Moab Half Marathon and 5 Mile Run
also known as the Canyonlands Half-Marathon
March 18, 2006
Ready, Set, Go!
Over 4500 Runners To Run
Canyonlands Races on March 18
On Saturday, March 18, over 4500 runners will head down the River Road (Hwy 128)
in the 31st Annual Canyonlands Half Marathon and Five Mile Run. The finish line
at Swanny City Park on 200 West and 400 North promises to be a bustling area
where family and friends can enjoy delicious food and live music and be able
to browse among the assortment of retail and food vendors.
The two races have become increasingly popular over the years and have to use
a lottery to determine which runners get to participate. The overall size of
the crowd is limited for safety and lodging logistics in the community.
As it has for the past two years, the Canyonlands Half Marathon offers two silent
auctions to those not selected in the lottery. This year over $4500 has been
raised directly from these auctions, all of which will be donated to local organizations
Seekhaven Family Crisis and Resource Center and the Humane Society of Moab Valley.
In addition, many local groups will volunteer to help with aid stations, finish
line refreshments, sweats, course marshalling, and numerous other necessary tasks.
In return, the Moab Half Marathon donates funds to their organizations.
“We like to see this as a true Moab event,” says Ranna Bieschke,
President of Moab Half Marathon, Inc. “Both locals and visitors get to
enjoy our incredible landscape in a way that brings real benefits to our community.”
Highway 128 will be closed to all traffic from 8AM until 12:30PM to assure safety
for the runners.
The Five Mile Run starts at 9:30 and the first finishers are expected approximately
25 minutes later at Swanny City Park. The Half Marathon begins at 10:00, and
the winners should cross the finish line about 65 minutes later.
Spectators are encouraged to come out and cheer for their favorite athletes.
The best places to enjoy the spectacle are along 500 West, 400 North and the
finish area at Swanny City Park.
This year a special awards ceremony will take place at 12:15 PM at the pavilion
at Swanny City Park. Awards will be presented to the first place male and female
in the following categories: overall winners, Moab residents, wheelchair, and
masters (age 40 or older). The Sheri Haymore Female Masters Award will be presented
in honor of Sheri Haymore, who collapsed and died 100 yards from the finish line
in 2005. It will be presented by her 3 daughters.
The Canyonlands Half Marathon thanks all participants and community members for
their support of this year’s event. See you at the finish line!
Important Reminders:
Highway 128 will closed Saturday, March 18 from 8 AM-12:30 PM.
Runners:
New Packet Pickup/Expo Location: The Grand Center 182 N 500 W
Buses will begin loading on Saturday at HMK Elementary School at
7am.
For detailed race information see www.moabhalfmarathon.org
Photos by: William R. Monroe, and Action Shots.