Sunday, March 06, 2005
“SPA ON WHEELS” SHUTTLE ROLLS OUT FOR L.A. MARATHON XX
by Don Rose
(LOS ANGELES, CA: Mar 6, 2005) — As the nation’s fourth largest marathon celebrates its 20th anniversary this morning, the Los Angeles Marathon continues to introduce race-day firsts with a new “Spa On Wheels” shuttle, a fusion of ideas that blends spas, sports and a much-needed method of transportation for L.A. Marathon biathletes.
For marathoners who started their morning with the 11th annual Acura L.A. Bike Tour – a 22.7-mile leisure ride through the traffic-free streets of Los Angeles – the Spa On Wheels shuttle transported biathletes from the Acura L.A. Bike Tour finish line at University of Southern California to the Marathon start line at Figueroa Blvd and 6th Street in downtown Los Angeles.
Metropolitan Transit Authority wrapped buses transformed on event day into the Spa On Wheels shuttle. The bus exteriors feature the L.A. Marathon 2005 anniversary artwork created by presenting sponsor American Motor Honda Co. Inc., and Acura, the title sponsor of the Acura L.A. Bike Tour.
Inside, the buses reflect a serene spa-like environment created by Whole Life Consultants, a spa management and consulting firm based in Hermosa Beach, Calif. WLC operates Checkers Spa at the Hilton Checkers Hotel and the Good Samaritan Hospital in downtown Los Angeles, and the Beach House Spa at the Beach House Hotel in Hermosa Beach.
During the three-mile ride, mini neck, arm, shoulder, leg and foot massages comfort riders; also available: Sparkletts water and soothing music. In addition, re-energizing drinks and snacks such as Gatorade and Clif Bars are available on board.
The L.A. Marathon was the first to offer a pre-marathon bike ride as part of Marathon-day events, and as such, is the first Marathon with the unique challenge of transporting more than 100 biathletes. The Spa On Wheels shuttle concept came as a response to feedback from L.A. Marathon biathletes who enjoyed the challenge of completing both events, but wanted an easier option for getting from the Bike Tour finish line to the start of the Marathon.
“The L.A. Marathon and Acura L.A. Bike Tour looked to address the needs of the biathletes in not only an effective manner, but creatively as well,” says Marie Patrick co-founder and executive vice president of the L.A. Marathon. “We believe the Spa On Wheels shuttle will be a nice experience for our biathletes and hope it encourages more of our runners to participate in both events in years to come.”
“L.A. Marathon biathletes require special consideration, not only logistically, but physically because of the additional impact to their bodies,” said John Howard, three-time Olympic cyclist, world-record holder and cycling coach for the Acura L.A. Bike Tour. “I can’t think of a nicer thing to do between events for these special athletes than this new shuttle concept.”
The Acura L.A. Bike Tour begins at 6 a.m.; cyclists were scheduled to cross the finish line (with live broadcast on NBC4 in Los Angeles) beginning at 7:30 a.m. For the first time ever, the broadcast, which ends at 11 a.m., will be made available to a global audience via the World Wide Web by logging on to NBC4.tv or by linking through the L.A. Marathon Website at lamarathon.com. A Spanish-language live broadcast will take place on Telemundo 52 from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
The L.A. Marathon is the largest marathon in the state, fourth largest in the country and seventh largest in the world. It is expected to draw more than 25,000 runners from all 50 states and 80 countries. Historically, 80 percent of all participants have hailed Southern California as their home making the race one of the City’s most highly participated and defining events.
The L.A. Marathon presented by Honda -- Sunday, March 6, 2005. In addition to American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Marathon sponsors include American Airlines, City of Angels Medical Center, NBC4, Telemundo 52, Saucony, Sparkletts and Emerald Nuts. To date, more than 350,000 runners and walkers have participated in the L.A. Marathon. For more information, visit www.lamarathon.com or call (310) 444-5544.
(LOS ANGELES, CA: Mar 6, 2005) — As the nation’s fourth largest marathon celebrates its 20th anniversary this morning, the Los Angeles Marathon continues to introduce race-day firsts with a new “Spa On Wheels” shuttle, a fusion of ideas that blends spas, sports and a much-needed method of transportation for L.A. Marathon biathletes.
For marathoners who started their morning with the 11th annual Acura L.A. Bike Tour – a 22.7-mile leisure ride through the traffic-free streets of Los Angeles – the Spa On Wheels shuttle transported biathletes from the Acura L.A. Bike Tour finish line at University of Southern California to the Marathon start line at Figueroa Blvd and 6th Street in downtown Los Angeles.
Metropolitan Transit Authority wrapped buses transformed on event day into the Spa On Wheels shuttle. The bus exteriors feature the L.A. Marathon 2005 anniversary artwork created by presenting sponsor American Motor Honda Co. Inc., and Acura, the title sponsor of the Acura L.A. Bike Tour.
Inside, the buses reflect a serene spa-like environment created by Whole Life Consultants, a spa management and consulting firm based in Hermosa Beach, Calif. WLC operates Checkers Spa at the Hilton Checkers Hotel and the Good Samaritan Hospital in downtown Los Angeles, and the Beach House Spa at the Beach House Hotel in Hermosa Beach.
During the three-mile ride, mini neck, arm, shoulder, leg and foot massages comfort riders; also available: Sparkletts water and soothing music. In addition, re-energizing drinks and snacks such as Gatorade and Clif Bars are available on board.
The L.A. Marathon was the first to offer a pre-marathon bike ride as part of Marathon-day events, and as such, is the first Marathon with the unique challenge of transporting more than 100 biathletes. The Spa On Wheels shuttle concept came as a response to feedback from L.A. Marathon biathletes who enjoyed the challenge of completing both events, but wanted an easier option for getting from the Bike Tour finish line to the start of the Marathon.
“The L.A. Marathon and Acura L.A. Bike Tour looked to address the needs of the biathletes in not only an effective manner, but creatively as well,” says Marie Patrick co-founder and executive vice president of the L.A. Marathon. “We believe the Spa On Wheels shuttle will be a nice experience for our biathletes and hope it encourages more of our runners to participate in both events in years to come.”
“L.A. Marathon biathletes require special consideration, not only logistically, but physically because of the additional impact to their bodies,” said John Howard, three-time Olympic cyclist, world-record holder and cycling coach for the Acura L.A. Bike Tour. “I can’t think of a nicer thing to do between events for these special athletes than this new shuttle concept.”
The Acura L.A. Bike Tour begins at 6 a.m.; cyclists were scheduled to cross the finish line (with live broadcast on NBC4 in Los Angeles) beginning at 7:30 a.m. For the first time ever, the broadcast, which ends at 11 a.m., will be made available to a global audience via the World Wide Web by logging on to NBC4.tv or by linking through the L.A. Marathon Website at lamarathon.com. A Spanish-language live broadcast will take place on Telemundo 52 from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
The L.A. Marathon is the largest marathon in the state, fourth largest in the country and seventh largest in the world. It is expected to draw more than 25,000 runners from all 50 states and 80 countries. Historically, 80 percent of all participants have hailed Southern California as their home making the race one of the City’s most highly participated and defining events.
The L.A. Marathon presented by Honda -- Sunday, March 6, 2005. In addition to American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Marathon sponsors include American Airlines, City of Angels Medical Center, NBC4, Telemundo 52, Saucony, Sparkletts and Emerald Nuts. To date, more than 350,000 runners and walkers have participated in the L.A. Marathon. For more information, visit www.lamarathon.com or call (310) 444-5544.
