Runner’s World Classic Road Race to Make July Debut in North Andover, Mass.

Runner's World enlists DMSE Sports as operations partner for new event and for fifth Runner’s World Half & Festival Presented by Altra

EMMAUS, Pa. (March 21, 2016) – Rodale Inc.’s Runner's World has announced the launch of  The Runner’s World Classic to be held July 15–17 in North Andover, Mass. The inaugural running event will be operated in partnership with veteran sports event management firm DMSE Sports as part of a new relationship that will also include operational oversight of the wildly popular Runner’s World Half & Festival Presented by Altra, October 14–16, 2016.

Developed in response to the growing demand for competitive running events, The Runner’s World Classic will be held on the grounds of Merrimack College in Andover the weekend of July 15–17, 2016. To welcome runners of all levels, the three-day event will feature a Kids Run in the evening on Friday, July 15; a 5K and 10K in the morning on Saturday, July 16; and a Half Marathon on Sunday, July 17 complete with a post run celebration including a live band. Seminars hosted by the Runner’s World editors and special guests will be held throughout the weekend. Registration opens today at www.RWClassic.com.

“Runner’s World is excited to partner with DMSE to not only launch a new event in North Andover, Mass., but to bring DMSE’s expertise and knowledge of road race management to our Bethlehem, Pa. event, ultimately taking the Runner’s World Half & Festival Presented by Altra to the next level in our fifth year,” said David Willey, Runner’s World Editor-in-Chief. 

“Runner’s World is the most influential and established source of running information in the world and we are thrilled to work with them as they expand their event offerings,” said Dave McGillivray, Founder and President of DMSE. “Merrimack College, my alma mater, is the perfect setting for the new RW Classic and we are excited to welcome back the thousands of runners and fans who come out for the RW Half & Festival in Bethlehem each year.”

Now in its fifth year, the Runner’s World Half & Festival Presented by Altra is a weekend-long celebration that allows readers to run with the editors through Bethlehem, Pennsylvania's historic neighborhoods, including some of the town's original 1741 settlement, Moravian College, and the former Bethlehem Steel complex. The centerpiece of the weekend is the Half Marathon on Sunday, October 16. The Altra 3.8-Mile Trail Run and the free Kids Runs will be held on Friday, October 14.  The 5-K, 10-K, and the free Dog Run will take place on Saturday, October 15. Those seeking tougher challenges can tackle multiple race options that include The Hat Trick – 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon; The Five & Dime – 5K and 10K; and new for 2016, The Grand Slam 26.2 Weekend Marathon which includes the Trail Run, 5K,10K, and the Half Marathon. The festival weekend will also include seminars, live music, and a pre-race pasta dinner with Runner’s World editors.

Registration is currently available at https://rwhalfandfestival2016.eventbrite.com.

About DMSE Sports
DMSE Sports is a leader in sports event management, specializing in creating, marketing and producing mass participatory athletic events throughout the U.S. and abroad. In addition to the B.A.A. Boston Marathon, DMSE manages more than 25 major road races per year, including the TD Beach to Beacon in Maine, the New Balance Falmouth Road Race on Cape Cod, the Finish at the 50 at Patriot Place, the Bellin Run in Green Bay, Wis., the Feaster Five Thanksgiving Day Road Race and the Across the Bay 10K in Annapolis, Maryland, among others. For more info, visit www.dmsesports.com.

About The Runner’s World Half & Festival
After its inaugural year, the Council for Responsible Sport awarded the Runner’s World Half & Festival silver certification, the first large running event to achieve such status in its launch year. Past festivals have hosted Boston Marathon Race Director Dave McGillivray, Olympic Gold-Medalist Summer Sanders, Ultramarathon Legend Dean Karnazes, Olympic Marathoner Shalane Flanagan, Three-time Olympian and Bronze medalist Deena Kastor and Inspirational Author Matt Long. The final schedule of events will be posted later in 2016.For more information or to register for any of the races or events, log on to www.RWHalf.com or get instant updates on twitter (@rwhalf) and Facebook (Runner’s World Half & Festival).

About Runner’s World
Rodale Inc.’s Runner’s World, the largest and most influential media brand in the running space, is the essential guide for everyone who runs. The brand provides all runners—men and women, from beginners to hardcore marathoners—with the advice and information they need to pursue their goals, the inspiration and entertainment they crave, and a sense of authentic community they won’t find anywhere else. Runner’s World is everywhere its readers and customers are—in print, online, on-screen and on the ground. Through authentic events such as the award-winning Runner’s World Challenge, the award-winning Runner’s World Half & Festival (www.RWHalf.com), and the Runner’s World Heartbreak Hill Half & Festival (www.HHHalf.com), Runner’s World editors forge deep connections and have meaningful interactions with our readers as an organic part of the running community. Runner’s World publishes 18 international editions: Argentina, Australia/New Zealand, Belgium, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States. For digital updates, visit www.runnersworld.com, Twitter (@runnersworld), Facebook (Runner’s World Magazine), Instagram (@runnersworldmag), and Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/runnersworld/).

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