The eighth annual Missoula Marathon is this weekend, starting with the 5k run/walk at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 12. The half and full marathons are Sunday, July 13 with a 6 a.m. starting time. 

Race director Anders Brooker said the 5k and half-marathon races are full, but there are still a few slots available for the full marathon.

"The marathon itself has a few spots still available," Brooker said. "I think at this point it probably won't fill up all the way, but it will still be the biggest its ever been. Between the 5k, the kids marathon, the half and full marathon, we'll have close to 7,000 folks signed up."

Brooker said the fact that 2014 is the eighth annual event came as a surprise.

"It's kind of hard to believe and it's obviously come a long way from that first year. The race officials along with the City of Missoula have all worked together to make the event bigger and better every year, but it is amazing that we're already at year number eight."

Brooker said the race courses will take the participants through the best areas of the city and surrounding areas to best show off the tree lined streets, rivers and neighborhoods.

"We feel these courses kind of show off the best of what Missoula has to offer because you get that kind of rural pretty start out at Frenchtown at 6 a.m. when the sun's coming up. You run down by the river, and then you get the university district and downtown Missoula. We're really excited about our courses, and that's what keeps bringing people back to Missoula year after year."

The race courses will be well marked and over 900 volunteers will be on hand to assist runners and walkers for both races on Saturday and Sunday.

This reporter and his wife will be taking part in the 5k race on Saturday.

Get more details at the Missoula Marathon website.

Missoula Marathon Race Director Anders Brooker

 

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