Sports Release
September 30, 1999

ALLSUP’S/ENMU 25th ANNUAL PORTALES PAVEMENT POUNDER SET FOR OCTOBER 16
PORTALES, NM — Eastern New Mexico University and Allsup’s are set to co-sponsor the area’s most famous and respected road race for the second consecutive year. For Allsup’s the sponsorship goes back to the beginning of the first race a quarter century ago. The race is now a fixture on the yearly calendar of many residents of Roosevelt County and the region.

The Allsup’s/ENMU 25th Annual Portales Pavement Pounder will be held on Saturday, Oct. 16, with four races starting and ending at Greyhound Arena on the ENMU campus. The event continues to feature its traditional races: a half-marathon, a 10K race, a 5K race, and a 1-mile run. All races will be held in Portales, New Mexico. Organizers of the event anticipate a crowd of over 350 runners for this year’s Pavement Pounder.

The course is a flat, asphalt-surfaced loop that runs through the ENMU campus and a section of Portales. Elevation of the event is approximately 4,010 feet above sea level. The average temperature range during mid-October is 45-65 degrees Fahrenheit. “The Portales Pavement Pounder really provides great fun for both serious and not-so- serious runners,” said Rosie Stallman, ENMU Director of Athletics. “With four races, various age divisions and a course that goes through and around our campus, we think everyone who participates will have a fantastic experience.”

Medallions and finely-crafted Nambe plates will be awarded to the top three finishers, male and female, in each race and in each age group. All awards will be presented the day of the race at 11:00 a.m. in Greyhound Arena. All runners will receive specially designed, souvenir, long-sleeved t-shirts and the popular goody bags at the conclusion of their race. They will also be provided with fresh fruit, Gatorade and Pepsi.

A special tradition of the event will continue in 1999 when numerous prizes are given away to lucky registered runners following the conclusion of the races.

The Pavement Pounder has seven age divisions. The divisions, for both men and women are: 14 and under; 15 to 19; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60 and older.

This year’s race is particularly special because it will be the 25th running of the Pavement Pounder. The first Allsup’s Road Race was held in 1975. “We are very pleased to be a part of the Silver Anniversary of the Pavement Pounder, because it is a tribute to Allsup’s and to the runners of Eastern New Mexico and West Texas who have made it such a great event,” Stallman said.

All four races will begin at 8:00 a.m. Mountain Time from outside Greyhound Arena in Portales. Runners should be at the arena for check-in by 7:30 a.m. Aid stations will be placed at 3-mile intervals with water and Gatorade. The race offers computerized timing and results. Complete results will be mailed to all runners.

Allsup’s Convenience Stores, Inc. is proud to have teamed up with ENMU to continue the proud 25-year history of the Portales Pavement Pounder. With the support of ENMU Athletics, plus the participation of runners throughout the communities Allsup’s stores serve, the Portales Pavement Pounder will remain the premier running event in the region.

ENTRY FORMS
Interested runners may pick up entry forms at any Allsup’s store or at ENMU Athletic Department’s main office, in Greyhound Arena Room 45. Completed entry forms and a check for $15.00 per entry payable to ENMU Athletics should be mailed to Portales Pavement Pounder, ENMU, Station 17, Portales, NM 88130.

REGISTRATION FEES
Registration fees are $15.00 per person, with the proceeds benefiting ENMU’s Athletic programs.

PRE-RACE PACKETS
Runners may pick up their pre-race packets only at Greyhound Arena Room 45 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Friday, October 15 or at registration tables in the Arena Lobby from 6:00 a.m. through 7:30 a.m. the day of the race (Saturday, October 16).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
To obtain additional information, call the ENMU Athletic Office at (505) 562-2153.

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES
Allsup’s and ENMU invite and encourage coverage of the Portales Pavement Pounder. Interviews with runners and organizers, as well as photo opportunities, will be available.