From staff reports
JOPLIN, Mo. —
Runners from 34 states as well as Puerto Rico and Canada have registered for the Mother Road Marathon events to be held Oct. 10 on Route 66 from Commerce, Okla., to Joplin, organizers said.
“To be three weeks out and have 1,000 runners is very good for an initial event,” said Dean Reinke, president of the Reinke Sports Group, who was hired to help the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Joplin Sports Authority organize the event.
Reinke said the race is attractive to runners because it is considered an unusual setting on Route 66 and through three states: Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri.
There is a full 26.2 mile marathon, a half marathon, and a fun run.
Volunteers are needed, organizers said, and spectators will be welcome the day of the event to cheer on the participants.
The finish line will be at the roundabout at the Joplin Athletic Complex, where area residents are invited to help celebrate the race and congratulate the participate, Reinke said.
To get more information, register for the race or sign up as a volunteer, the marathon’s website is located at www.runthemotherroadmarathon. com.
For a full report on Thursday’s announcements about the event, see Friday’s edition of the Globe or the E-edition.
