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Residents train hard for Marietta’s first half marathon

Photo by Janelle Patterson Deana Ferrah, 43, of Marietta, leads members of the Marietta Family YMCA youth running club in warm-ups Thursday in preparation for today’s races.

MARIETTA — Local athletes of all ages are anticipating today’s races through the streets of Marietta, and many have been logging significant miles to train.

“The race route is beautiful but it’s going to be tough,” said avid cyclist Amy Koher, 44, of Marietta. “Those hills on Glendale Road and Colegate Drive have some good inclines. So we’ve been training mostly on the weekends, putting in 15 to 20 miles to help build up our endurance.”

Marietta will host the city’s first half marathon for both runners and cyclists today. The race’s main sponsor is McDonald’s, but many local businesses have bought into the event and are preparing for the weekend. Proceeds will go toward improvements for the playground next to Washington Elementary School.

“Roads are going to start closing between 7 and 7:30 a.m. (today) with barricades in place,” said Marietta Safety-Service Director Jonathan Hupp. “The important thing to remember is this is the first year of the event and it’s for a wonderful cause. We ask that motorists exercise great caution especially along Glendale Extension and have patience throughout the downtown. The roads will be opened up as the final participants pass through and they are all aware that this is a timed event to conclude by noon.”

Hupp said the first roads to open back up to vehicle traffic would be Front Street from Greene Street to Putnam Street, then Glendale Extension, followed by Colegate Drive, Fifth Street and Glendale Road. All of the races will begin and end along Second Street at the Parking Partners parking lot, looping competitors through the downtown district and along several streets filled with historic homes and scenery.

“We’ll have a front row seat to all of the festivities,” said Ryan Smith, owner of Marietta Adventure Company located on Second Street. “We’ll be open our regular hours (today) and fully stocked with all of our nutrition enhancers and extra socks and gear for racers.”

The half marathon bike race will leave the lot first at 8 a.m. today, followed by the half marathon runners at 8:10 a.m. The 5-kilometer race will then begin at 8:20 a.m. after which the Downtown 1 Mile Dash will kick off at 8:30 a.m.

“I love the route,” said Kim Nohe, 46, of Marietta. “We used that route when we trained for the Parkersburg half (marathon). The scenery is wonderful between the trees and all of the homes. Plus it’s the perfect route for crowd support. As a runner, it’s the crowds that really give you the strength to push through and make it to the end. You can hear them all rooting for you even though they may not know you.”

Hupp said he hopes the city’s residents will join in along the sidelines today to cheer on runners and cyclists.

“Especially along Putnam and Fifth streets as racers come in,” he said. “Or downtown between Putnam and Butler as they sprint to the finish.”

Nohe said she was inspired to run the half marathon after completing the Parkersburg race six years ago with friends.

“I walked that one and decided when this one came to town that it was time to scratch another goal off my bucket list,” she said. “I’ve been getting some decent runs in to train for it each week. You’re supposed to add a mile or two to your runs every week for a few months so that your body is ready for the strain and can push through those hills.”

She said she hopes to see other runners she knows along the path.

“I’m running and training alone but I’m sure there will be people in the race that I’ll know,” said Nohe. “It’s always easier in a race when you get into rhythm with another runner that’s at about the same athletic level that you are. And that’s what is so great about having different races, everyone has a chance to participate and get involved.”

But adults aren’t the only ones preparing for the today’s races. Deana Ferrah, 43, of Marietta, and her husband Shawn, have prepared several children from the Marietta Y Youth Running Club to run in the 5K and 1-mile dash.

“I wanted the kids to get in another race before the weather gets too cold,” said Deana. “They raced … in the Glendale R.S.V.P. 5K so (today) was optional but many of them really wanted to do it.”

The Ferrahs train the youth, ages 6 to 12, twice a week with long runs, sprint and hill training, and games like photo scavenger hunts which incorporate running.

“We want them to see running not as a punishment but as something fun and a great way to stay healthy and active,” she said. “They have all improved so much in the past three sessions since Spring, I am so proud of them.”

At their practice Thursday, the young runners were excited to share why they are taking part in the races Saturday.

“I’m running in the 5K since it’s for my school,” said Flora Burgardt, 10, of Marietta. “I play on the playground there so I wanted to help, and I just like to run.”

“Running opens up space in my day to do what I love after getting my homework done,” said Christian Clatterbuck, 12, of Marietta. “And with this race I’ll get another toe token, which we earn for different things in the running club.”

While Deana will be running with the children in the 5K, Shawn will set off on the 13.1-mile route of today’s half marathon.

“This is my third half I’ve done in the past couple months so training is pretty set for these,” he said. “I do a long run between 10 and 12 miles on the weekends and then have several shorter runs throughout the week. I average about 35 miles per week.”

He said he wouldn’t have normally done so many races so close together but couldn’t miss the chance to participate in the city’s first half marathon.

“I would have kicked myself to not be a part of this,” he said. “It’s a challenging route with plenty of hills, so it will definitely be an accomplishment for runners to complete.”

Aaron Cowdery, 40, of Marietta, said his family is also participating in different races today.

“I’ll be running the half marathon and my two kids will be running the 1-mile dash,” he said. “I run all of the time with a small group of friends so we’re all doing the long race and then my kids play soccer so one wanted to walk and the other run the shorter race.

Part of Cowdery’s motivation for running in the half is getting to attack the challenges of the hills on the course.

“That and the scenery will make it a great run,” he said. “Plus the route goes past my house on Glendale Road so that’s pretty cool.”

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