Dear skaters,

I am well aware that for most of you guys the skating season is (unfortunately) finished in late September, I however would like to take the opportunity to arise special attention to our skate event, the K2 Cologne Skate Marathon (officially in German: K2 Inlinemarathon Köln) on October 03, 2010 - our national holiday - in Cologne.

Not only are we famous for our big cathedral and Christmas markets! Next to the Dutch-German border we also organize Germany's second biggest and very popular skate marathon with about 1,800 entrants from over 30 nations in Cologne (Keulen).
- About 500,000 crazy spectators line up along the 42km round course, cheer for and motivate all participants like top stars. Skating through these crowds make you feel like Tour de France bikers ascending to L'Alpe d'Huëz!
- Due to the GERMAN INLINE CUP (GIC) final status almost all German and also some well-known international (also Dutch/Belgian) teams and skaters will be present and fight for the title. This year's top athletes' starter field is the best, most international and most numerous in our history! We expect a spectacular and fast race including a sprint finish.
- The price money is EUR 5,000 in total (EUR 2,500 each for women and men): #1 EUR 1,000.00 - #2 EUR 625.00 - #3 EUR 375.00 - #4 EUR 250.00 - #5 EUR 150.00 - #6 EUR 100.00. We further tribute the fastest fitness skaters.
- The national federation's CLASS=B licensing ensures corresponding quality standards as concerns safety, constitution, and measurement of the course, technical equipment of the event, chronometry, medical assistance as well as supervision of maximal course distances for the age classes.
- Our starting procedure is according to best times only and ensures a quick and safe kick-off. Fitness and recreational skaters will have their own starting blocks, starts, ranking, and post-event tribute.
- Refreshments along the course and food and beverages in the post-finish area are unique in Germany and diversified.
- The starting and finish areas are next to each other and easily accessible by car, train, and airport.

The current single-person registration fee is EUR 55.00 through July 31, 2010. A group registration exceeding 10 persons reduces the fee to extremely low EUR 45.00 per person. You find this group registration form attached to this email. Please revert it completely filled in prior to July 31, 2010.

Further information on our race can be gathered at www.koeln-marathon.de/85-1-information.html (in English) or www.koeln-marathon.de/skating (in German). Last year's video is at http://www.koeln-marathon.de/288-0-videogalerie-inline.html.

So why not prolongate your skating season to October 03, 2010? I hope to see most of you guys on our national holiday in Cologne! :o)