2012 Olympic Trials People’s Contest
Contest tied to Olympic Trials with People's Party at Wild Duck Cafe
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Today marks the first day of competition at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Track & Field - Team Trials, when athletes in the Hammer Throw take to the cage to see who will punch their ticket to London. In honor of this 11-day track-apolooza, ending Sunday, July 1, we've launched the Bring Back the Mile "People's Contest". The Grand Prize winner will take home a special Mile Legends package including an exclusive Jim Ryun autographed "I Am the Mile" t-shirt and one-of-a-kind signed items for BBTM by Don Bowden, the first American to break four minutes in the Mile, and Mile great Marty Liquori. Four runner-ups will receive a BBTM Lap 3 VIP membership package.
In addition, in partnership with VS Athletics, we will have a special BBTM banner up at the Wild Duck Cafe, the site of the week long "People's Party", for anyone to sign with their name and Mile PR. This Saturday, June 23, also marks Milers night at the Wild Duck, which includes an "unofficial" meeting of the USA Miler's Club - started by Peter Thompson, modeled after the British Milers Club.
"For BBTM's mission to replace the 1600 meters at High School State Championship Meets with the Mile and to return the iconic distance to prominence on the American sports and cultural landscape, we need two key components," said Ryan Lamppa, BBTM Founder. "One, we need the support of both past and present Mile greats as well as the Mile events, who to-date have really stepped up for our campaign, and two, we need the support of the people – athletes, coaches, fans and officials – at the grassroots level. This contest is about building off the early success of our movement launched five months ago and adding to this foundation with people across America."
To enter the BBTM "People's Contest", do one of the following. Winners will be drawn randomly after July 1.
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Current Mile Maniacs: Don't do a thing; you're already registered!
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Join a BBTM Lap: No purchase required, simply join the movement for free at the Lap 1 level membership. For Lap 3 Mile Maniacs, which includes a limited edition "I AM THE MILE" t-shirt, we're offering an Olympic Trials special of $20.12 (s+h, taxes apply) through July 1.
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Sign the High School State Federation Petition: Choose your state and put your name in the books as one who wants the Mile back.
- I Am the Mile Stories: Submit a story, photograph or video on our I Am the Mile page. All submissions will receive an entry.
CONTEST PERIOD
- Start: Thursday, June 21 - Day 1 of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Track & Field - Team Trials
- Finish: Sunday, July 1 - Final day of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Track & Field - Team Trials including the 1500 meter Men's & Women's finals
PRIZES
- Grand Prize: 1 BBTM Mile Legends Prize Package (priceless) and a Lap 4 VIP membership package ($359 value)
- Runner-ups: 4 BBTM Lap 3 VIP membership package ($35.94 value)
Visit www.bringbackthemile.com/jointhemovement for more information on membership levels.
The Mile holds a special place in Track & Field and beyond because no running distance, or field event for that matter, has the history, the appeal, the “magic” of the Mile. The first sub-4 minute mile by Great Britain’s Roger Bannister in 1954 is regarded as the greatest individual athletic achievement of the 20th century (see Forbes November 18, 2005 article HERE), and no other event has produced an equivalent of the sub-4 minute Mile standard in the sport, in the media and in the public’s mind.
Over the past decade, unfortunately, the Mile has lost some of its luster, and the Bring Back the Mile mission is: To return the Mile to prominence on the American sports and cultural landscape by elevating and celebrating the Mile to create a national movement.
Visit www.bringbackthemile.com or contact media@bringbackthemile.com for more information.
