Quad Cities Marathon: Giveaway!

The Quad Cities Marathon will always have a special place in my heart as it is "the home" to my very first full marathon. {race recap here}  It's the perfect mid-sized racing event, especially if you're looking for a PR or BQ.  With an intriguing course and top-notch race organization, the Quad Cities Marathon (QCM) ranks as one of the top picks for the fall race season. Mark your calendar for September 23, 2012 to run with me in the heart of the Midwest. 

www.qcmarathon.org

Whatever your distance, age or fitness level, there is an event for you at the Quad Cities Marathon...

The Marathon presented by The National Bank

(individual or 5-person relay)

Ruhl & Ruhl Half Marathon

Palmer 5K Run/Walk

1 Mile Walk for Prostate Cancer

Happy Joe's Kids Micro Marathon

Running the banks of the Mississippi River
during the 2011 Quad Cities Marathon

UNIQUE COURSE

The QCM is nestled between Illinois and Iowa with a course that captures the essence of the Midwest with a constant connection to the Mississippi River.  The flat course is intriguing as it covers 2 states, 4 cities, 3 bridges, and an island. The gun starts off the marathon in Moline, IL and runners are quickly given grandous views as they cross the Mighty Mississippi into Bettendorf, IA. After a nice tour through residential areas, the course connects with the riverfront trail, offering amazing views of the river, cities and bridges.  The half and full marathon split at about the 8 mile mark, but reunite later on the Arsensal Island that rests in the middle of the Mississippi River. The full course runs nearly 7 miles on the historic, yet still active, military grounds. The scenic route along the river and through the golf course are extremely peaceful. As runners exit Arsensal Island, the halfers turn right to finish line, while full marathoners head left for a 3mile out and back.  All races finish back in Moline with a straightaway stretch of cheering crowds down River Drive.

BEST VALUE

The QCM is absolutely spoiling their racers with an abundance of perks in 2012.  No matter what your race distance, everyone receives a Leslie Jordan micro-fiber long sleeve shirt and finisher's medal. (Kids micro-marathon shirts are cotton tees.)  Stepping things up for their 15th Anniversary, the QCM has upgraded to long sleeve shirts. The finisher medals have also been enhanced... picture a stained-glass piece of art dangling around your neck.  You won't want to miss this unique bling!

To celebrate the 15th running of the Quad Cities Marathon, all race participants will receive an additional two bonus gifts... anniversary edition Gloves and a Race Belt!  I had a chance to see these items firsthand recently.  I loved the feel and fit of the running gloves, which feature each of the four cities on the fingers.  The race belt is perfectly sized so that I can fit my key, gum and iPhone in the compartment and a couple GU gels on the strap. Perfect for long training runs!

Also included in your entry fee:

• Commemorative Race Poster by world renown artist Ralph Laccarino
• Special edition newspaper (with race results). It was a nice surprise last year to get this in the mail the week following the race. 
• Miller Lite Post Race Party with great entertainment and refreshments (pork chop sandwiches and chili are on the menu for this year!)
• Pacers provided in both the marathon and half marathon
• Bands and entertainers along the course
• Medical and Aid Stations along the course - providing water, gatorade, vaseline, GU Energy Gel, fruit stations and more. (I fondly remember oranges present 3 times on the backhalf of the course!)
• USATF Boston Qualifier Course
• Championship scoring and timing

With all those perks, I think you'd agree that the QCM is a steal at only $70/$45/$25 for the Full/Half/5K respectively for early bird registration (until June 29).  New this year is a cap of 5,000 runners, so don't delay your race registration (here).  They also honor a military discount for our service men and women.

EXTRAS

Fundraising... The QCM benefits two worthy causes - prostate cancer research and screening (www.ustoo.org), and the Erika Kate Foundation, which helps families of children with life-threatening heart conditions.

Even the kids race has a scenic run along the Mississippi River!

Event Activities... The weekend kicks off with Saturday's children's race, the Happy Joe's Micro Marathon, which is the best kids race event I've ever seen. Read more about last year's kids event here. There is a good size Health & Fitness Expo, as well as bus course tours, and an evening pasta dinner.  This year's guest speaker is running legend Frank Shorter.

WIN A FREE RACE ENTRY!

The race director of the QCM has graciously offered one FREE RACE ENTRY

to one of my readers for the race of your choice. Choose from the marathon, 

half-marathon, 5K, 1 mile walk or (2) entries into the kids micro-marathon.

Giveaway contest closes to new entries on Monday, May 28, 2012 (Memorial Day).

Random winner will be selected via Rafflecopter and announced on May 29, 2012.  

Already registered for the Quad Cities Marathon?
Please leave a comment below as to which race event you are already registered for.  You will automatically be entered into a secondary giveaway for a Quad Cities Marathon tech shirt.  Note, you may still enter the race entry giveaway too - encourage a friend, a spouse or your kids to run by winning them a free race!

a Rafflecopter giveaway