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Solstice tradition renamed 'Anchorage Mayor's Marathon & Half Marathon'

ATHLETICS UAA Media Relations

Solstice tradition renamed 'Anchorage Mayor's Marathon & Half Marathon'

ANCHORAGE – The University of Alaska Anchorage Department of Athletics and the Municipality of Anchorage are proud to announce that their annual marathon event has been renamed the Anchorage Mayor's Marathon & Half Marathon.

Entering its 43rd year, Alaska's famous Solstice run will take on the new name after being called the Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon & Half Marathon. Henceforth, the marathon will be referred to as the 'Midnight Sun Marathon,' while the half marathon will be named the 'Alaska Half Marathon.'

“The Mayor's Marathon has always been viewed as the premier marathon in both Anchorage and the state of Alaska,” said race director Michael Friess. “Therefore, it's prudent that we recognize our great city and all that it stands for in the official title of the event.”

“Calling it the 'Anchorage Mayor's Marathon and Half Marathon' promotes the race and the place,” added Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz.

In addition to the name change, runners can compete in the new 'Coastal 5K,' which will replace the 4-miler race, while the Midnight Sun Marathon Relay and Alaska Half Marathon Buddy Relay will continue in 2016. The longtime event will also move forward with the second year of the Healthy Futures Kid's Mile – a free race which takes place during the Alaska Health & Fitness Expo, two days prior to race day.

“We appreciate our partnership with the UAA Athletic department on the city's crown jewel of marathons and are proud to rename the Mayor's Marathon with the city's namesake, Anchorage Mayor's Marathon and Half Marathon,” added Anchorage Parks & Recreation Director John Rodda.

In celebrating its 42nd anniversary last month, the event featured over 4,000 participants from all 50 states and 24 countries.

To celebrate the renaming of the event, runners interested in partaking in any of the six events on June 18, 2016, will receive $5 off registration if they sign up in August. Online registration can be found at mayorsmarathon.com or anchoragemarathon.com.

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