By SALINA POST
The Salina Crossroads Marathon continues to grow in size and with 3280 runners currently registered is expected to be the largest marathon event in Kansas. Runners are coming from all 50 states, Botswana, Canada, Mexico, and Columbia, South America.
The two largest races are the half marathon with 1650 runners followed by the marathon with 730 runners. The USATF Certified 5K Run/Walk currently has 575 runners and there are 70 youth registered for the new Half Mile Kids Fun Run. The remaining runners are registered for the team relays and virtual options.
This year there are 2,865 runners registered from outside of Salina, which includes over 1,430 runners from outside of the state of Kansas. Last year the number of out-of-state runners was 134. Visit Salina, a program of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, calculated the impact of the 2023 Salina Crossroads Marathon at $1,685,600 of estimated economic impact. Runners can register up to and including on race morning at https://runsalinacrossroads.com/.
The 2023 Salina Crossroads Marathon weekend will feature seven events: marathon, half marathon, 5K run, 5K walk, half marathon relay, marathon relay, and new half-mile kids run.
“One of our goals with the Salina Crossroads Marathon is to create a high-quality event with fun race options for the entire family,” said Co-Race Director Daniel Craig. “We hope that the 5K run, 5K walk, team relays, new half-mile kids run, and opportunities to volunteer and cheer on the runners will enable the entire community to come out and be a part of an amazing marathon weekend. We appreciate the support from the City of Salina in helping us create a flat, fast, and scenic course and want to say a special thank you to Brent Buchwald and Sgt. Chad McCary for their support.”
Volunteering is one of the best ways you can help to support your community. With the race continuing to grow the Salina Crossroads Marathon which will be held in downtown Salina on Saturday, November 4 is looking for additional volunteers. Volunteers can sign up here.
The biggest need is for course monitors who will ensure safety along the race course by assisting traffic across intersections, providing pedestrians/runners with course directions, and encouraging participants along the course.
Shifts that are available are 7:45 a.m.-11:00 a.m. or 10:45 a.m.-2:00 p.m. If you have never volunteered for a race before that is no problem. There will be detailed maps showing you where you need to be and the Salina Crossroads Marathon will host a volunteer training on Wednesday, November 1 at 6:00 p.m. at The Alley. The volunteer coordinator will also be available any time during the race to answer questions that come up. Volunteers will receive a Salina Crossroads volunteer shirt.
“We are excited for Salina to have one of the largest marathons in the state of Kansas," Craig said. “Last year we focused on having a well-organized event starting with excellent pre-race communication, a fun vendor fair, well-marked course with lots of volunteers, and an amazing post-race celebration with lots of photo opportunities. Cash Hollistah and Hannah Holt did an amazing job with race announcements, fun music, and calling out the runner’s names as they finished which helped to create an amazing experience that has been instrumental in the growth that we are seeing for this year’s race.”
The amazing support from community organizations and sponsors allows the Salina Crossroads Marathon to be one of the few marathons to provide 100% of the entry fees to a cause. The four organizations that the entry fees will be going to in 2023 are the Salina Family YMCA, Kansas Youth Sports, USD 305 School Marathon Foundation, and Salina Area Youth Sportsmanship Initiative.
Check-in and Packet Pickup
Athlete check-in and packet pick-up will occur at Homewood Suites (115 E. Mulberry) on Friday, Nov 3rd from 10:00am to 8:00pm. Packets may also be picked up on race day from 6:00am to 7:30am at the Visit Salina Chamber Annex (120. West Ash) which is very close to the start/finish line.
The Start/Finish Line/Post Race Festival will be held at City Light Stage (175 N. Santa Fe) which is on the corner of Ash Street and Santa Fe Avenue.
Race Day Schedule
6:00 a.m.-7:30a.m. Late registration/packet pickup at the Chamber Annex
7:50 a.m. National Anthem & Announcements
8:00 a.m. Marathon, Half-Marathon, Full Relay, & Half Relay races begin
8:10 a.m. 5k Fun Run/Walk begins
9:30 a.m. 5k Awards Ceremony (City Lights Stage)
10:30 a.m. Half Marathon & Half Relay Awards Ceremony (City Lights Stage)
11:15 a.m. Kid’s Half-Mile race begins (Changed From 11:00am)
12:00 p.m. Marathon & Full Relay Awards Ceremony (City Lights Stage)
2:00 p.m. Race Course Closure Timing and results can be found at the link below or on our website, www.runsalinacrossroads.com. Laptops will be available to check results.
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. 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.