Press release from Crowne Plaza Queenstown
Friday 15 February 2008

Sportswomen Sarah Ulmer & Kathrine Switzer to inspire locals

Two of the most dynamic women in sporting history will host a free motivational and interactive evening on Thursday 6 March at Queenstown’s Crowne Plaza.

Local audiences are invited to gain personal insights into the achievements of national biking icon Sarah Ulmer and international sporting trailblazer Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon.

Sarah and Kathrine will be interviewed by renowned sports commentator Paul Allison as they tell their unique stories and answer questions from the floor.

Sarah will talk about achieving Olympic and two-time Commonwealth Games Gold Medals in 3000m women’s individual pursuit cycling and setting world records riding in Oceania and New Zealand road and track racing.

Equally captivating is Kathrine’s experience in 1967 as the first female to officially register in what was then the all-male Boston Marathon. The infuriated event director attacked Kathrine mid-race, trying violently to eject her. In what became one of the sport’s all-time galvanizing images, Kathrine and her companions fought off the official and she went on to finish.

This watershed moment forced social change and empowerment for women in sport world wide. Switzer went on to organize women’s running events in 27 countries and led the drive to get the women’s marathon event in the Olympic Games.

“What a treat to host these two amazing women under one roof. Their drive, passion and visionary approach is going to motivate each of us in different ways and be a pleasure to experience face to face,” said Julie Jolley, Crowne Plaza Queenstown’s Business Development Manager.

Kathrine will be signing and selling copies of her newly released memoir, Marathon Woman, during the evening.

While in Queenstown Sarah will be taking part in her first marathon in the Motatapu Icebreaker on 8 March.

“An Evening with Two Iconic Women in Sport” will run from 5:30pm –7.00pm. Entry is free and there will be a cash bar.

Optional gold coin donations and a percentage of each book sale will be donated to the Paradise Trust, the official charity of the Motatapu Icebreaker.

Participants should RSVP to functions@crowneplazaqueenstown.co.nz or call 03 450 2681 by 5pm on 5 March.
Ends

About Sarah and Kathrine:

Sarah
After racing hundreds of races and training thousands of hours, Sarah won multiple Oceania and National Championships, two Commonwealth Games Gold Medals (98 & 02), and an Olympic Gold Medal with an Olympic record time in the showcase track cycling event, the 3000m Women’s Individual Pursuit in the 2004 Games in Athens. She is still the World Record holder in this event and was named New Zealand Sportsperson of the year in 2004. Most recently, Sarah has directed her competitive drive into creating her own company, SUB: Sarah Ulmer Brand, specialising in cycling gear and events.

Kathrine
A New Zealand and USA national, Kathrine has run 35 marathons, won the New York City Marathon and was ranked 6th in the world. In addition to her race organising, she is the author of three books, an Emmy award winning TV commentator of marathons, covering among others, the New York City, Boston and Chicago marathons. She covered the Seoul Olympics for TV-NZ along with her husband and NZ Masters runner Roger Robinson. She still runs and competes.

ENDS

© Scoop Media