NEWS RELEASE

Anchorage, Alaska (August 28, 2003)

WORLD MOUNTAIN RUNNING TROPHY ENCOURAGES YOUTH TO PARTICIPATE

Alaska will make history as the host of the 19th World Mountain Running Trophy (WMRT) Sept. 19 - 21, 2003. Avid mountain runner and director of WMRT, Brad Precosky, believes the event is an ideal opportunity to foster a new level of participation in this rapidly growing sport, in particular for youth.

"We are thrilled to bring the most prominent mountain running event ever held in the United States to Alaska. Prestigious events such as this are instrumental in encouraging young people to become more active and choose healthy outdoor lifestyles," Precosky said.

The Local Organizing Committee is incorporating a Healthy Futures Youth Jamboree to kick off running events on the first day of competition. The 1-mile fun run will be open to kids from first through sixth grade. The Jamboree begins the 2003-2004 Healthy Futures program that includes a series of youth and family oriented fun run events aimed at educating youth and parents about the importance of physical activity as a life-style choice.

"Studies show compelling evidence that both mental and physical health improve with increased physical activity. We want a healthy future for our community and must assist our youth in developing habits of regular physical activity," said Bonnie Sosa, program coordinator of Healthy Futures.

Precosky is committed to promoting youth participation in the sport of mountain running as well as at the World Mountain Running Trophy.

"This will be the second year the United States will send a junior team to participate in the World Trophy," Precosky said.

The WMRT junior events are open to qualifying runners under the age of 20. Rory Egelus from Palmer, Alaska has been selected to the 2003 Teva USA Mountain Running Junior Men's Team.

"The 2003 World Mountain Running Trophy is a chance to compete against the world's best mountain runners on home turf. Having an Alaskan make the U.S. team gives us a home-town favorite to cheer for in September," says Precosky. "Egelus is an incredible runner in the mountains and will excel in the junior race. He has been focusing on making the team for the last year, and is training hard for Alyeska. His time on Bird Ridge (similar slope as Alyeska but about 1,500 feet higher in gain) was excellent at 43 minutes," says Precosky.

Egelus also took first place in the recent Mt. Marathon Junior Race with a time of 27:14 - almost a minute faster than his winning 2002 time of 28:13 and three minutes ahead of second place finisher Aaron Dickson, the 2002 Alaska state cross-country running champ.

WMRT Schedule of Events and course information:

Junior Women's Race
Start: Saturday, Sept. 20, 2003, at 11:30 a.m.
Distance: 4.2 kilometers
Elevation: High 310 meters, Low 85 meters
Accumulative gain/loss: 285 meters

Junior Men's Race
Start: Saturday, Sept. 20, 2003, at 1 p.m.
Distance: 7.7 kilometers
Elevation: High 680 meters, Low 85 meters
Accumulative gain/loss: 600 meters

Senior Women's Race
Start: Saturday, Sept. 20, 2003, at 2:30 p.m.
Distance: 7.7 kilometers
Elevation: High 680 meters, Low 85 meters
Accumulative gain/loss: 600 meters

Senior Men's Race
Start: Sunday, Sept. 21, 2003, at 11:30 a.m.
Distance: 11.48 kilometers
Elevation: High 680 meters, Low 85 meters
Accumulative gain/loss: 900 meters

Citizen/Open Races
Everyone interested in mountain running is invited to participate. For more information about the WMRT, participating or volunteering, visit www.wmrt2003.org.

The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau's mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage. ACVB's marketing functions are funded by half of the bed tax collected by hotels. The other half goes to the Municipality's general fund. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. For more information, explore www.anchorage.net.

CONTACT:

Allison Knox
CIRI Alaska Tourism
263-5194
aknox@ciri.com

Erika Biringer
Public Relations Manager
257-2331
ebiringer@anchorage.net