Friday, April 13, 2007
The Raintree Run, Lawrence’s annual half-marathon, received a new route, new management and a new name this year. Now called the Lawrence Half-Marathon and 5K, Sunday’s race features a more historic tour of the city.
“My husband wanted it to be a destination event,” said Marcia Riley, new coordinator for the Half-Marathon and 5K. “After you run by these locations, you’ll know you’ve been somewhere.”
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We wanted the runners to actually run around Naismith’s grave, but I don’t think family members would be too happy with 1,000 people stomping across a cemetary.
-Marcia Riley, coordinator for the Half-Marathon and 5K.
Riley said that participants in the 13 mile half-marathon will start at the Coffin Complex at Haskell University. The participants will then go on a full tour of Lawrence, including Langston Hughes’ house near New Jersey and Eighth Streets. They will also pass by James Naismith’s grave in east Lawrence.
“We wanted the runners to actually run around Naismith’s grave, but I don’t think family members would be too happy with 1,000 people stomping across a cemetary,” Riley said.
Also included in the course are the Massachusetts Street downtown area, Memorial Drive and Jayhawk Boulevard. These areas will be closed to through traffic starting at 8:15 a.m. Sunday.
All proceeds from the Half-Marathon and 5K will be donated to Health Care Access Clinic. Donations from the one-mile fun run/walk will go to the former directors of the Raintree Run for medical expenses.
Elizabeth Kane, Bartlesville, Okla., sophomore, placed second in the female age 1 through 19 category for the Raintree Run 2006. She did a 10-week training program to prepare herself for the half-marathon.
“Around the nine-mile mark during the race, I just about hit the wall,” Kane said. “But, I got a second wind. I wasn’t even sore the next day.”
She said that running long distances shouldn’t intimidate anyone interested. For Kane, running is now something enjoyable and fun to do, but she admits she can’t survive without her iPod.
“Music makes a big difference to me,” Kane said. “If I don’t have my iPod, the distance seems so much longer. I just put it on shuffle, get out, and go.”
Although Kane said she never really stretched, Sandy Bowman, supervisor of physical therapy at Watkins Memorial Health Center, said to stretch and prepare the body was imperative for a successful run.
Bowman suggested slow and sustained leg stretches that included the calves, hamstrings, and quad muscles. She also said to prepare the day before for any potential problems or injuries.
“Prepare the night before as far as what you’re going to wear and get those clothes laid out,” Bowman said. “If you’ve had any problems, like blisters, get taping supplies out ahead of time too.”
Bowman said that the major problem runners faced was dehydration during long distances.
For an extra boost of carbohydrate energy, Bambino’s at the Grove, 1801 Massachusetts St., is offering a Saturday pasta lunch and dinner at a discount for race participants, family and friends.
Kansan staff writer Danae DeShazer can be contacted at ddeshazer@kansan.com.
— Edited by Trevan McGee
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