NEWS RELEASE
Buckeye, Ariz. (Sept. 30, 2014) – USA Track & Field has certified the course for the Dec. 13 inaugural Buckeye Marathon “Race to the Runway” presented by Cancer Treatment Centers of America®, opening the door for competitors to qualify for the 2015 Boston Marathon and other major national marathon races.
Jeff Crane, race director for StartLine Racing, a USA Track & Field member organization directing the Buckeye event, said his official measurement of the Buckeye course was recently approved by national USA Track & Field officials. Crane said there are fewer than 10 certified marathon courses in the Phoenix metropolitan area and less than 15 statewide.
The Inaugural Buckeye Marathon will be held Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Buckeye Municipal Airport. The “Race to the Runway” full marathon will actually begin well north of the airport in a Buckeye neighborhood, Festival Ranch and will end on the runway at the airport, which is one mile south of Interstate 10 on Palo Verde Road.
Crane said the Buckeye course, which features a drop of 640 feet from start to finish, would be considered a fast course desirable to marathon runners.
“The Buckeye event has a number of things going for it,” Crane said. “It’s a fast course, it’s the only marathon in the area in December, and now, with certification, runners can set qualifying times for major marathon events in Boston, New York and Chicago and other cities around the country.”
Buckeye Recreation Division Manager Miranda Gomez says the USA Track & Field certification is already attracting runners from all over the country who are interested in competing in national races.
“To be seen as one of the potential qualifying events for the world-famous Boston Marathon and other national races is a huge plus, but we also hope to see runners and walkers of all ages enjoying this event with their families and friends,” Gomez said.
“We see this inaugural event as a great way to celebrate ‘Let’s Move,’ a national initiative endorsed by Buckeye officials to spur action and bring the community together in solving the obesity challenge while promoting health and wellness.”
The marathon course will begin at Festival Foothills Elementary School, run south along Sun Valley Parkway into a turnaround at the Tartesso Sports Complex, and then return to Sun Valley Parkway to the finish line at the Buckeye Municipal Airport.
The event, which will also offer a half marathon, a 5K race and a one-mile fun run that all start and end at the Buckeye Municipal Airport, has already attracted some interest from marathon runners, Crane said.
“It’s still four months away, so it’s attractive for runners who are ramping up their training regimen,” Crane said. “We’ve already seen good registration numbers, and we hope to see that grow as the race nears.”
All runners will be chip timed by StartLine Racing. Awards will be given to the top three finishers in all age categories (five-year age groups).
Participants will receive a custom event dri-fit tech T-shirt, custom finisher’s medal, pre- and post-race “runner’s food” and entry into the post-race festival.
Besides the event presenting sponsor, Cancer Treatment Centers of America®, the Buckeye marathon has received other major sponsorships, including Pulte.
