By Debby Woodin
news@joplinglobe.com
JOPLIN, Mo. —
Volunteers will try to reinvigorate interest in the Mother Road Marathon and get runners, walkers and bicyclists back on track after the May 22 tornado with a change-up in the event this year.
Patrick Tuttle, director of the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau, said Thursday that organizers have assessed the impact of the tornado on the route of the marathon events, and the volunteers, law enforcement agencies and the medical community, who all assist. “We’re moving on full steam,” he said. “The event is going to press on.”
Marathon creator Vince Lindstrom, former director of the city’s tourism bureau, and retired MSSU baseball coach Warren Turner are spearheading an effort to attract runners and walkers to the five-kilometer event. The marathon, half-marathon and 5K will be held Sunday, Oct. 9.
During last year’s inaugural event, a fun run was held for youths, but that has been canceled this year because the school district is focusing on getting quarters ready for students to return to classes after several school buildings were destroyed or damaged in the tornado.
Instead, organizers will try to attract 1,000 to participate in the 5K event, and they are inviting walkers as well as runners.
The event is not a benefit for tornado recovery as was reported on Wednesday.
“It is just to get Joplin moving again,” since tornado recovery efforts may have interrupted people’s exercise and recreational activities, Lindstrom said. It also is an effort, he said, to save a regional event that participants deem as important to the area.
The organizers will be asking businesses for $250 sponsorships that will give them 25 free entries for employees to get involved, he said.
Lindstrom said the 5K could draw more participants than the marathon and half-marathon “because we’re only talking a little over three miles for the 5K. Everybody can do it. This is your year to get involved in the marathon.”
Bicyclists will be invited to ride in the Route 66 Mother Road Bicycle Tour on Saturday, Oct. 8.
Paul Teverow of the Joplin Trails Coalition said that adding a bicycle tour “makes sense because a lot of people like to bicycle.” Bikers can follow the marathon course and beyond on Route 66 with options of riding 12, 33, 66 or 100 miles.
Registration fees for the bike tour will be donated to the trails group to go toward finishing the Ruby Jack Trail and maintaining the Frisco Greenway Trail, Teverow said.
Registration for the bike tour is $40 before Sept. 30 and $50 after Oct. 1.
Registration fees for the runs before Aug. 31 are $70 for the marathon, $50 for the half-marathon and $25 for the 5K.
Festivals will be held in Commerce, Okla., where the starting line for the marathon will be located, and in Galena, Kan., along with a celebration at the halfway point in Baxter Springs, Kan.
Commerce will hold a Harvest Festival on that Saturday with live music, a chili cook-off, a car show, food and craft booths, and children’s games. Galena will be the host for Octoberfest, with a bratwurst feed, entertainment, and children’s games and inflatables.
Sign-up sites
REGISTRATION may be completed at www.runmrm.com or at route66bicycletour.com.
