More Great News for LFM Runners!

First - I understand that some of you have had trouble with the link to our hotel block at the Hyatt. We are correcting it on our site but here is the correct one...

https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=85019

Now that we have that straight...If you have already registered for the race, great for you! 2009 will be a great marathon year here in Milwaukee. If you have not registered, there IS still time but know that we are filling somewhat faster than 2008 when we sold out the first week of June. At this rate, we will sell out in May. Remember that registration totals are posted on our web site so you can always see where we are with the limit. I do need to emphasize that the last 500 spaces go VERY quickly. If you are sure that you want to run in 2009, don't wait too long.

In terms of our 2009 race plans, I have already posted information about our new pace teams - you asked for pace teams and we have found a way to provide it without taking our attention from the important elements of the race.

Over the years many of our runners have used LFM to raise money for a variety of charities. In support of these efforts, in 2008 we set up our Charity Page in the "Pre-Race" tab on the LFM website. This allows you to tell everyone about your fund raising and the charities that you will support with your run - also what that charity means to you. We will continue with our charity page in 2009 and hope that you let us all know about your fund raising plans.

As an extension of our charity support, I am now very happy to announce a partnership with the American Cancer Society (ACS) for 2009. We have designated them as an official LFM charity and encourage you to review the information about their program that is posted on the Charity Page. If you are interested in more information about this program, I encourage you to contact Amber Flanagan at amber.flanagan@cancer.org.

A key part of this new relationship will be the LFM/American Cancer Society Pasta Dinner - yep - a pasta dinner! Many of you know that we have not provided this in the past due to limitations on managerial and volunteer resources. A pasta dinner is an established part of the ACS charity program and they have agreed to open the dinner to ALL runners and their families and friends. We will provide details on location, cost and ticket purchase as ACS finalizes the details.

We hope that you are as excited as we are with the debut of pace teams and the pasta dinner - we are listening to you!

Stay tuned for more exciting details on 2009 race plans and on special planning already underway for our 30th anniversary in 2010.

As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions concerning the race.