More than 8,000 registration forms for this year's Deseret News/Granite Furniture marathon and 10K races are in the mail today, as the signup period began with the mailing Monday afternoon.
Thanks to the coordinating efforts of the Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation Department, and presenting sponsors HealthRider and KSL NewsRadio 1160, race organizers are also preparing more than 4500 race packets for early entrants.All of this is just a small step in the vast preparation efforts going into this year's July 24th races. Scott Kerr, Special Events Manager for Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation, supervised Monday's "stuffing" party at the department offices. He's also coordinating a committee of 15 individuals who are overseeing every aspect of the races, from the starting lines in Emigration Canyon and Research Park, to the finishes at Liberty Park.
"Most runners really have no idea how much work and effort goes into staging these races each year," Kerr said. "Everything from first aid to split timers has to be coordinated and mixed together properly to make sure every runner has a safe and successful experience."
Part of that effort includes making sure runners who plan to enter this year are training properly. With a little over five weeks to go now before the races, your daily running routine should include an average workout of about 75-80 minutes. And with the recent summer heat wave, many are training either before sunrise or after dark.
As obvious as it may seem, one mistake many runners make when training in the dark is not watching for potholes, rocks, uneven terrain and even oncoming cars when working out. These safety tips should be paramount in your training efforts.
First, run against the traffic. You will be much more visible in the dark if you run facing the headlights. Second, wear reflective clothing, which most any running store can provide. And third, scrutinize the terrain you're working out on for those hazards mentioned earlier.
This year's bright and colorful race registration forms are now available at all Granite Furniture locations, at County Parks and Rec (2001 South State St. Suite #5-4900), and at the Deseret News. And race information is also available by calling 468-2560.
Watch for tips on stretching and other helpful hints and race information in the DesNews sports section each week.