By SALINA POST
The Salina Crossroads Marathon has earned the title of Best Boston Marathon Qualifier in Kansas for 2025, a major recognition from FindMyMarathon.com, one of the nation’s leading race websites.
The honor is awarded based on the number and percentage of runners who achieve Boston qualifying times at USATF-certified events. For many runners, earning a spot in the prestigious Boston Marathon represents the pinnacle of long-distance running achievements.
In addition to the national recognition, the Salina Crossroads Marathon was featured for the second time in Kansas! Magazine’s 2025 Volume 81, Issue 1. The article spotlighted the marathon’s rapid growth, its community impact, and its selection as the 2024 USA Meet-Up site for Team Take Down, an African American running club.
“The Salina Crossroads Marathon race course highlights our charming downtown, scenic parks, historic neighborhoods, and beautiful running paths. Combine that with amazing race communication, a fun race expo, and great food and fun entertainment at the post-race celebration and it is no surprise that the Salina Crossroads has quickly become one of the premier races in Kansas” said Co-Race Director Daniel Craig. “We appreciate the amazing support from the City of Salina, Visit Salina, Salina Downtown, Inc., and the more than 50 organizations that sponsor and support the race as well as over 200 volunteers who help out each year at the event.”
Visit Salina estimates that the 2024 Salina Crossroads Marathon generated $1,019,080 in economic impact for the Salina Community. Salina Crossroads is also a "Gold Standard" race and provides 100% of the race entry fees back to Saline County Youth Sports. Salina Crossroads Marathon provides 100% of the race entry fees to five local youth sports organizations: Salina Burn Track and Field Club, Salina Family YMCA, Kansas Youth Sports, Salina Area Youth Sportsmanship Initiative, and the School Marathon Foundation.
The Salina Crossroads Marathon has 3003 registered runners from all 50 states registered for the 2025 race which puts the event in great position to break last year’s record of 5204 registered runners. The half marathon is the largest event with 1431 registered runners while the full marathon has 903 registered runners. In addition to the marathon, half marathon, team relays, 5K, and kids fun run, this year’s event will also include a new 10K.
“This event has truly been embraced by the entire community. From the City of Salina, local law enforcement, our 50+ sponsors including Vortex and Schwan’s, 200+ volunteers, and runners; everyone has stepped up to put on a world class event. Visiting runners can tell when a community has buy-in, and Salina is all-in,” said Co-Race Director Andrew Manley.
The 2025 Salina Crossroads Marathon on November 8 will feature a weekend filled with family-friendly events:
· Marathon
· Half Marathon
· 5K Run/Walk
· 10K Run/Walk
· Half Marathon Relay
· Marathon Relay
· Half-Mile Kids Run Runners can register at https://register.chronotrack.com/r/83999.
Salina Crossroads Marathon has one of the lowest registration fees for any race in Kansas. Last year marathon organizers began offering the option of not getting a race shirt and receiving a discount off the entry fee.
“We are thankful for strong support from the City of Salina and local businesses to help the ideas come to life. From a vintage vehicle leading the pack at the starting line, to live music along the course, to slices of ice cream pie when you cross the finish line, our goal is to create a race experience for runners and spectators that people will talk about and remember,” said Co-Race Director Chris Lehecka.
About the Salina Crossroads Marathon
The Salina Crossroads Marathon began when two local runners (Chris Lehecka and Daniel Craig) started visiting about what it would look like for Salina to have a high-quality marathon and half marathon race. The City of Salina helped develop a fun and scenic course that minimized disruptions to traffic and parking in Downtown Salina.
The Salina Crossroads Marathon planning committee includes individuals in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors as well as local runners. Andrew Manley serves as a co-race director and treasurer for the Salina Crossroads Marathon.
The goals of the Salina Crossroads Marathon are to have a high-quality race that can bring in runners from across the United States, provide 100% of the race entry fees to local organizations, and provide fun family friendly events so the entire community can come be a part of a USATF Certified and Boston Qualifying Marathon weekend.
For more information about the Salina Crossroads Marathon check out the website at runsalinacrossroads.com or follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1469896640070189.