Heartland Half Marathon and 5K Announces New Additions
Jasper, Indiana (PRWEB) May 14, 2014 -- Registration is now open for Jasper’s third annual Heartland Half Marathon and 5K, set for Saturday, August 30, 2014 - Labor Day Weekend - at 7:30 A.M. E.T. Last year, participants came from all over the country to experience these great scenic courses.
The half marathon race features a great course that starts in the shadow of the Jasper Train Depot along the Patoka River and finishes in the shade at Dave Buehler Plaza just a stone’s throw away from the starting line. This is a hilly course that is fairly challenging, especially at the midway point of the race along St. Charles Street. Some past participants have given us feedback that they enjoy this aspect of challenge; however, others were not prepared. Please be sure to prepare yourself for the midway peaks in the course. After the middle section of the race, the course largely flattens out again on the way to the finish.
The Heartland Half Marathon and 5K begin the same, but they will split apart very close to the start of the race. Be prepared to follow the volunteers’ directions at this split. Like the Half Marathon and all Heartland events, the 5K route will finish along the scenic Jasper Riverwalk.
New events for the Heartland are taking place this year, including a Heartland Team Challenge. The Heartland Team Challenge is a relay comprised of a 4-person team, and follows the same course as the Heartland Half Marathon. Participants will begin the same time and date as the Heartland Half Marathon and 5K. The first runner in the relay will travel 4.2 miles and pass along their timing chip to the second runner. The second runner will then run 3.6 miles and pass along their chip. The third runner will run 3 miles, and the final runner finishes off with the remaining 2.3 miles.
Another new addition this year will be a Kids Fun Run and Festival on Friday, August 29th. Festivities will include health and wellness booths along with fitness activities highlighted by a 1.1 mile Fun Run, which will complete a 12-week youth challenge. The Festival will take place at Dave Buehler Plaza from 5-8 P.M. E.T. with the Fun Run beginning at 6 P.M. E.T.
Kids entering K-8th grade can stay active all summer with the Kids Fun Run and Festival. Here is how the youth challenge works: Register for the race and visit our website to print a copy of the Race Log. Kids will run and log 12 miles in the weeks prior to August 29th. Bring the completed Race Log on race day to be registered for exciting prizes! See the website and Log for suggested training and nutrition ideas. Participants entering grades K-3rd are permitted to run with a buddy. Race Registration includes a t-shirt, medal and goody-bag (Shirt and/or size preference not guaranteed if registered after August 17, 2014). The first 100 participants to register for the Kids Fun Run will receive a special gift. Fun for the whole family, the Festival is free and open to the public!
In the previous years, the Heartland events have been well known to have some great giveaways, and this year will be no different. Event highlights for these Heartland events include: chip timing for the Heartland Half Marathon, 5K, and Team Challenge; well-marked routes; packet giveaways; water and Gatorade stops; snacks at the finish; performance shirts for Heartland Half Marathon, 5K, and Team Challenge participants; t-shirts for the Kids Fun Run participants; medals for the Heartland Half Marathon and Kids Fun Run; and awards for the Heartland Half Marathon, 5K, and Team Challenge.
After the Heartland Half Marathon, 5K, and Team Challenge, be sure to stick around. A separate event will be taking place at the finish line, the Bud Light Country Music and Brew Fest, featuring three talented country acts and a variety of brews for those 21 and over. This country festival will be taking place from 11am until 5pm on this Saturday of Labor Day Weekend.
Later in the evening other great live entertainment is available as well at the annual Dubois Septemberfest, located only nine miles from the finish of the race. The Dubois Septemberfest features activities on Friday and Saturday of Labor Day Weekend.
Event proceeds from Heartland Half Marathon, 5K, and Team Challenge will be given to Lange-Fuhs Cancer Center and Philip R. Dawkins Heart & Vascular Center to be utilized for new integrative medicine services provided to patients at Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center. Event proceeds from the Kids Fun Run and Festival will benefit Girls on the Run – serving Dubois County.
For more information about the Heartland events, please call 800-968-4578 or visit the website at http://www.heartlandhalfmarathon.com.
Kevin Manley, Dubois County Visitor Center, http://www.visitduboiscounty.com, +1 (800) 968-4578, [email protected]
Share this article