October 27, 2009

City Of Oaks Marathon Returns Sunday

Raleigh, N.C.-The third annual City of Oaks Marathon and Rex Healthcare Half Marathon may host the biggest field yet as Raleigh's hometown marathon makes its return on Sunday, Nov. 1. Registration is still open through the official race website, www.cityofoaksmarathon.com.

With a total of 3,039 participants signed up so far, race organizers expect the race field to match or surpass that of last year's event, which hosted 3,800 participants. Online registration is open through Thursday, October 29. On-site registrants can enter the race during the visitRaleigh.com Health & Fitness Expo at N.C. State University's McKimmon Center on Oct. 30 and 31.

Like last year's races, the 26.2-mile marathon and the 13.1-mile half marathon will start and finish on N.C. State University's Centennial Campus. According to Race Director Jim Micheels, the 2008 move to Centennial Campus was well received.

"We are thrilled to be working with Centennial Campus again this year," said Micheels. "The 2008 events were a great success. In terms of parking, security and accommodations, we were all truly pleased with the results. We expect this year's race to go off even better."

The 2009 marathon and half marathon race courses will be identical to last year's. The marathon course includes a run on Hillsborough Street to reach downtown Raleigh, a short loop in the city center that includes a run up Fayetteville Street, and a scenic trek inside Umstead Park. Race directors designed the course to showcase some of the city's best features and the diversity of its landscape.

This year, the two non-profit City of Oaks races will benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Rex Hospital Foundation, and the Wounded Warrior Project. Presenting sponsor Raleigh Running Outfitters established the City of Oaks Race in 2007 with the intention of bringing a prestigious running event to the city of Raleigh, one that would draw thousands of runners and spectators and would have a meaningful impact on its beneficiaries. The race has boosted tourism in the downtown area and other areas of the city.

More than 3,800 participants joined the 2008 race field, and it contributed more than $40,000 to the race charities.

A combined cash purse of $23,000 will be awarded in the marathon and half marathon, in addition to commemorative awards and other giveaways. Both races begin at 7:00 a.m. on race day.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. It is the cause behind Team in Training, a nationwide sports training program that enables volunteers to participate in marathons and half marathons as a way to raise money toward the fight against these forms of cancer.

The non-profit Rex Hospital Foundation raises funds to support and enhance the programs and services of Rex Hospital in its efforts to improve the health of the Wake County community.

The non-profit Wounded Warrior Project works to raise awareness and help severely injured service men and women, providing programs and services to meet their needs.
Raleigh Running Outfitters is an independently owned and operated retailer, established in 2003 by Jim and Carolyn Micheels. The store sells shoes, apparel, and accessories for all types of runners and walkers. It specializes in proper shoe fitting, gait analysis, and expert advice from a staff of experienced runners. The store is located at 7449 Six Forks Road in the Celebration at Six Forks shopping center.