<p>From the cruise line that first introduced the active cruise vacation  concept, Royal Caribbean International today announced the first-ever Royal 5K to be held in St. Maarten, on Thursday, December 16, 2010.&nbsp; Open to guests sailing aboard <em>Allure of the Seas&rsquo;</em> December 12, 2010 voyage, <span></span>fellow running enthusiasts can enjoy a seven-night Eastern Caribbean  cruise aboard Royal Caribbean International&rsquo;s newest ship; and opt for  an entire week of exclusive, vitality-themed activities, including port  explorations through group fun runs, onboard seminars and lectures with  high-profile athletes; and jog, sprint or walk a magnificent  five-kilometre course, taking participants through one of the  Caribbean&rsquo;s island jewels.&nbsp; There is a $50 registration fee for adults,  and $35 for children, for booked guests who sign up onboard and in  advance at http://www.RoyalCaribbean.com/Royal5K.&nbsp;  Participating guests also will receive a commemorative race t-shirt, as  well as exclusive access to a post-race reception on board.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Royal Caribbean is delighted to offer this very special Royal 5K run in St. Maarten to <em>Allure of the Seas&rsquo;</em> guests,&rdquo; said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president, Hotel Operations,  Royal Caribbean International.&nbsp; &ldquo;As part of our commitment to provide  guests healthier vacation options, we look for opportunities like these  to enhance our Vitality programming onboard and drive awareness of a  health-conscious lifestyle. Coupled with an unprecedented line-up of new  entertainment aboard <em>Allure of the Seas</em>, guests on this sailing will have a wide spectrum of exciting and heart-pumping options for an amazing cruise vacation.&rdquo;</p>
<p>While the Royal 5K will be offered exclusively as a shore excursion on <em>Allure of the Seas</em>,  all guests aboard the sailing have the chance to set the first Royal  Caribbean jogging track record.&nbsp; Guests are invited to sign up in  advance for a time slot on Tuesday, December 14, to test their running  speed.&nbsp;&nbsp; Certified with RFID timing technology, they can attempt to set  the cruise line&rsquo;s record for the fastest run at sea on <em>Allure of the Seas&rsquo; </em>0.46-mile long jogging track<em>, </em>the longest at sea.</p>
<p>Royal 5K participants also will be able to attend onboard seminars  and receptions featuring running talents including Bart Yasso, the chief  running officer of <em>Runner&rsquo;s World</em> magazine; Frank Shorter, an  Olympic Marathon Gold and Silver Medalist; Sonja Friend-Uhl, a member of  seven U.S. world teams, 2000 Olympic trials competitor in the 1500m,  and currently ranked in the top 24 women in the U.S. for distances from  the 5k to the Half-Marathon; and Sean Jefferson, an NCAA All American,  1600m National Champion and professional runner and tri-athlete.</p>
<p><em>Allure of the Seas</em> shares the title of the world&rsquo;s largest and most revolutionary cruise ship with sister-ship <em>Oasis of the Seas</em>.  An architectural marvel at sea, she will span 16 decks, encompass  225,282 gross registered tons, carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy,  and feature 2,700 staterooms.&nbsp; <em>Allure of the Seas</em> will tout  Royal Caribbean&rsquo;s exclusive neighborhood concept of seven distinct  themed areas, which will include Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal  Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness  Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone.&nbsp; The ship will alternate a  Western Caribbean with an Eastern Caribbean seven-night itinerary from  her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.&nbsp; Additional  information is available at www.AllureoftheSeas.com</p>