2nd annual Nike Women's Marathon is sold out! 15,000 women across the globe have registered for this highly anticipated event which will take place on October 23, 2005 in San Francisco. This year marks the second year for the event -- which is quickly becoming the premier women's running event on the calendar.

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Last year's inaugural race sold out a few weeks before race day, attracted more than 9,000 participants and raised more than $10 million for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS).  With an additional sixty percent of accepted race registrants (8,000 more runners), the 2005 Nike Women's Marathon sold out approximately seven weeks earlier and attracted over 15,000 participants from 17 different countries and 50 different states.

"The Nike Women's Marathon is truly a unique event that brings women of all ages together to participate in a race designed just for them," said Brian O'Connor, Nike Brand Manager for Running.  "The fact that the race sold out in record time with 99 percent of the participants being women underscores that women are looking for a race designed for them. Tiffany necklaces, the chocolate mile and a runners' "coat check" are just a few of the unique elements of the Nike Women's Marathon that contribute to the popularity of this race. We are excited to see the streets of San Francisco filled with women accomplishing not only the 26.2 miles of the marathon, but raising millions of dollars for LLS, which is an incredible feat."

Nike is unveiling a new race course for the Nike Women's Marathon this year, making it a flatter and faster 26.2 mile tour of San Francisco. The race will start in Union Square and run along the San Francisco Bay with scenic views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge, ushering runners down the Great Highway as they cross the finish line.  Along the course, runners will be offered support to keep them motivated, including a coat check to stash unwanted clothes, the Chocolate Mile -- a mile of chocolate goodies from Ghirardelli -- and a pedi-care station. All race finishers will receive an official 2005 Finisher Necklace designed by Tiffany & Co.(R) and a Nike Dri-FIT performance top.

Race participants can train for the marathon through the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team In Training(R), the world's largest sports endurance training program, or local participants can join Nike Club Run SF, Nike's free innovative and comprehensive training series.

The Nike Women's Marathon was inspired by the 20th anniversary of Joan Benoit Samuelson's historic gold medal win in the first all-women's marathon at the 1984 Olympics. Joan ran the Nike Half-Marathon in October 2004.  The Nike Women's Marathon continues this inspiration encouraging all women to participate in this premier race.

"It is great to see so many women running and celebrating the uniqueness of the Nike Women's Marathon," said Benoit Samuelson.  The strength, determination and commitment these women demonstrate is motivational and inspirational to anyone who wants to accomplish a goal of completing a marathon."

The Nike Women's Marathon will be an all-weekend celebration.  Activities will include a race expo at Union Square featuring health and fitness consultations and demonstrations, as well as complimentary spa services. After the race, finishers will be able to enjoy a post-race concert.

To register with Team in Training, log onto http://www.teamintraining.org/nikewm or call 1-800-482-TEAM.  Runners and walkers are also invited to register to run the race on their own at http://www.nikemarathon.com/ .

About Nike

Nike, Inc. based in Beaverton, Oregon is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned Nike subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Bauer NIKE Hockey Inc., a leading designer and distributor of hockey equipment; Cole Haan(R), which designs, markets, and distributes fine dress and casual shoes and accessories; and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories.

About Team In Training

Team In Training is the world's largest endurance sports training program. The program provides training to run or walk a whole or half marathon or participate in a triathlon or century (100-mile) bike ride. Participants raise funds for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma research and patient services in exchange for training, support, and lodging and airfare to the event of their choice. Since TNT's inception, more than 200,000 participants have raised more than $470 million.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society(R), headquartered in White Plains, NY, is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The Society's mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has provided more than $360 million for research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, the Society made more than 441,000 patient contacts through services provided at its home office and by its 63 chapters nationwide. 

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DATASOURCE: Nike, Inc.



CONTACT:  Trisha Burns of Nike Media Relations, [phone], or





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