Mike Huckabee presented with official race number

Mike Huckabee was presented today with his official race number for the ING New York City Marathon at a news conference at the state Capital. The governor will join nearly 35,000 other runners in the 26.2 mile event on Nov 5, 2006. Race organizers presented the governor with number 110.

"We salute the Governor for putting his life on a new road to happiness and health and to help celebrate his new life by presenting him with his official ING NYC Marathon bib number 110 to reflect the number of pounds he has lost in the last few years," said Mary Wittenberg, President and CEO of the New York Road Runners and race director of ING New York City Marathon.

"I've run in New York City many times and I've loved it, but the thought of crossing the finish line in Central Park with thousands of cheering spectators is something I'm excited to be a part of," said Gov. Huckabee.

This will be the governor's fourth marathon, and he's hoping to set another personal record. In March of 2005, he completed the Little Rock Marathon with a time of 4 hours 38 minutes and 32 seconds, in October of 2005 he ran the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. in 4 hours 37 minutes and 29 seconds, and in March of 2006, the governor ran the Little Rock Marathon with a time of 4 hours 26 minutes and 5 seconds.

Organisers of the ING New York City Marathon say their race is a celebration of life at its finest, with tens of thousands of runners striving to overcome hurdles and achieve great personal goals, using the support of millions of spectators. "At New York Road Runners we passionately believe that we can help change people's lives through running and Governor Huckabee is a shining example of the power of running," said Wittenberg.

Gov. Huckabee was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes in 2003 and doctors encouraged him to get his weight and health under control. The Governor lost 110 pounds, began exercising and has served as an example to others about healthy living. As Chairman of the National Governors Association, he promoted the importance of eating right, exercising and quitting smoking.

"I didn't start out with a goal of running a marathon, I had a goal to make a healthy change in my life," Huckabee said. "Now each marathon I run is a chance to prove something to myself while encouraging others to take control of their health."

Other dignitaries running in this years race include former University of Arkansas Lady Razorback and Olympic Marathon Bronze Medalist Deena Kastor and seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong.