PRESS

FACTS AND FIGURES

1. The race was founded in 1973 and had 92 finishers. This year's race will be the 35th.
   
   
2. The race is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation. Proceeds are used to support youth athletic programs in the Town of Falmouth and for the benefit of other non-profit community groups.
   
   
3. The length is seven miles and the route is along the shore from Woods Hole, around scenic Nobska Lighthouse Point, along Surf Drive and around Falmouth Harbor, finishing at the beach in Falmouth Heights.
   
   
4. Date: Aug. 12, 2007, 10 a.m. start.
   
   
5. Among the elite this year will be Olympic silver medalist Meb Keflezighi, the first American male to win an Olympic medal since Frank Shorter in 1976. Also competiting will be 2004 Kenyan Olympic silver medalist Catherine Ndereba of Kenya.
   
   
6. Named in Sports Illustrated, July 11, 2005, page 113, "One of the 25 essential things to do in the summer." ("Sweat It.")
   
   
7. Voted "Best USA Road Race" by Runner's World magazine.
   
   
8. Named "Best Non-Marathon Road Race in the U.S." by the New York Roadrunners Club, sponsors of the New York Marathon.
   
   
9. Rated among the top 15 American road races every year since 1977 by Runner's World and Running Times magazines.
   
   
10. Past winners have included Olympic champions Joan Benoit Samuelson and Frank Shorter, as well as Olympians Bill Rodgers, Grete Waitz, Alberto Salazar, Rod Dixon, Lornah Kiplagat and Catherine Ndereba and former world marathon record holder Khalid Khannouchi.
    
    
11. Field annually includes many of the best American and international runners, including last year the Olympic bronze medallist Deena Kaster of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., and several other 2004 Olympians.
    
    
12. Has been on the cover of several runners' magazine and has been picked up for regional and national news coverage, including Sports Illustrated in 2003 and 2005. Life Magazine ran two-page color photo in November 1991.
    
    
13. 10,000 official entrants and another 2,000 unofficial "crashers." Spectator crowd has been estimated at 75,000+.
    
    
14. Considered to be one of the premier sporting events in New England.
    
    
15. Other events in conjunction with the race: number pick-up at race headquarters, 790 Main Street, beginning on Wednesday, Aug. 8, attended by all runners and families; runners' supper attended by 3,000+ on Friday, Aug. 10; Expo at race headquarters on Saturday, Aug. 11, attended by 8,000+; 12th annual Invitational Falmouth Mile (men and women - 2,500 spectators) at Falmouth High School track on Aug. 11, 6:15 p.m.; post-race picnic on the ball field near the finish line, attended by 10,000+; award ceremony after the race at 12:15, attended by 2,000+.
    
    
16. Over 2,000 volunteers.
    
    
17. Runners selected by lottery from among those who applied online between May 1 and 15.