NEW MANAGEMENT PARTNERS/HOST HOTEL FOR SACRAMENTO MARATHON

The Sacramento Marathon has named a new management team and a new host hotel for 2003 event, Oct. 5, 2003

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Nearly three decades since its debut, the Sacramento Marathon continues to offer long-distance runners an event true to its motto: "The Fast, Flat and Friendly Place To Run."

But the marathon is now also pleased to announce a new management team, an expanded event schedule and a new host hotel.

The new management team is led by John MacLachlan of Incline Village, Nev., president of the Sacramento Marathon and CEO of Racewalking International, Inc. (RWI); and Paul Smith of Sacramento, Calif., vice president of marketing for the Sacramento Marathon and a long-time racewalking and fitness enthusiast.

The two long-time businessmen and sports entrepreneurs comprise RWI Sports Management Group.

The 28th annual Sacramento Marathon, with the Downtown Holiday Inn as its newly appointed host hotel, is scheduled at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 5, 2003 at William Land Park. The park is located near Freeport Blvd. and Sutterville Rd. across from Sacramento City College.

The Sturgeon Family, led by long-time Sacramento Marathon race director Ron Sturgeon, will remain with the marathon as management consultants.

As per its longstanding tradition, the Sacramento Marathon will begin and end in William Land Park. In addition to its usual marathon and half-marathon running and walking options, a four-person marathon relay division for runners and walkers will debut.

Approximately six miles of the USA Track & Field certified marathon course will be inside William Land Park. The course follows the Sacramento River north to Old Town. The route is an out-and-back course that will be repeated by the marathon runners and walkers. The course is flat and mostly in the shade.

Various registration options are available via entry forms in many Northern California running stores. Online registration is available via Active.com (http://www.active.com). There is no race-day registration.

A newly designed T-shirt, a full-range of age-group awards and random prizes will be awarded to runners and walkers.

The addition of the Downtown Sacramento Holiday Inn as the marathon's host facility gives the event an ideally located hotel for all competitors. Race registration, packet pick-up and the marathon's expo will all be located at the Downtown Holiday Inn.

A special room rate has been secured for participants as well as for friends and families of those competing in Sacramento Marathon events. The hotel is located on Capital Plaza, 300 J Street, Sacramento, CA.. Tel. 916-446-0100 or 800-465-4329. (Mention the code 1MSM) for additional reservation information.

The Sacramento Marathon will also benefit Ronald McDonald House and Shriners Hospital For Children, both located in Sacramento.

For additional information, contact John MacLachlan or Paul Smith, c/o RWI Sports Management Group, 745 Kelly Drive, Incline Village, NV 89451. Tel. 916-300-4331, Fax 775-833-2122, e-mail: sacramentomarathon@sbcglobal.net.

The marathon's web site: http://www.sacramentomarathon.net.