SAN DIEGO, CA - August 8, 2006 - The ING Georgia Marathon has chosen online registration and technology services from The Active Network, Inc. ("Active") for its inaugural race on March 25, 2007 in Atlanta. The two-year agreement with Active, known for its popular consumer Web site Active.com and its history processing millions of secure online registrations annually for races and events, will also offer technology to manage and track participant and volunteer data, debut and manage a new Web site, provide live race day results by e-mail or text, and allow runners to take a virtual, mile-by-mile Flash tour of the race course from the marathon's Web site. Online registration for the event, which includes marathon, half marathon, wheelchair and handcycle races, is available now at www.active.com or www.inggeorgiamarathon.com.
"Our goal is producing the Southeast's premier spring marathon and technology plays a critical role in our success," explained Victoria Seahorn, ING Georgia Marathon's race director. "Active is the experienced leader in online registration and with its reputation among major marathons and the range of technology services available, the decision was an easy one. The team's proven track record and resources also enable us to offer the very latest tools to our participants with the confidence they will have the best event experience."
The race, created in partnership with Georgia Marathon LLC, will be Atlanta's first spring marathon. Runners will follow a course that winds through metro Atlanta's most interesting and historic areas, including the Sweet Auburn District, Inman Park, Little 5 Points, Decatur, Emory University, and Virginia Highlands. Through Active's services, each mile of the course can be previewed in advance of the race through a virtual Flash video available from the race's new Web site. On race day, friends and families can also track individual runners through race updates on the Web site or through e-mailed updates to cell phones or pagers.
Using technology from Active, Seahorn and her staff can access and track registrant data from a single system, streamline administration, reduce paperwork and easily communicate with runners through a new Web site. The new site, created by Active and launched this week, offers easy navigation and fast access to information. Through Active's easy-to-use publishing tools, marathon staff can update or add Web content without IT or technical support. The company is also providing online registration for volunteers, saving Seahorn and her staff hours of time recruiting and screening volunteer teams.
According to Seahorn, the ING Georgia Marathon will attract more than 15,000 participants.
"We've been very fortunate to work with sponsors like ING and partners like Active that share our passion and support our vision of showcasing Atlanta's diversity, culture and running community through this inaugural race," added Seahorn. "This is really an event for everyone, whether you're walking, running, volunteering or cheering."
The marathon's founding title sponsor, ING, is a global financial services company and one of the most significant sponsors of distance running events in the United States. In addition to the ING Georgia Marathon, ING is also the title sponsor of the ING New York City Marathon, the ING Miami Marathon, and the ING Bay to Breakers.
About the ING Georgia Marathon
The ING Georgia Marathon is the premier running event in the Southeast. The race creates awareness for healthy lifestyles in the local community. The inaugural event runs on March 25, 2007 with approximately 15,000 runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes expected to participate. The event will create an estimated $21 million in economic impact on the metro Atlanta community. For more information, please visit www.inggeorgiamarathon.com.
About The Active Network, Inc.
The Active Network, Inc., based in San Diego, Calif., provides application services technology and marketing access to community service organizations, and is a leading online community for active lifestyles. The company's application services help organizations increase efficiency and reduce the cost and complexity of daily administration. The technology automates and streamlines information collection, activity registration, facility reservation, tee time reservations, pro-shop management, membership and fundraising management, payments and cash handling, customer service response and Web content management. The company delivers marketing access through integrated marketing and consumer promotions that provide leading brands direct access to active consumers. Organizations can also access marketing services that promote community use of online services as well as marketing partnership programs that create additional revenues for organizations through new services for the public. Through the company's Web properties, www.Active.com, www.eteamz.com and www.ActiveGolf.com, The Active Network provides consumer services and resources that support participation in healthy lifestyles. The Active Network serves organizations and participants in multiple markets throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. For more information, please visit www.TheActiveNetwork.com or call 1-888-543-7223.