2006 Hyundai Accent to be awarded on May 28
Ottawa, ON - On Sunday May 28th, one lucky ING Ottawa Marathon or Half Marathon participant could cross the finish line and get a lot more than a medal. Organizers today announced that the key to a new 2006 Hyundai Accent, courtesy of Pathway Hyundai, would be awarded to a finisher for the first time in 32 years.

"This brings marathon running to a whole new level," says Susan Longbottom, president of the ING Ottawa Marathon. "Our goal has always been to offer more to runners and today, because of Pathway Hyundai, we're able to offer the biggest prize in Canadian marathon history ever offered to a non-elite runner!"

The winner of the new vehicle will be chosen on race day with the prize awarded at the finish line when he or she completes the race. Any runner crossing the finish line of the ING Ottawa Marathon or Half Marathon could be the winner.

Pathway Hyundai will also award a 2006 Hyundai Tucson to an elite athlete, regardless of citizenship, who sets a new record for the fastest marathon run on Canadian soil. Athletes will have to break the current records held by Waldemar Cierpinski who ran the marathon in 2:09:55 in the 1976 Montreal Olympics, and Lidia Simon who set a marathon record of 2:26:01 at the 2001 IAAF World Championships in Edmonton.

"As a company, we always strive to offer the best of our products to our customers. Marathoners are similar in that they push their bodies to extraordinary achievements," says Greg Stewart from Pathway Hyundai. "We're very proud to be associated with a world-class event such as the ING Ottawa Marathon and look forward to awarding two vehicles this year!"

Participants must be 18 years or older to win the prize. Participants must be registered for and complete either the ING Ottawa Marathon or the ING Ottawa Half Marathon on Sunday May 28, 2006. Runners holding Elite Athlete status (as designated by the race organizers) are not eligible to win the Hyundai Accent but will be competing for the Hyundai Tucson. Other contest details and regulations are available at www.runottawa.ca.