FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2005
Contact: Dave Wellman, Director of Communications (304) 696-7153
 

Thirty-three states represented in 2nd annual Marshall Marathon

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – More than 300 runners and walkers representing 33 states have signed up to participate in the 2nd annual Marshall University Marathon presented by HealthyHuntington.org, race director Tom Dannals said today.

The marathon begins at 8 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 13 on 3rd Avenue between the main entrance of Cam Henderson Center and the Marshall parking garage. It ends 26 miles, 385 yards later on the playing field at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. The course goes through downtown Huntington near Pullman Square and along the Ohio River, extends west to Westmoreland and goes through Ritter Park. A course map is available at www.healthyhuntington.org.

“The course is flat and fast and USATF (USA Track & Field) certified,” Dannals said. “A number of people qualified for the Boston Marathon with their times in our marathon.”

People are still signing up, Dannals said. Registering in advance online at www.active.com is preferred and ongoing through Nov. 11, he said. The entry fee to run in the marathon is $40, to run in the marathon relay is $20, and to take part in the non-competitive half-marathon walk is $15. It also is less expensive than registering in writing. Written registration costs $20 extra for the marathon, $10 extra for the relay and $5 extra for the walk.

Late registration is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at Huntington Physical Therapy, which is located at 2240 5th Ave. Participants from New York to Hawaii already have registered, Dannals said.

“This is an event to promote a healthier lifestyle in West Virginia,” Dannals, a family practice physician, said. “What are we not proud of? We’re in the top three in the country in strokes, heart disease, obesity, dental cavities, etc. Too many people are not exercising. We need to change that.”

Tom Dannals’ wife, Beth, also is involved in coordinating the marathon as director of volunteers. She is trying to recruit at least 400 volunteers to work the event. Anyone wanting to volunteer may do so by contacting the Huntington YMCA, signing up online at www.healthyhuntington.org, or calling Beth Dannals at (304) 736-1502.

All runners and walkers in the event will receive a long-sleeved t-shirt, with their requested size guaranteed if they register by Oct. 31. Also, participants who finish will receive a specially designed medal.

Relays will consist of two or three people running legs of 9.2, 12.5 and 4.5 miles. An award will be given to the team with the best name as determined by the race committee. Overall prizes will be awarded to the top three men and women finishers and the top three wheelchair entrants. Age group awards also will be given.

HealthyHuntington.org is a subsidiary of the Huntington YMCA dedicated to bringing the HealthierUS Initiative to the tri-state area.

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