Marietta to host first half marathon

“We will easily be over 200 race entries by this week. I see us reaching 300 entries,” said Coordinator Brian Anderson. “For our first year, we are extremely happy with the results.”

Anderson said runners, walkers and cyclists will be coming from Kentucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, but the largest number of athletes are from Ohio.

“To date, our reports show 26 percent of the entries are individuals 50 to 64 years of age, 24 percent are 40-49 years of age, 22 percent are 30-39 years of age, 21 percent are 18-29 years and 7 percent other,” said Anderson. “Also, it is interesting to see that 62 percent of our race participants are women.”

The marathon’s race steering committee has been preparing for the half marathon since the beginning of the summer, and now as the start date draws closer final decisions are being made for the big race.

“The planning process for this event has gone extremely well,” said Anderson. “Our committee and local authorities have worked closely to make sure this event is going to be safe for our athletes, volunteers and community.”

According to Marietta Councilwoman Cindy Oxender, the McDonald’s of Marietta, along with the Washington Community Playground committee and the City of Marietta are all organizers and sponsors of the event.

The committee is now focusing on the last finishing touches to make the road race a success, such as finalizing water stops and making sure the community knows about the road closures that will be taking place during the race.

“It is imperative our community is aware of road closures, partial road closures and possible new traffic patterns on the day of the race,” said Anderson.

According to Anderson, Glendale Road will be closed from Seventh Street to Colegate Drive. After the Colegate intersection, Glendale Road will be reduced to one lane and Ohio 60 will have a new traffic pattern.

“Safety is very important,” said Anderson. “Being our first year, we need to make sure everyone is aware of roads closures.”

The committee along with Jonathan Hupp, the city’s safety-service director, has put in a lot of time and effort to make this an enjoyable route for all participants, he said.

“We have a unique half marathon course,” said Anderson. “We wanted a course that was not boring or too easy. Our course incorporates the best of historical downtown and the breathtaking countryside.”

The route will begin and finish on Second Street by the Parking Partners lot. It will then cross over onto Putnam Street and head to Glendale Road. At the end of Glendale Road, participants will turn on County Road 375 going down Ohio 821 and Muskingum Drive. Then runners will make their way to Colegate Drive back down Glendale Road. Runners will then finish their last stretch on Putnam, finishing at the start line.

Anderson said runners have been commenting on the course being one of the most scenic courses with some challenging hills.

“After all, once you go up a hill, you get a great downhill to recover,” he said.

Not only is this a big event for the city, but all the proceeds will go to improving the Washington Community Playground beside Washington Elementary School to make it a safe environment for children..

According to Oxender, the playground is very unsafe and needs several structures replaced.

“We expect great things to come from this event,” 건마 said Anderson. “Together, our race participants, volunteers, sponsors and local authorities are making a difference in the lives of our children.”

Oxender has been gathering volunteer water teams for the 13 station stops along the race route.

“Marietta citizens are always willing to help their neighbors and a good cause,” said Oxender.

Oxender said several local families have even donated their homes and driveways as stops for the race.

“We’ll also have water stops by Campus Martius Museum who mentioned dressing up in time period clothing during the race,” she said. “We are making all stops fun and exciting for the athletes.”