Missoula will be home to the second Missoula Marathon on Sunday, July 13, and to get more runners than last year organizers have come up with an idea that might just settle their race nerves.
To inspire more registrations Southgate Mall is helping the Missoula Marathon reach its goal of 2,008 runners for its 2008 race by offering a very attractive incentive.
All 2,008 names will placed in a bowl and the winning name will be drawn at the awards ceremony on July 13.
Race Director Jennifer Straughan is thrilled the mall has offered such generous assistance.
Last year the super-sized aid station was at the mall, but this year the course has been changed to include more of Missoula's tree-lined, shady streets and the aid station has been moved to Bonner Park.
Despite the change, Southgate Mall was nevertheless eager to be part of the race and offered the gift cards as its way to help sponsor the marathon.
“This is a great way for Southgate Mall to show its support of the Missoula Marathon and its athletes,” said Tim Winger, mall general manager. “We're glad to be part of the event and look forward to seeing the Missoula Marathon reach its goal of 2,008 participants. Plus we'll still be doing our aid station, it just won't be located at the mall.”
Last year, 1,360 people registered to run and 1,161 actually showed up and participated.
Straughan is confident race can hit its goal of 2,008 runners or more this year.
“It is not an unrealistic number because people know more about us,” she said.
Building upon last year's success, organizers have worked hard to make sure this summer's race is even better.
A pre-race expo from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 12 will be at the Caras Park Pavilion. Along with vendors, the event will be the place where every runner will pick up their race bag, including their race number and timing chip.
The winner of the mall drawing will be announced during the awards ceremony on July 13.
If racers need anymore incentive, Straughan wants to remind people the price of race registration goes up on June 1. That's when the fee for entering the Missoula Marathon rises from $60 to $70 and the Missoula Half Marathon from $45 to $55.
For more information about the Missoula Marathon, call Straughan at (406) 214-7140 or log on to www.runwildmissoula.com.
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