news-record.com

From a news release:

The newly formed Tobacco Road Marathon Association (TRMA) has announced the first marathon starting in Cary and traversing the American Tobacco Trail. The race is confirmed for March 21, 2010, starting at 7 a.m.

TRMA is a group of highly experienced marathon runners and athletic event production managers headed by Cid Cardoso Jr., the president and founder of Inside-Out Sports, and five-time Boston marathon veteran Kazem Yahyapour.

"Our goal is to give runners the best opportunity possible to qualify for the Boston Marathon," says Yahyapour, who was co-founder of the successful City of Oaks Marathon. "We believe we have put together the fastest course in North Carolina."

The scenic course includes 18 miles of the American Tobacco Trail for the marathon and 7 miles for the half. Runners will start from the USA Baseball/Thomas Brooks Park complex in Cary. TRMA believes they will deliver an ideal performance environment for runners with a course largely devoid of hills and an average temperature for March 21 of 52 degrees Fahrenheit.

Plans call for proceeds to go to the Wounded Warriors Project, American Heart Association and the Triangle Rails to Trails Conservancy (TRTC).

Details about the event including online registration and training tips can be obtained through TRMA's Web site at www.tobaccoroadmarathon.com. You can also become a friend of "Tobacco Road" on Facebook.