Ultra Marathon Man and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Alumni Returns to Race SLO

Ultra Marathon Man and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Alumni Returns to Race SLO 

Dean Karnazes Joins San Luis Obispo Marathon Weekend Festivities

Sponsor: For auto insurance in San Luis Obispo, call Susan Rodriguez

by Heather Hellman

Dean Karnazes, the Ultra Marathon man who Time Magazine named one of the most influential people on the planet, completed 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days, and is an inspiration to countless runners, will participate in the San Luis Obispo Marathon + Half taking place between April 5-7, 2013. Karnazes will run the marathon course on Sunday, April 7. Participants are encouraged to "Run with Dean.”

"It's great to have Dean come to San Luis Obispo, home to his college alma mater, to support the San Luis Obispo Marathon + Half," says Samantha Pruitt, Race Director. "Dean is an inspiration to so many people, not just runners. He's not only a great ambassador of running, but a great humanitarian through his charitable efforts with Karnos Kids in the fight against childhood obesity. He embodies going from couch potato to the best a person can be with determination and resolution."

Twenty years ago, Dean Karnazes was stuck in the corporate grind and a couch potato. On his 30th birthday, he left his party and decided to "go for a run" in his underwear and old pair of shoes reserved for lawn mowing. Thirty miles later, the passion and pain of running he experienced in his youth returned and Karnazes has never looked back. His chronicled endurance exploits are amazing -- running 300 miles without a break, running to the South Pole in negative 40 degree weather and running 120 miles across Death Valley in 120 degree weather. He has been named the fittest man on the planet by several publications and is a New York Times best-selling author.

At the SLO Life Expo, Karnazes will participate in a Q&A session and book signing, start the 5K race and the children's run on Saturday, April 6. On Sunday, April 7, race day, Karnazes will run the marathon and participate in the awards ceremony. For a complete schedule of Karnazes appearances, please visit www.slomarathon.com.  For more about Karnazes, visit www.UltramarathonMan.com

About the San Luis Obispo Marathon, Half Marathon + 5K

Keeping the same highly regarded course for 2013, the San Luis Obispo Marathon + Half takes participants through the town’s charming downtown corridor past the old Fremont Theatre, by Mission San Luis Obispo and through neighborhoods with historic Victorian and Craftsman bungalows, out into the rolling hills of the renowned Edna Valley vineyards and farm land, then back into the city center, past Railroad Square and onto the iconic Madonna Inn property for a spectacular downhill, panoramic finish in the shadow of Cerro San Luis.

The 5K race is held on the Madonna Inn property, featuring two loops and a spectacular downhill finish. The Children’s Fun Run will also be held on the Madonna property.

Registration is open for all races. To register, view course maps, volunteer or for additional SLO Marathon information, please visit www.slomarathon.com

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