Penguin Pride Creates Excitement for LaSalle Bank Columbus Half Marathon

Community Support Gives Runners a Boost

COLUMBUS, OH (April 16, 2007) – The LaSalle Bank Columbus Half Marathon race course was buzzing on race day, thanks to the Penguin Pride campaign and the civic and church groups, and businesses that participated in the inaugural effort. Many of the participating businesses donated cash and prizes that were then awarded to the three groups showing exceptional spirit and support.

John Bingham Racing congratulates the following groups:

The Ohio State University Pep Band earned the top prize of $250;
Grove City Church of the Nazarene won the second prize of $100 and $100 in gift certificates to Gordon Biersch and bd's mongolian barbeque; and
A&M Acoustic earned the third prize of dinner for five at the NorthStar Café.

"Part of what makes the half marathon a world-class event is the city that hosts it. We're fortunate to have fantastic, unique neighborhoods along the race course," said David Babner, president of John Bingham Racing. "And the Penguin Pride groups—from the neighborhoods, civic groups and businesses along the way—made this event even better for everyone who participated. The runners and walkers really fed off of the energy and enthusiasm of our Penguin Pride partners."

The following businesses offered their support to make the awards for the Penguin Pride campaign possible: Columbus Financial Concepts, bd's mongolian barbeque, Gordon Biersch and the NorthStar Café.

About John Bingham Racing

John Bingham Racing, LLC is a road race marketing and management company founded in 2002. The Company produces The John Bingham Racing Half Marathon Series and the Corazon Race Series. The Half Marathon Series currently consists of the Arizona Distance Classic in Oro Valley Arizona, the Capital City Half Marathon in Columbus Ohio, The LaSalle Bank Chicago Distance Classic and the Run to Victory in Randleman, North Carolina. All JBR events are a celebration of athletes, young and old, fast and slow. Everyone gets a warrior's send off at the start and a hero's welcome at the finish line and, of course, the BIG Honkin' PENGUIN Finisher's Medal.