MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The inaugural Morgantown Marathon is followed up this year by a 4-day weekend of events related to running, tourism and healthy living.
“It’s not something where we just want to come in, run and leave. I want visitors to come in and stay for a few days. Fill our hotels up. Be a part of our community. Learn what we have here. Go to Coopers Rock. Check out the beautiful areas we have and just have a great time,” organizer Jamie Summerlin said.
For the second annual Morgantown Marathon, events included a Thursday evening family kick off at Monongalia County Ball Park that included a fun walk from the stadium to the new Coach Bill Stewart exit interchange.
Friday, a Chamber of Commerce Business Breakfast at the National Guard Readiness Center featured keynote speaker Bryan Anderson. Anderson is a purple heart recipient and triple amputee. Summerlin explained the marathon was always designed to help raise money for returning soldiers who need assistance finding jobs from Operation Welcome Home.
“All the proceeds that we raise go to support Operation Welcome Home right here in North Central West Virginia which as an organization over the past four years has put over 150 veterans back to full time jobs. So, we’re really thrilled to be a part of that.”
An 8:00 a.m. race called the Mountain Mama 8K is scheduled Saturday followed by a health and wellness expo from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the National Guard Readiness Center.
Sunday’s Morgantown Thirteener and Tour of Morgantown Marathon begin at 7:00 a.m. More than 1,200 runners will wind their way through each of Morgantown’s 7 wards.
“There’s not going to be a neighborhood that’s not touched. We’re going to be in residential neighborhoods and the main roads. Twenty-six miles is a lot of area so that’s going to encompass all of the city,” Morgantown Police Chief Ed Preston noted.
That means traffic changes and interruptions. Main roads impacted include Patteson Drive, Van Voorhis Road and University Avenue.
(The full list of traffic changes can be found by clicking here.)
Cones will be set up and officers will be helping manage traffic.
“The biggest thing that I’m afraid of is don’t get caught up in watching the runners. Watch the law enforcement officers and watch what they’re directing you to do,” reminded the chief.
According to Summerlin, the races take more than 200 volunteers. Those who don’t have a hand in the races can support visitors in their own way.
“Get out; sit in your lawn chairs. Get on your porch. Cheer the runners on. Applaud them. They’ve been training for months and months and months to be able to get out and do something like this,” Summerlin added. “This is a great opportunity for them to walk away, gingerly maybe, but walk away feeling like they were welcomed into our community and really want to come back next year to an even bigger event we’re hoping for.”