Put on your running shoes and get ready for the 10th annual Quad Cities Marathon on Sunday, September 23, 2007.

The 26.2-mile course runs through two states, four cities, four bridges, and uses existing running and biking trails along the Mississippi River. Runners and watchers alike will be entertained by the 50-plus bands that line the course.

The Quad Cities Marathon Course is "runner friendly" and labeled flat and fast. The John Deere Commons area in Moline, Illinois, is the Start/ Finish Line for all the events. The Marathon begins at 7:30 a.m. and offer prize money that will be shared between the top finishers. The time of year and type of course provide a setting for good qualifying times for the Boston Marathon.

There is a combination of five running/walking events including: *Quad Cities Marathon - USATF certified 26.2-mile course through Moline, Bettendorf, Davenport, and Rock Island.
* Foot First 1/2 Marathon - 13.1-mile course featuring same start/finish as marathon.
* 5-Person Marathon Relay - same course as marathon with distances ranging from 3.3 to 6.3 miles.
* Palmer Chiropractic 5K - out and back course open to all ages and abilities including runners and walkers.
* Happy Joe's Kids Micro-Marathon - for kids of all ages offering three distances; all finishers receive ribbons and goodie bags. This run is on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
* The Isle Mile for Prostate Cancer - a non-competitive one-mile walk to raise funds for awareness, education.

"We have more races to give more people the opportunity to participate in The Quad Cities Marathon," said Joe Moreno, Race Director. "The marathon relays and half marathon give marathoners, who may be training for another event, a chance to train in a competitive race. The shorter distances of the Fun Runs are great for children who want to participate with Mom or Dad." Be sure to attend the Happy Joe's Pasta Party on Friday night.

For more information on the Quad Cities Marathon or to register, call (309) 751- 9800 or visit their web site at www.qcmarathon.org

For information on other events in the Quad Cities or lodging, contact the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 747-7800 or visit their website at www.visitquadcities.com.

The Quad Cities is located on the Mississippi River and is made up of the riverfront cities of Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa, and Moline/East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois. The area is just a 2 and a half hour drive from Des Moines, Iowa, and Chicago, Illinois. It is easily accessible via I-80, I-74, I-88 and several major state highways.