Press Releases

July 19, 2007 --

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

First Black Runner Finishes Seven Marathons on Seven Continents

The National Black Marathoners’ Association’s Co-Founder Goes Global

Tony Reed, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the National Black Marathoners’ Association (NBMA), has become the first Black runner to finish a marathon on all seven continents. Only about 200 people in the world have accomplished this goal. This was announced by Thom Gilligan, founder of Marathon Tours and Travel and its Seven Continents Club, a travel club for runners that offers special recognition for members who have completed seven marathons or seven half marathons on all seven continents.

The Dallas-area runner has completed eighty-seven 26.2-mile marathons, since 1982. This includes jaunts in locales as far as flung the Great Wall of China, as icy as Antarctica and as precarious as an African game park. Reed wrapped up his Seven Continents goal on June 23, 2007 at Kenya’s Safaricom Lewa Marathon.

His international finishes include: marathons in 25 States; Tailwinds Marathon (Copenhagen, Denmark); Gold Coast Marathon (Australia); Great Wall of China Marathon; Antarctic Marathon; Fin Del Mundo Marathon (Ushuaia, Argentina) and the Safaricom Lewa Marathon (Kenya).

Reed grew up in the St. Louis inner city. In 2004, he co-founded the not-for-profit, National Black Marathoners’ Association (NBMA) along with Charlotte Simmons-Foster of Atlanta. The organization’s missions are to

 “I was diagnosed with increased glucose levels but have been able to avoid full-blown diabetes by maintaining a healthy diet and by exercising,” said Reed, who has a family history of the disease.

“I also want to be an example and inspire others to set and reach goals,” said Reed, a national speaker, an IT project management consultant, and CPA. The former adjunct professor holds two masters and two bachelors degrees. The NBMA estimates that African Americans only make up one to two percent of all US marathoners.

In a Runner’s World article, he wrote, “Who have imagined that a Black, non-athletic, inner city kid from St. Louis would have run 87 marathons in 25 States and seven continents, including Antarctica?” Reflecting on the final jewel in his seven continents quest, he went on to say, “The Safaricom Marathon was the first race I have ever been in where I did not feel like a minority.”

For more information on the NBMA, please visit www.BlackMarathoners.org. For more information on Tony Reed, CPA, please visit www.AchievementEquation.com or call (214) 264-1379.  

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May 17, 2007 -- 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The National Black Marathoners' Association (NBMA) Selects the Seventh Annual Lost Dutchman Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 8K Trail Run, and 2-Mile Run/Walk for its 2008 Event.

The National Black Marathoners' Association has selected the Seventh Annual Lost Dutchman Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 8K Trail Run, and 2-Mile Run/Walk for our 2008 Event (www.lostdutchmanmarathon.org). This event was identified as one of the 12 best little marathons in the USA by Runner's World in 2005. It will be held on Sunday, February 17, 2008 near Phoenix, AZ.

Tony Reed, NBMA's Executive Director, says, "We are very excited about running this scenic course and having a great, fun-filled weekend. They offer a variety of events and distances for our runners and walkers."

Grady McEachern, the Lost Dutchman's Race Director, says, "We are very excited about the prospect of having hundreds of Black American runners converging on Apache Junction, Gold Canyon, and the east valley from all over the country to participate in our events. The National Black Marathoner's Association is the largest organization to commit to our race in the 7 years of our existence. We will be making every effort to ensure a pleasant and exciting experience for the NBMA members during their stay here. We are grateful NBMA has chosen our event and will work hard to produce quality races that will exceed their expectations."

The National Black Marathoners' Association Mission

The National Black Marathoners' Association (NBMA) is a not-for-profit organization. It is open to everyone, regardless of your athletic ability or previous marathon experience. Our objectives are to

For More Information Contact:

National Black Marathoners' Association
PO Box 180912
Dallas, TX 75218-0912
Phone: 1-214-264-1379
Email: NBMAInfo@BlackMarathoners.org
Website: www.BlackMarathoners.org

Lost Dutchman Marathon, Inc.
PO Box 6417
Apache Junction, AZ 85278
Hotline: 480-983-1500
Email: gmceach@msn.com
Website: www.lostdutchmanmarathon.org

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July 20, 2006 -- 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National Black Marathoners' Association

Announces the 2006 Scholarship Winners

The National Black Marathoners' Association is pleased to announce that Deborah Boone and Tiffany Guerra both of Fort Worth, TX and Teanna Medina of University City, MO have been awarded scholarships for the 2006/2007 academic year.

Deborah Evon Boone

Ms. Boone is a graduate of Fossil Ridge High School of the Keller Independent School District. While working about 20 hours a week, she managed to run track and cross-country, work as an editor on the student newspaper, and serve in the National Honor Society. When not in school, she’s involved in community outreach programs, such as Sidewalk Sunday School. She is planning to attend Hampton University in Hampton, VA this fall.

Tiffany Guerra

Ms. Guerra is a graduate of Diamond Hill Jarvis High School of the Ft. Worth Independent School District. In addition to participating in track, cross-country, and volleyball, she was a member of the National Honor Society. She also served as Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer of the school’s Church Youth Council and was active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. When she’s not involved in school activities, she held a part-time job while being involved in church and community activities. She is planning to attend Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth, TX this fall.

Teanna Medina

Ms. Medina is a graduate of University City Senior High School. She’s participated in cross-country, track, and wrestling. In addition to being a National Honor Society member, she’s worked on the yearbook staff, helped with diversity programs, and participated in a number of community service projects. These program involved working with mentally challenged adults and educating youth about social injustices. She managed to perform these services while working part time. She is planning to attend the University of Missouri in Columbia this fall.

Again, we’d like to take this opportunity to recognize these students’ accomplishments and hope that they are equally successful in college.

The National Black Marathoners' Association Mission

The National Black Marathoners' Association (NBMA) is a not-for-profit organization. It is open to everyone, regardless of your athletic ability or previous marathon experience. Our objectives are to

- Encourage Black Americans and others to pursue a healthy life-style through long distance running and walking.
- Serve as a vehicle for Black American distance runners across the nation to meet in mass at a single marathon.
- Provide scholarships to deserving high school boy and girl distance runners. Donations for the scholarship fund may be made at http://www.blackmarathoners.org/.

For More Information Contact:

National Black Marathoners' Association
PO Box 700101
Dallas, TX 75370-0101
Phone: 1-214-264-1379
Internet: NBMAInfo@BlackMarathoners.org  

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