Marathons fuel solid growth of 'half' events (Detroit Free Press)
http://www.freep.com/sports/othersports/run4e_20050504.htm
May 4, 2005
BY DOUG KURTIS
FREE PRESS COLUMNIST
As a debut event last year, the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank half-marathon climbed to the American top 40 for total finishers. Without a registration cap this year, the numbers might double from last year's 2,278.
Tremendous growth in half-marathons is coming with their additions to full marathon events, with some exceptions. Last week's Kentucky Derby half-marathon is an example of the opposite. It began as a half-marathon 32 years ago and teamed up with a marathon in 2002. Almost 6,000 runners and walkers finished the half last week, but just 562 completed the marathon.
Only two other half-marathons are larger than Louisville's, and they stand alone without a marathon. Virginia Beach, Va., is home to one of the newest Rock and Roll events. Last year, almost 13,000 finished the race.
Like other Rock and Roll theme events, Virginia Beach offers runners a full weekend package that includes concerts and a finish-line beach party. Plus, the course includes 14 entertainment stages and 16 cheering squads.
The kingpin of U.S. half-marathons is the Indy Mini-Marathon. The race derives star power from its association with the 500 Festival, a month-long schedule of events and pageantry leading up to the Indianapolis 500, which is part of the course.
Downtown Indianapolis is clean, fun and an interesting place to visit. The start and finish areas are walking distance from the hotels, making the out-of-town runners' experience relatively stress free.
More than 30,000 runners are signed up for Saturday's sold-out event. As a participant myself, I haven't seen another race with more entertainment on its course. Far more than 100 performers keep you on a high-energy level throughout the route.
West-side neighborhoods (and potential spectators) tune into the event before it happens. The 500 Festival, in coordination with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, supports efforts on one of the largest neighborhood beautification projects in the city. About 200 volunteers clear trash, brush and other items found on the mini-marathon course.
Detroit, like Disney World and Grandma's marathons, takes advantage of operations already in place for the main event. It's a win/win situation for everyone. Sponsors get more exposure, organizer efforts are rewarded by increased participation, and spectators become part of something that has significance.
The Detroit-Windsor course also offers a visual spectacle few races can match. So it makes sense that many runners would gravitate to an event that has all the excitement of a full marathon. If you want to find other half-marathons and become part of a Web-based competition, go to www.Half2Run.com.
Contact DOUG KURTIS at dkurtis@earthlink.com. The Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon will be Oct. 23.
May 4, 2005
BY DOUG KURTIS
FREE PRESS COLUMNIST
As a debut event last year, the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank half-marathon climbed to the American top 40 for total finishers. Without a registration cap this year, the numbers might double from last year's 2,278.
Tremendous growth in half-marathons is coming with their additions to full marathon events, with some exceptions. Last week's Kentucky Derby half-marathon is an example of the opposite. It began as a half-marathon 32 years ago and teamed up with a marathon in 2002. Almost 6,000 runners and walkers finished the half last week, but just 562 completed the marathon.
Only two other half-marathons are larger than Louisville's, and they stand alone without a marathon. Virginia Beach, Va., is home to one of the newest Rock and Roll events. Last year, almost 13,000 finished the race.
Like other Rock and Roll theme events, Virginia Beach offers runners a full weekend package that includes concerts and a finish-line beach party. Plus, the course includes 14 entertainment stages and 16 cheering squads.
The kingpin of U.S. half-marathons is the Indy Mini-Marathon. The race derives star power from its association with the 500 Festival, a month-long schedule of events and pageantry leading up to the Indianapolis 500, which is part of the course.
Downtown Indianapolis is clean, fun and an interesting place to visit. The start and finish areas are walking distance from the hotels, making the out-of-town runners' experience relatively stress free.
More than 30,000 runners are signed up for Saturday's sold-out event. As a participant myself, I haven't seen another race with more entertainment on its course. Far more than 100 performers keep you on a high-energy level throughout the route.
West-side neighborhoods (and potential spectators) tune into the event before it happens. The 500 Festival, in coordination with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, supports efforts on one of the largest neighborhood beautification projects in the city. About 200 volunteers clear trash, brush and other items found on the mini-marathon course.
Detroit, like Disney World and Grandma's marathons, takes advantage of operations already in place for the main event. It's a win/win situation for everyone. Sponsors get more exposure, organizer efforts are rewarded by increased participation, and spectators become part of something that has significance.
The Detroit-Windsor course also offers a visual spectacle few races can match. So it makes sense that many runners would gravitate to an event that has all the excitement of a full marathon. If you want to find other half-marathons and become part of a Web-based competition, go to www.Half2Run.com.
Contact DOUG KURTIS at dkurtis@earthlink.com. The Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon will be Oct. 23.
posted by WalkSports.com | 1:09 PM
5 Comments:
So are you actually "in" the NY marathon via guaranteed spot or did you put your name in the lottery and are hoping? I want to do NY next year, but I thought it was like impossible to get in????
Also have you done Sunmart? Ever thought about it?
wow! I just checked for myself. You are IN! How did you do that??????
Cassie, I won a lottery spot last year for both NYC and Marine Corps. I chose the Marine Corps because of my Dad and decided to defer NYC to 2005. All I had to do was get my registration in before the May 1st deadline. It is $7 to get into the lottery otherwise. If you don't get chosen three years in a row, you are automatically in the fourth year. I have Sunmart on my calendar for one month after NYC. I'll probably forgo the 30K, do Sunmart, the Texas Marathon on 1/1/06 and perhaps Austin in mid-February.
awesome Jon!!! You got LUCKY last year! I'm going to put in for NYC in 2006 for sure and hope for the best. As for Sunmart, depending on how I feel after Marine Corps I might do it next or hold off and do Houston in January. I think it sounds like a really cool run so we'll see. Perhaps we'll both be there and can brave the trail together for a bit!
As much as I like to compete, the one thing that I'm reminded about Sunmart is that the course stays open for 11 hours to cover 50K (31+ miles). So no 6-hour clock like at hp Houston! (Which, by the way, I support.) The one thing that my club, the Striders, does well is support its club runners that do Sunmart. It is an "official" unofficial event!
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