NYC & Company Announces First-Ever NYC Urban Race On Saturday, September 25, 2010

NYC & COMPANY ANNOUNCES FIRST-EVER NYC URBAN RACE ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2010

Registration Begins April 27 for New York City’s First Official Urban Race, Incorporating Iconic City Landmarks and Customized Obstacles

New York, NY (April 27, 2010) — NYC & Company, New York City's official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, today announced that the City's first-ever NYC Urban Race will take place on Saturday, September 25, 2010. The race's innovative course will celebrate New York City's distinctive appeal by integrating its iconic landmarks throughout the approximately eight-mile course, which will weave in and out of Manhattan's breathtaking waterfront. Registration for the race begins April 27 and is open to the public.

"Whether you're a trained athlete or just a lover of this great City, the NYC Urban Race is an incredible opportunity to experience New York City in a way that nobody has experienced it before while engaging in friendly athletic competition," said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. "We're so pleased to add this new sporting event to the City's robust calendar, and we look forward to seeing all 3,000 NYC Urban Race participants at the starting line on September 25."

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and will close once all 3,000 spots are filled. Participants can sign up as individuals or in teams of two. Early registration fees (through June) are $100 for individuals and $150 for teams. Starting on July 1, registration fees will increase to $115 for individuals and $175 for teams. The NYC Urban Race was designed to accommodate runners of varying levels of experience and ability. Those interested in participating can register at nycurbanrace.com, which will soon also provide training tips, special offers and details about the race and post-race celebrations. People are encouraged to continue to check the site for new updates leading up to the event. Participants also can follow the NYC Urban Race on Twitter at twitter.com/nycurbanrace and on Facebook at facebook.com/nycurbanrace.

The course, designed by Relay Worldwide in partnership with Trans-Global Group, will begin in Riverside Park and continue along the West Side bike path before finishing in downtown Manhattan, where a public post-race festival will celebrate the athletes' accomplishments with live music, food and a sponsor village. Along the course, racers will encounter several challenging custom-made obstacles designed specifically to reflect New York City's urban landscape.

"The NYC Urban Race is the first major sporting event produced through the sports marketing group at NYC & Company, and we're thrilled that a race that so brilliantly integrates the City's celebrated landscape is the inaugural event to come out of our division," said Andrew Gould, senior vice president of sports marketing at NYC & Company. "The demand for a race of this nature in New York City has been unbelievable, and I have no doubt that it, as well as the other sporting events we plan to bring to New York City, will strengthen our position as a top destination for athletes and sports enthusiasts."

NYC & Company's sports marketing group was formed in the December 2008 integration of the New York City Sports Commission under the NYC & Company umbrella. This integration has allowed the group to enhance the level of support that the Sports Commission had provided to the local sports community in addition to the creation of original sporting events that can increase visibility and generate revenue on behalf of the City.

About NYC & Company:

NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide.

About Relay Worldwide | MS&LGroup:

Relay Worldwide is part of MS&LGroup, a leading global PR and events firm offering the best in public relations, direct marketing, social media, real-time communications and corporate and events communication. Operating in wholly owned and affiliate offices in more than 80 countries spanning the Americas, EMEA and Asia, our diverse team of experts listens, researches and creates provocative campaigns that build powerful brands, engage consumers, protect reputations and rally employees. MS&LGroup provides many of the world's largest companies and most recognized brands with best-in-class communication strategies to help them reach their business and communication goals. MS&LGroup is part of Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris: FR0000130577], the world's third-largest communications group. In addition, it is ranked as the world's second-largest media agency, and is a global leader in digital and health-care communications.