Just keep running: Lansing Marathon launches in April

After 26 years working as an exercise scientist andrunning coach across the country, Owen Anderson decided in March thatit was time to bring his passions home by creating a Lansing Marathon.

“I thought it would be great for Lansing to have amarathon as a signature event,” Anderson said. “We’ve never had one,and it will have a great economic impact on the city and surroundingarea, as well as a cultural impact.”

The result is that next April will see the first of whatAnderson and others hope will be an annual event. Anderson said atleast 5,000 runners are expected to participate in the full marathon onApril 22 and 7,000 in a half-marathon the same day, and Andersonmaintains that no one will be turned away. A 5K and 1.5-K for kids willbe held on April. 21. a team relay competition.

Prize money will be offered, but exact amounts depend on how much additional sponsorship is received.

More details of the marathon will be announced nextmonth, which is also when members of an elite Kenyan running team willcome to Lansing to begin working with public schools to teach kids torun and train better. This is part of the Lansing Marathon’spartnership with the nonprofit foundation Lansing Moves the World.

While Anderson hopes to recruit some ofthe world’s most talented runners, he insists the marathon is open topeople of all skill levels.

“The course is open for eight hours, so individuals couldwalk if they wanted,” Anderson said. “By no means do you have to beelite or a high level athlete. We want everyone to be included.”

So much so that an early start is offered for those withdisabilities to participate in the race using handcycles — a vehiclesimilar to a bicycle but powered with arms rather than legs.

A team relay competition is also scheduled as part of the two-day event.

“It would be fun to have companies or schools competing,”Anderson said. “Relays are quite popular, and they’ll be a greatvehicle to raise more money for charity.”

The marathon hopes to raise $1 million. Runners cangather donations from friends and colleagues, and 10 percent ofregistration fees go toward a charity of the runner’s choice.

Local charities that are already involved include theGreater Lansing Food Bank, Beekman Therapeutic Riding Center andMid-Michigan Environmental Action Council; on the national level,Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, American Cancer Society andMedals 4 Mettle are also involved.

Sustainability is a huge priority for the marathon, said Kelly Bernero, director of green initiatives for the marathon.

“There’s an obvious tie between a healthy lifestyle and ahealthy environment,” she continued. “Volunteers and community memberswill be able to learn more about what they can do in their own homesand schools in their everyday life.”

The marathon will donate 42 trees to the city to beplanted along the marathon course. Water and food will be provided incompostable products and shoes may be recycled afterwards. Only locallysourced food will be served at the event and coordinators are hopingfor all shirts and materials to be made in the United States.

“The Board of Water & Light is having a littleexhibit of the Chevrolet Volt to show the community how far technologyhas come,” Bernero said. “People are driving fully electric cars now.”

The route, which will begin at the Lansing Center, is oneof the most attractive aspects of the marathon, says Pam Jodway,marketing director of Lansing Area Economic Development (LEAP).

“Marathon runners are always looking for a nice, fastroute,” she said. “The landscape of the route in our community is veryflat and fast. (Runners) also look for new places to visit that theyhaven’t been before. Detroit and Grand Rapids already have marathons,and it was time for Lansing to step up and have a marathon as well.”

Jodway is using Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to get intouch with running organizations and marathon runners. She also travelsto other races throughout the state to participate in expos, hand outregistration forms and talk to them about the first Lansing Marathon.Advertisements have been placed on the Boston Marathon’s website torecruit runners, since Boston’s often sells out.

Internationally, a group of representatives will travelin the fall to Otsu, Japan, where runners are preparing for a marathonin March. The trip was originally planned as a business and economicdevelopment opportunity, but now they will also invite runners toparticipate in Lansing.

 “The marathon will energize the city and get the community known nationwide and internationally,” Anderson said.