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Saint Paul Hosts Several Unique Sporting Events in August
(Saint Paul, MN) Saint Paul may be Tourney Town in March, but August is shaping up to be an equally impressive Marathon Month for sporting events. The Saint Paul RiverCentre Convention and Visitors Authority (RCVA) will welcome thousands of visitors to town for the inaugural 5K *Run with the Celts* as a part of Irish Fair of Minnesota on August 12, Saint Paul's Xcel Energy Center will host USA Gymnastics most prestigious event, the 2006 VISA Championships, from August 16-19, and the third annual Saint Paul Inline Marathon on Sunday, August 20. Visitors to all three events will also be able to take advantage of the Upper Midwest debut of Gunther von Hagens' BODY WORLDS: The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies which runs through Labor Day at the Science Museum of Minnesota. *Run with the Celts, is a 5K run that will take place on Harriet Island Saturday morning, August 12 at 10 am. A 1K Family Fun-Run/Walk precedes the Run with the Celts* at 9:30 am. Proceeds from both events will go to the new Irish Legacy Fund, a grant program which benefits various Irish cultural groups and non-Irish immigrant groups in Minnesota. Registration is available on-line at www.irishfair.com or on-site at Harriet Island on race day. The free Irish Fair of Minnesota runs August 11-13 and also features musical entertainment, dance, food, culture and Irish sports including Gaelic football, rugby, hurling, boxing and heavy sports. Saint Paul's Xcel Energy Center will host the 2006 VISA Championships from August 16-19. The Visa Championships determines the national champion for men's and women's artistic and rhythmic gymnastics each year. Several public events featuring past and present gymnastics champions will take place during the run of the competition. To inquire about tickets for the VISA Championships visit www.xcelenergycenter.com. The third annual Saint Paul Inline Marathon is run along some of the most beautiful stretchs of the Mississippi River in the country. The race begins downtown and follows the Saint Paul riverfront along Shepard and Warner roads, circling back through the downtown streets to the finish line in Mears Park. Celebrities on skates are expected to include Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and Governor Tim Pawlenty. The 26.2 mile marathon will begin at 7:00 am and is expected to take the fastest skaters about an hour. An optional 10 mile course will begin at the same time. The Saint Paul Inline Marathon is suitable for skaters from all walks of life. Skaters range in age from 13 to over 80 and the event draws participants from over 30 states and seven countries. Organizers anticipate a field of about 2000 skaters. A preliminary celebration will take place in Mears Park on Saturday, August 19 at 7 pm. The event will feature Olympic speed skating champions, world class roller skating champions and members of the Minnesota RollerGirls Roller Derby team. Participants can register on-line at www.stpaulinlinemarathon.com. The registration fee is $95 for the full marathon or $50 for the 10-mile tour. Registrations will be accepted through August 14. For more information or to view a course map please visit the website.