*** Changes ahead for Ridge to River race ***

Wenatchee, Washington -- 08/13/2005
In a big break from tradition, the Ridge to River Relay
will hold its adult and junior races on consecutive
Saturdays next April.

The two races have been held on the same weekend since
the junior race was added in 2000. The adult race has been
a Sunday event since its inception in 1981.

The Ridge to River board made the decision Tuesday evening.

The 26th-annual adult race will be held Saturday,
April 8. The junior race will be held Saturday, April 15.

Race director Jennifer Korfiatis said about half of the adult
race’s participants are typically out-of-towners. Because
the race always has been held on Sunday, many of the athletes
are in a hurry to get home and don’t stick around for awards
ceremonies and other post-race festivities.

“We lose a lot of momentum once the race is over and people
just scatter, so we’ll have them come over on Friday and offer
them some live music or something,” Korfiatis said, predicting
participants will stick around on Saturday afternoon and evening.

Korfiatis said it’s been difficult and time consuming to tear down
all the junior race equipment and shift gears to the adult race the
following day. The junior race also has fallen on either the beginning
or end of spring break, and many kids are out of town with their
families.

Alcoa, the adult race’s major sponsor for the last two years,
has not yet signed a new deal for 2006 or beyond. Korfiatis
said Alcoa won’t make a decision until after the race board’s
September meeting. When Alcoa signed on for a two-year
sponsorship in December 2003, it paid Ridge to River $30,000.

Alcoa spokesman Jim Baxter couldn’t be reached for comment.

“I don’t necessarily feel the pressure that they haven’t re-signed,”
Korfiatis said. “I think they definitely have an interest in the
longevity of the race.”

The Wenatchee World is interested in continuing its sponsorship
of the junior race, but no decision had been made as of Wednesday,
said Steve Robinson, the newspaper’s chief operating officer.

The Ridge to River board also will have a new look heading
into 2006. There are six Ridge to River board positions to be
filled. The open positions include president, vice president,
secretary and volunteer coordinator, as well as a board liaison
spot for the junior race. Korfiatis said it’s not a case of people
jumping ship.

President Shawn Rush is resigning to spend more time with his
family. Vice President Teresa Berg is the Wenatchee School
District’s director of catering so her time for commitment has
been limited, Korfiatis said. Secretary Linda Haglund stepped
down because of her new job as executive director of the
Wenatchee Valley Sports Council.

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