March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 48 F

ZOOMA Zooms Into Annapolis Next Week

ZOOMA, the annual women’s race series that has changed the way women train, race and celebrate their victories, announces that its 2011 Annapolis race will stage on Sunday, June 5, at 7:00am beginning at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and continuing through historic Annapolis.

Changing the Course of Women’s Running Nationally

The ZOOMA runner experience has become the ultimate power girl’s event, inviting women to indulge in a healthy lifestyle and reap its benefits post-run at the huge After-Party Expo at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium End Zone. Inside the expo, runners and their supporters will treat themselves with post-race girls pampering including live music, massages, demos, and shopping, food and wine tastings provided by Barefoot Wine & Bubbly. Other expo participants include Gracie’s Gear, New Balance, BornFit Spunkwear, BondiBand, Whooha Gear, and Sayre Re-Flex. Also sponsoring this year are Flex Power and Ultima Replinisher as the official energy drink of ZOOMA Annapolis Half Marathon & 10K.

Based upon the success of ZOOMA Annapolis, ZOOMA has launched nationally in 2011, with races staging in Austin, Texas (April 16), Colorado Springs, Colorado (July 17) and Atlanta (November 16).

“After the success of previous events, we are excited to kick off ZOOMA Annapolis 2011, the race which started our national series,” said Brae Blackley, Founder & Executive Director for ZOOMA Women’s Race Series. “As always, we are working hard to take the ZOOMA runner experience to the next level and make the 2011 event a fantastic race day.”

A Runner’s Route Through Historic Annapolis

Annapolis provides the perfect race backdrop, with typical race day high temperatures of 81ºF, and lows of 59ºF. The ZOOMA run showcases sweeping views of the city’s best offerings as runner’s trek along the course that winds through downtown Annapolis alongside some of the city’s most captivating landmarks including St. Johns College and the Maryland State House. The terrain is smooth, experiencing steepest inclines beginning at mile marker 7, perfect for the “middle of the pack” runner. A map of the ZOOMA half marathon route is attached.

Brae Blackley Created a Race for Women Like Herself

Brae Blackley, who considers herself to be also considers herself to be a “middle of the pack” runner, found the Annapolis terrain to stage a half marathon & 10K ideal because of both its beauty and because it would be ideal for the audience she wanted to reach.

“I think that women don’t run differently, but they’re looking for an experience rather than a race,” says Blackley. Indeed, since the race was founded in 2008, it has grown by 50% each year; 4,000 runners are expected at the start line on June 5. The 2010 ZOOMA Run hosted runners from 39 states and as far as Jamaica.

Blackley, a resident of Arlington, VA is a mother, wife, and career woman and aims to make the ZOOMA race series easy and enjoyable for women like herself giving them options for picking up packets, opportunities to meet ZOOMA staff beforehand, and a unique celebration of their triumphs.

ZOOMA is for The Bachelor, too

This year’s official charity partner is the Got Your Back Network (www.GotYourBackNetwork.org), the non-profit foundation founded by former star of television show The Bachelor, Dr. Andy Baldwin as a means to provide services to families of fallen soldiers. The preferred charity partner for ZOOMA is Wounded Warriors Project (www.WoundedWarriorsProject.org), which aims to honor and empower injured service members through awareness, by enlisting the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, helping injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and providing unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs.

Online registration is available at www.ZoomaRun.com/Annapolis for the half marathon and 10k. Registration for the half marathon is $105 and $65 for the 10k until June 5. For those who cannot make it to the training session, ZOOMA also has a virtual training offer from Lauren “Gracie” Updike, Founder and CEO of Gracie’s Gear, and creator of the Power Pouch. Information can also be found at www.ZOOMARun.com.

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