A Ford Field Finish for the 25th Annual Marathon

June 27, 2002

Detroit, Michigan - Ford Field will be host to the 25th Annual Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon's official finish line on Sunday, October 6, 2002, race organizers and Ford Field officials announced today. The Marathon, presented by Greektown Casino, is celebrating its 25th anniversary and has plans for many spectacular improvements to the race course, including the finish in the soon-to-be opened Ford Field.

Ford Field, the 1.85 million square foot development located in downtown Detroit opening in August, will be home to the Detroit Lions, will host Super Bowl XL in 2006, and will feature restaurants, entertainment venues, hospitality space and commercial offices.

Race organizers and Ford Field officials have been meeting for several months planning the Ford Field finish and the relocation of the Marathon's Whole Foods Market Health & Fitness Expo to the Ford Field complex. The finish line will be located on the field inside Ford Field and all race participants, including marathoners, walkers, wheelers, relay team members and 5K participants will cross the official finish line. Ford Field's audio/visual equipment and 96 foot long video screens will be used to enhance the experience for spectators sitting in the stands waiting to see their friends and family cross the finish line.

"A finish line experience at Ford Field for both the runners and the spectators truly epitomizes our organization's mission of providing an extraordinary experience for the ordinary person." said Patricia Ball, Marathon Race Director. "Working with the people in the Ford Field organization has been wonderful and they have contributed to the enthusiasm for providing race participants with a one-of-a-kind finish experience that will not only showcase this beautiful new facility but also put Detroit on the map as a marathon destination."

"Hosting the 2002 Detroit Marathon at Ford Field is an extremely exciting opportunity" said Tom Lewand, Executive Vice President and COO of Detroit Lions Properties, LLC. "We hope to provide all participants with a great new twist to the end of the race. The marathon and the Expo give us a chance to welcome another segment of metro Detroit's athletes and its sports and fitness fans into Ford Field."

The Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon is an annual 26.2 mile road race, certified each year by the U.S. Track and Field Association. The race is a sanctioned qualifying race for entry into the Boston Marathon. The 2002 event marks the Marathon's 25th anniversary and is expected to attract over 5,000 participants. The Marathon features five race divisions: marathon (26.2 miles), Wright & Filippis Wheelchair Competition (26.2 miles), Competitive Race Walking (26.2 miles), Reebok Team Relays (2-person and 5-person teams) and a Compuware 5k Fun Run and Fitness Walk (3.2 miles). Prize money is awarded in each of these divisions (with the exception of the 5K run) and totals over $28,000. In conjunction with the Marathon, the Whole Foods Market Health & Fitness Expo will be held Friday and Saturday, October 4 - 5, 2002 on the Ford Field concourse and the annual Pasta Dinner will be held Saturday evening, October 5, 2002 (location to be announced later this month).

For more information, contact Patricia Kelly at 313-222-5987 or [email protected] or visit our website at www.freep.com/marathon. 25th annual Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon, presented by Greektown Casino: An Extraordinary Experience for the Ordinary Person.

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