Lakefront Marathon Race Director wins major award
MILWAUKEE (March 8, 2010) – Kristine Hinrichs, race director of the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon, will be honored March 19 as one of the area’s Women Putting Their Stamp on Metro Milwaukee.
The award is presented by the United States Postal Service in commemoration of Women’s History Month.
Hinrichs will be recognized in the Sports category. She joins 14 other women selected for the prestigious honor, now in its 12th year. Recipients are named by the USPS’s Learning, Development and Diversity Center after being nominated by members of the general public. The presentations will be made at a luncheon at the Italian Community Center, located at 631 E. Chicago Street in Milwaukee.
Hinrichs has served as race director since 2000, overseeing tremendous growth in the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon. During her tenure, the race has grown from just under 1,100 participants to a sold-out field of 2,750 runners in the full 26.2-mile individual event and 90 three-person teams in the 26.2-mile relay. The marathon has become an important part of the metro Milwaukee area’s economy. Using responses to a runner survey and a standard multiplier formula, the 2008 race introduced $3.2 million to the local economy.
The award for Hinrichs comes on the heels of recognition for the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon from the Road Runners Club of America. In 2008, the RRCA named the marathon its Race of the Year. This October, when the marathon marks its 30th anniversary, it will serve as the RRCA’s National Marathon Championship.
The Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon is staged by the Badgerland Striders running club.
Those being honored alongside Hinrichs include:
- Abilities Awareness – Leslie Myers, Independence First, Disability Abuse Response Team Leader.
- Arts or Entertainment – Azeeza Islam, Milwaukee Public Theatre, Associate Artistic Director.
- Business – Diane Chamness, Chamness Group, President.
- Diversity Champion – Kathryn Dunn, Helen Bader Foundation, Inc., Community Investment Officer.
- Education – Mary Diez, Alverno College, Graduate Dean.
- Government Service or Law – Sharon Robinson, City of Milwaukee, Director of the Department of Administration.
- Growing Leadership – Kristina Finnel, Mental Health America of WI, Director of Programs.
- Health or Social Services – Kathy Schneider, Greater Milwaukee Free Clinic, Executive Director.
- Humanitarianism –Lisa Calderone-Stewart, Tomorrow’s Present, Youth Leadership Director.
- Media – Colleen Henry, WISN-TV, Investigative Reporter.
- Postal Service – Doralyn Wilson, USPS, Operations Support Manager; and Karen Matulis, USPS, Maintenance Support Clerk.
- Volunteerism – Bonnie Anderson, Milwaukee Catholic Home, Adult Day Program Manager.
- Youth Achievement – Blanca Sierra, Dominican High School, Student.
About Milwaukee’s Lakefront Marathon
The 30th annual Lakefront Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, October 3, 2010 in Milwaukee. The race is the premiere event of the Badgerland Striders running club, and annually fills hotels, restaurants and the streets of Milwaukee's North Shore each October. Each year, over 3,000 marathon and relay runners come to Milwaukee’s Lakefront for its runner friendly atmosphere. For more information, visit http://www.milwaukeelakefrontmarathon.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Matt Braun, 414-975-8831, mbraun@branigan.biz
Kris Hinrichs, 414-331-0890, khinrichs@sbcglobal.net
Milwaukee's Lakefront Marathon hits capacity at record pace
MILWAUKEE (May 27, 2009) – The Lakefront Marathon continues to be the hot ticket in Milwaukee.
For the fifth consecutive year, the race has reached capacity on May 21, over five months before the October event. Each year, the race has progressively filled faster, but the pace in 2009 filled faster than ever, a full three weeks faster than the 2008. The record turnout is a trend seen across the running community of racing being recession proof.
Race officials believe a number of items contribute to the event’s continued popularity. “Certainly marathons, half marathons and other races are very popular today, even as the economy recovers,” said Kris Hinrichs, race director. “But Milwaukee is a special place to run and people come back every year for our fast course and great volunteers that make this event what it is today.”
Hinrichs notes that although the number participants did expand in 2008, the race leaders do not have any intentions of making the field much larger. “Unlike the big city marathons, people come to Milwaukee for the intimate experience they get from the community. That makes us different than other races.”
The 2009 Lakefront Marathon will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 4 at Grafton High School, and will wind along Milwaukee's North Shore area for 26.2 miles, finishing at Veteran's Park in Milwaukee.
The race's expo will take place on Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3 at the MSOE Kern Center in downtown Milwaukee. Over 50 vendors and running experts will be available to share tips and equipment with runners of all levels. The Lakefront Marathon is the premiere event of the Badgerland Striders racing club, and annually fills hotels, restaurants and the streets of Milwaukee's North Shore each October.
The Lakefront Marathon annually contributes over $3 million to the greater Milwaukee economy each fall. The event will celebrate its 30th anniversary on October 3, 2010, when it will also be the Road Runners Club of America national championship race.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Matt Braun, 414-975-8831, mbraun@branigan.biz
Kris Hinrichs, 414-331-0890, khinrichs@sbcglobal.net
Formal Partnership with The American Cancer Society
MILWAUKEE (April 7, 2009) – Milwaukee’s Lakefront Marathon announces a formal partnership with The American Cancer Society(ACS) which designates the race as an official event in its Charity Runner program.
