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Published: January 02, 2008
Central Minnesota will kick off the summer with its first marathon.
About 22 runners already have registered for the Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon,
according to Sharon Hobbs, race director. The race will be May 10, and will
follow the Lake Wobegon Regional Trail from Holdingford to St. Joseph.
"People are excited about it," Hobbs said. "They all think it's
a cool idea."
The marathon is sponsored by St. Cloud River Runners. It has been advertised
for five weeks, Hobbs said. Race registration will be capped at 50 entrants
this year, she said.
Hobbs thought about starting a marathon for a while, she said. A friend then
recommended mapping a marathon's 26 miles along the trail.
The marathon will be contained to the trail, Hobbs said. Water stations and
spectator areas will be scattered throughout the trail, she said.
"This year, I just wanted to keep it simple," Hobbs said.
The River Runners hopes the marathon will promote running, Hobbs said. The
group also puts on the Granite City 5K each August.
"It builds some excitement," Hobbs said. "It promotes running
as a healthy activity, running as a competitive sport and it promotes a
healthy community."
The Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon will be an annual event, Hobbs said. She would
like to see the marathon grow to between 100-200 entrants, she said.
Organizers hope the marathon will be certified by USA Track & Field, the
governing board for track and field, long-distance running and race walking in
the United States.
"I want to do it right," Hobbs said. "I want it to run
smoothly."
IF YOU GO ...
What: Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon.
When: May 10. Where: Lake Wobegon Regional Trail. Cost: $25 until April 1 and $45 after April 1. Details: www.scrr.org. |