LAS VEGAS, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- History will be made at this weekend's New Las Vegas Marathon when runners will not only be able to run the world Famous Las Vegas Strip for the first time, but they will be part of the only marathon in the nation in which you can place a bet. In order to bring an unprecedented level of excitement to the race, bettors will be able to wage on the winner of "The Challenge," the top male and female professional runners.

This Friday at 1:00 p.m. at the Professional Runners News Conference, the New Las Vegas Marathon will announce the time differential for "The Challenge." The Challenge is an L.A. Marathon innovation in which the Professional Women Runners start the race in advance of the Professional Men. Historic statistics of this year's field of professional runners will determine the time differential. The first runner to cross the Finish Line wins a $50,000 first place cash prize and a $50,000 bonus for winning "The Challenge."

Fans can place bets on the New Las Vegas Marathon starting this afternoon at Mandalay Bay.

"This is a very exciting development that speaks to the quality of our professional runners and instantly establishes the New Las Vegas Marathon as a serious race," said New Las Vegas Marathon President William A. Burke.

About the New Las Vegas Marathon

The New Las Vegas Marathon, a Devine Racing event, will debut December 4, 2005 as the first marathon in history to run the world famous Las Vegas Strip. The race will begin at 6 a.m. in front of Race Headquarters Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, with a spectacular display of fireworks and Elvis singing "Viva Las Vegas." The race will take place on a fast, flat course under ideal conditions with a start line temperature of 50 degrees. The race will be broadcast live on KLAS-CBS in Las Vegas.

About Devine Racing

Committed to the celebration of individual accomplishment, Devine Racing was created to bring a new level of quality and professionalism to amateur road racing events -- delivering the highest level of professional service in the industry for participants, sponsors and the communities where races are held. In the process of building its national footprint, Devine Racing currently owns the City of Los Angeles Marathon, the New Las Vegas Marathon, the Salt Lake City Marathon, the Chicago Half Marathon and the Chicago BIG 10K.

CONTACT: Laurence Cohen of TLC MediaWorks, +1-310-980-7788; or Lee Haney
of Rogich Communications, +1-702-796-1773, both for New Las Vegas Marathon