As part of the agreement, The American Cancer Society will help recruit and provide volunteers throughout the race course, and will also host an official pasta dinner prior to the race on October 4, 2009. The pasta dinner will be free to any ACS Charity Runners, but also available to all marathon and relay participants for fee. Location and pricing of the dinner is still being determined.
Race director Kris Hinrichs believes this partnership will benefit both runners and the greater Milwaukee community. "The American Cancer Society is a wonderful organization that helps people around the country impacted by cancer," said Hinrichs. "We are excited to be a formal partner in their Charity Runner program, and are especially excited to bring an official pasta dinner that promotes health and nutrition to the race weekend."
Roy Pirung, a world-class marathoner and ACS volunteer also shares in the excitement on the parnternship. "Running for someone other than yourself can add another dimension to being a complete person," said Pirung. ",I have run many races that are associated with a great cause and have gotten more satisfaction because of it. I am happy that the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon has partnered with the American Cancer Society to give you the opportunity to experience that same feeling."
ACS will have an exhibit booth at the 2009 Race Expo at the MSOE Kern Center, and will provide additional exposure opportunities to help raise dollars and awareness for the ongoing battle against cancer.
About The American Cancer Society Charity Runner Program
The American Cancer Society Charity Runner Program transforms passion for participating in marathons, half-marathons, triathlons, and other endurance events into a lifesaving effort to raise funds and honor and remember people you know who have been touched by cancer. Over the years, more than 4,000 athletes in states throughout the country have helped raise more than $5 million in the fight against cancer. For more information, visit www.charityrunner.org.
About Milwaukee’s Lakefront Marathon
The 29th annual Lakefront Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, October 4, 2009 in Milwaukee. The race is the premiere event of the Badgerland Striders running club, and annually fills hotels, restaurants and the streets of Milwaukee's North Shore each October. Each year, over 3,000 marathon and relay runners come to Milwaukee’s Lakefront for its runner friendly atmosphere.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Matt Braun, 414-975-8831, mateusado@hotmail.com
Kris Hinrichs, 414-331-0890, khinrichs@sbcglobal.net
Milwaukee’s Lakefront Marathon Brings $3.28 Million to Local Economy
- Economic Impact Study reveals hotels, restaurants benefit from annual event -
MILWAUKEE (January 28, 2009) – The Lakefront Marathon brings in an estimated $3.28 million dollars to the southeastern Wisconsin community, according to an economic impact study conducted in October 2008.
The study, conducted by RaceResults, an independent third party research firm, found that 66.7 percent of the over 3000 participants had a household income of $75,000 or more, with over 46 percent earning more than $100,000. Over 50 percent of participants stayed at least one evening in Milwaukee, with the average lodging costs of $172.
Kristine Hinrichs, race director, is pleased to have the data available to better quantify the impact the race has on the region. “We’ve always said the marathon is a great economic boost to the Greater Milwaukee community. Hotels and restaurants fill quickly, but we’ve never had any specific data to show the impact. This study now helps us provide measurable results to community leaders.
Other highlights from the 2008 Economic Study included:
* The average participant spent $92.58 on entertainment while in Milwaukee, and an additional $90.63 on meals.
* Over 44 percent of participants traveled more than 50 miles to participate.
* 69 percent of participants are from Wisconsin, with an additional 21 percent from Illinois.
The Lakefront Marathon is the premiere event of the Badgerland Striders running club, and annually fills hotels, restaurants and the streets of Milwaukee's North Shore each October.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Matt Braun, 414-975-8831, mateusado@hotmail.com
Kris Hinrichs, 414-331-0890, khinrichs@sbcglobal.net
Milwaukee’s Lakefront Marathon Named Race of Year By National Racing Organization
MILWAUKEE (January 28, 2009) – Milwaukee’s Lakefront Marathon has been named the 2008 Road Race of the Year by the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA).
Race director Kristine Hinrichs will accept the award on behalf of the Lakefront Marathon at the RRCA’s Annual Convention to be held in San Francisco in March. Hinrichs is thrilled to be able to accept the award on behalf of the annual race that is driven by over 2000 volunteers.
“This award is a testament to all the hard working volunteers who give of their time and talents each year to provide a first-class experience to runners from around the world,” said Hinrichs, who is serving in her 10th year as race director. “Runners come back each year and rave about their experiences in Milwaukee thanks to our volunteers. We are honored to be named the race of the year!”
The 29th annual Lakefront Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, October 4, 2009 in Milwaukee. The race is the premiere event of the Badgerland Striders running club, and annually fills hotels, restaurants and the streets of Milwaukee's North Shore each October. Registration for the 2009 race opens January 29.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Matt Braun, 414-975-8831, mateusado@hotmail.com
Kris Hinrichs, 414-331-0890, khinrichs@sbcglobal.net