2015 Elite for the Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Brittany R. Vajda Communications Director J&A Racing 757-­‐412-­‐1056 brittany@jandaracing.com Local Runner To Compete Against National and International Elite Athletes During Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend’s TowneBank 8K
February 25, 2015 VIRGINIA BEACH – J&A Racing will host the 2015 Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend in Virginia Beach, Virginia on March 20-­‐22. The weekend will include our Elite for A Day program where Maggie McDearmon of Richmond, Virginia has been chosen to take on our American and International elite athletes during the TowneBank Shamrock 8K on March 21, 2015. Maggie will be given a head start based on her predicted finish time and past performances, and if she can reach the finish line first, she will claim a $1,000 prize. All other runners will start at the regularly scheduled time. Should someone in the field overtake Maggie and get to the finish line first, he or she will receive the $1,000 Challenge prize and the TowneBank 8k champion’s purse. “We are really excited about this event, and we are hoping the timing is right to the point that they are neck and neck to the finish line with the crowd going wild, “said Jerry Frostick, J&A Race Director. Maggie McDearmon started participating in the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend in 2011 and has since completed the TowneBank Shamrock 8K and Anthem Shamrock Half Marathon. She became a runner to stay active and set personal goals for herself shortly after graduating from college. When she is not running she is the Career Development Advisor at the Robertson School of Media & Culture at Virginia Commonwealth University, and she enjoys traveling and cooking. “I love a good challenge, and whether or not I'm the first to cross the finish line, I'm looking forward to a fun experience, “ said Maggie McDearmon. “Although I'm definitely a little nervous, it's a great excuse to continue to train more diligently.” About J&A Racing J&A Racing is a nationally recognized race management company based in Virginia Beach, Virginia with a mission to promote and support healthy lifestyles and the sport of running through the development and growth of their running events throughout Hampton Roads. Founded in 2003 when J&A Racing owners Amy and Jerry Frostick first took over the Shamrock Sportsfest, the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend has become one of the most popular events in the country, growing from 3,000 participants to a record 30,000 in 2014. J&A Racing’s portfolio of fun, festive and family oriented events for runners at all stages in life has expanded to include the Halloween themed Anthem Wicked 10K and Old Point National Bank Monster Mile, the Bon Secours In Motion ODU Big Blue 5K, the Christmas themed Surf-­‐n-­‐Santa 5 miler, the Crawlin' Crab Half Marathon & 5K and the Blue Moon Harbor Lights Half Marathon and 5K. For information on all of the J&A Racing events, please visit http://www.jandaracing.com/.