Posted on the ING GA Marathon site

Nearly 97 Percent Finish First-Ever
ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon

Race Team Already Planning Improvements to 2008 Event

(ATLANTA, March 28, 2007) – A record number of racers finished the inaugural ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon on Sunday, March 25. [I understand it was the LARGEST starting field ever for an inaugural marathon.] Nearly 97 percent who started the course completed it… [Glad I was one of those!] Under blue skies, spring blooms, and summer-like temperatures – a record 87 degrees Fahrenheit – 13,730 of the original 15,000 registered for the event started out on the neighborhood-based course, with 13,258 crossing the finish.

“We could not have asked for a better day for a better race in a better city,” shared Victoria Seahorn, race director of the first-ever ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon… Of course, like any first-time event, we plan to build on the best and learn from the rest for 2008.”… The greatest opportunity for improving the race next year and ensuring the safety of the runner is in improving the availability of hydration along the race course. “We understand that a number of runners were frustrated by water and sports drink availability at some water stations… [Actually, not by the "availability" but the LACK of availability.] “Even though adequate water and sports drink supplies were at the scheduled locations on the course, it was the logistics of getting it into the hands of racers that fell through. [So the water was there? hummmm...]

Despite the challenges, and the record high temperature, 4,340 racers finished the 26.2-mile marathon course and 8,918 completed the 13.1-mile half marathon… The 2008 event will maintain the tour of in-town neighborhoods with planned changes to the start and finish to better accommodate the racers. [The finish line was chaotic at best.]