New York, April 1, 2014—Olympic medalist and American record-holder Deena Kastor, will compete in the 11th Annual More Magazine/Fitness Magazine Women’s Half Marathon on Sunday, April 13, it was announced today by New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.

“Deena is such an inspiring role model for the empowerment that women are able to demonstrate through running,” said Wittenberg. “The More/Fitness Half-Marathon is an amazing event.  To have Deena on hand, defending her title during another record-setting year, will be the highlight of the race weekend.”

The More Magazine/Fitness Magazine Women’s Half-Marathon is the largest all-women’s half-marathon in the country. More than 20,000 race participants and spectators are expected to be welcomed to New York City’s Central Park. The 13.1-mile race attracts women runners and walkers of all ages. Online registration is still open; runners are encouraged to apply here as soon as possible, as the event is nearing capacity.

Kastor, 41, of Mammoth Lakes, CA, is the event’s defending champion, having won last year in an event record time of 1:13:25. She is one of America’s greatest and most decorated distance runners, holding more than 10 U.S. open and masters’ road-running records, ranging from the 5K to the marathon. She was the champion of the Rock ’n’ Roll Dallas Half-Marathon on March 15, which she completed in 1:11:57. Kastor shattered two American masters records during the race, covering 10 miles in 55:13 and 20 kilometers in 1:08:19.

Kastor will be participating in a live Twitter chat today, April 1, at 4:00 p.m. EDT, from her handle @deenakastor. Runners and fans can post questions for her by using the hashtag #morefitnesshalf.

“I am so excited to return to New York for the More/Fitness Half,” said Kastor. “As I look forward to defending my title there, I am more excited to be a part of the entire weekend, as it’s truly a celebration of women, health, and fitness. This event, over any other that I am a part of throughout the year, is like a girlfriends’ weekend in which we support each other’s dreams and ambitions through the sport of running. Everyone involved—sponsors, vendors, organizers, volunteers, and participants—is empowered by the enthusiasm and magnitude of women taking over Central Park.”

Hoda Kotb, Co-Host, Fourth Hour of “Today” and Correspondent, “Dateline NBC,” will serve as the event’s host.

To kick off the race, Kotb will be joined by More magazine Editor-in-Chief Lesley Jane Seymour, FITNESS magazine Editor-in-Chief Betty Wong and thousands of women to honor the winners of the first-ever Women Run the World™ Essay Contest, celebrating five women who shared their stories of triumph and accomplishment in the face of adversity.

Athleta and Skechers are the presenting sponsors, Duane Reade and Tonalin are the official product sponsors, CARE and Girls on the Run NYC are the charitable partners, AmLactin is an Expo Sponsor and The Better Show is the official media partner.

The event weekend kicks off on Friday, April 11^, with a two-day Health & Wellness Expo at New York City’s Metropolitan Pavilion (125 West 18th Street), where runners will pick up their numbers and information packets and where they can participate in various health-oriented activities, including consulting with running experts and meeting magazine editors. The two-day Expo is free to the public and features health screenings, fitness seminars, food and product sampling, shopping, sweepstakes, and more.

The half-marathon will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 13, on Central Park’s West Drive near 63rd Street. For more race details, please visit here.

About More Magazine

Launched in September 1998, critically acclaimed More is the only lifestyle publication that celebrates women of style and substance. More is the leading voice of women enjoying the richest years of their lives, sharing the latest on beauty, fashion, health, career, finance, travel and culture. More serves a community of affluent, influential women interested in reinventing themselves and their world. More is published 10 times a year by Meredith Corporation with a rate base of 1.3 million and readership of more than two million. More was named 2006 Magazine of the Year by Ad Age and also landed on the publication’s “A List” of Top 10 magazines in 2007, 2005 and 2003. Also, Adweek named More to its 2006 “Hot List,” Capell’s Circulation Report honored More as one of the Top 10 Newsstand Performers in 2006, while Media named More the “Best Women’s Lifestyle Magazine” of 2004. Additional information may be found online: www.more.com | Facebook: Facebook.com/moremagazine | Twitter: @moremag | Pinterest: Pinterest.com/moremagazine | Instagram: Instagram.com/moremag.

About FITNESS Magazine

Launched in 1992, FITNESS magazine is a leading source for all the latest news on health, nutrition and exercise. FITNESS motivates women to move—for fun, for health, for life. With workouts and diet plans that get results, plus inspiring beauty and health tips, FITNESS empowers women to be fierce about reaching for and achieving body success, however they define it. FITNESS is published 10 times a year by Meredith Corporation [NYSE: MDP], with a rate base of 1.5 million and an audience of 7.3 million readers. Additional information may be found online: www.fitnessmagazine.com | Facebook: Facebook.com/fitnessmag | Twitter: @fitnessmagazine | Instagram: Instagram.com/fitnessmagazine.

About NYRR

Founded in 1958, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization, whose mission is to help and inspire people through running. NYRR’s commitment to New York City’s five boroughs features races, community events, youth initiatives, school programs, and training resources that provide hundreds of thousands of people each year, from children to seniors, with the motivation, know-how, and opportunity to run for life. NYRR’s premier event, the TCS New York City Marathon, features an estimated 47,500-50,000 participants, from the world’s elite athletes to a wide range of recreational and charity runners, and is part of the World Marathon Majors, an alliance of the world’s six biggest marathons that determines each year’s top male and top female marathoner. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.