Marathon takes on new route in 2008
Published Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Runners, take your marks: The countdown is on to the start of this year’s Fergus Falls Area YMCA/Lake Region Healthcare Half Marathon, 5K and 1-mile Run/Walk.
The second annual event returns June 7 with a new route.
YMCA Program Director and Race Director Tim Jensen said he designed the new 13-mile half marathon course with the city’s landmarks in mind. Those focal points include City Hall, MSCTC and the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center, among others. Jensen said he’s had multiple meetings with fire department, law enforcement and city staff to ensure the route is safe not only for runners, but for any emergency vehicles that may be on the road during the race.
Also new this year is a registration, race packet pick-up and pasta feed event at the YMCA June 6. The evening will include speaker Gerard Pearlberg, a British athlete who took up running after playing rugby internationally for many years. Pearlberg has completed roughly two dozen marathons and is a top masters track runner.
He is also the coach of several world-class runners, an author and a radio and television commentator.
Marathons are gaining in popularity, Jensen said, as evidenced in the evolution of the Fargo Marathon.
“These are events that are growing rapidly,” Jensen said. “I find it to be something we could really grab ahold of as a community.”
The half marathon already has more than 100 registrants and Jensen predicts the total will reach 200 by race day. Last year runners hailed from six states.
Jensen said the race is still in need of volunteers to work the registration table, help with the post-race meal and perform other tasks.
Anyone interested should contact Kathy Lehn, run volunteer coordinator, at 736-8191 or kmlehn@lrhc.org.
For more information about the event contact the YMCA at 739-4489 or visit www.fergusfallsymca.org.
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