VISITORS FROM 15 STATES AND CANADA WILL TRAVEL TO SPRINGFIELD FOR LINCOLN MEMORIAL HALF MARATHON
Hundreds to Run Where Lincoln Walked as Lincoln Memorial Half Marathon steps off April 5
SPRINGFIELD, IL (March 31, 2008) – At a Springfield news conference today, organizers of the Lincoln Memorial Half Marathon announced that runners from as far away as Alaska and Canada will lace up their running shoes and hit the streets of Springfield as participants in the 44th running of the event on Saturday, April 5. The race starts at 7:30 a.m. with remarks from Abraham Lincoln impersonator Michael Krebs and a musket volley from Civil War re-enactors from the 114th Regiment.
This is the second year the race will be run on a 13.1 mile course that winds through the streets of Springfield, giving runners an up-close view of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM), the Old State Capitol, Lincoln’s Home, Lincoln’s Tomb and other historic sites.
“As we prepare to celebrate the 2009 National Bicentennial of the birth of our greatest president, the Lincoln Memorial Half Marathon has become a destination race for those with an interest in Lincoln’s legacy. With the support of St. John’s Hospital, the City of Springfield, the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, the National Park Service, the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau and more than 200 volunteers, we are able to put on a world-class race that showcases the heritage of our city. We encourage local residents to line the half marathon course during the event and cheer on these athletes as they Run Where Lincoln Walked,” said Tim Butler, race director.
More than 710 runners from 15 states and Canada have already signed up for the half marathon, and over 50% of the runners are traveling more than 50 miles to run the Lincoln Memorial. With registration open until one half-hour before race time, over 900 runners are expected to register.
“Marathons and half marathons continue to grow in popularity and Springfield can be proud that we have a unique race that combines history and tourism with an endurance event. We’re pleased that so many out-of-town visitors have chosen to take part in this race, which we expect will to continue to grow,” said Tim Farley, executive director of the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Runners will start the race in front of the ALPLM heading south on 6th Street, pass the Old State Capitol and the Lincoln Law Office, then veer over to the Lincoln Home National Historic Site. Runners then head back downtown and turn west to the State Capitol, wind their way to Washington Park, loop through the park and exit on Lincoln Avenue. After going north for almost two miles on Lincoln Ave., runners will turn east; pass Camp Lincoln, and then over to Oak Ridge Cemetery, home of the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site. The course then loops through Lincoln Park before heading south through the Enos Park neighborhood and finishes in the front of the Prairie Heart Institute at St. John’s.
As runners pass through the over 100 intersections along the course, traffic control will be administered by Springfield Police, Leland Grove Police, Springfield Park District Police, Illinois State Police, and course marshals. Several downtown streets will be closed beginning at 6:00 a.m. the morning of Saturday, April 5, including 6th Street from Cook Street north to Madison Street and Capitol Street from Eighth Street to Second Street. Motorists are asked to watch for runners along the course between 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
The public is also invited to the Prairie Heart Institute Health Expo and Packet Pickup for the Lincoln Memorial on Friday, April 4, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Prairie Heart Institute, 619 E. Mason Street in Springfield. Those at the Expo can interact with active lifestyle vendors and health-care representatives at this unique event. Pre-registered participants can also pick up their race materials. For those not pre-registered for the race, registration is available at the Prairie Heart Institute Expo on Friday or on race morning beginning at 6:00 a.m. The registration fee for the race is $40 at the expo or on race day.
The all-volunteer organized Lincoln Memorial Half Marathon is one of the marquee races of the Springfield Road Runners Club. The Prairie Heart Institute at St. John’s Hospital is the presenting sponsor of the race. The race has also been officially endorsed by the Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission as an event celebrating the Lincoln Bicentennial.
For more information or to register for the race, visit www.runabe.com
Anyone interested in volunteering for this event is encouraged to e-mail Jim Dahlquist at dahlquist2000@yahoo.com.
