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St. Cloud River Runners Present… |
RIVER RUNNERS SET UP MARATHONBy Amy Bowen 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. |