By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post
Building on the success of its inaugural run last November, the Salina Crossroads Marathon already has more than 1,300 runners registered for its upcoming Nov. 4 event.
That's more than the 2023 goal of 1,000!
"We are excited to be the first race in Salina to ever have 1000 registered runners," said Co-Race Director Daniel Craig. We are especially excited to have over 600 runners from outside of Kansas which is a big increase from the 134 we had last year. We currently have runners from 41 states including 230 from the state of Oklahoma. With over 1,300 runners currently registered we have a good chance of having over 2,000 registered runners by race day."
Craid said that last year, the organization created a list of more than 600 running clubs in all 50 states.
"We have been working hard to develop relationships with them in hopes that some of them will send runners to the Salina Crossroads Marathon every year. That strategy seems to have been very successful and will be key to reaching our goal of becoming one of the premier running events in the Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Nebraska region," he said.
The 2022 event had 817 registered runners from 30 states. Visit Salina, a division of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, estimated that the event had a local economic impact of $446,296. Additionally, $25,340 was donated to youth sports in Saline County.
"Last year our volunteers and race committee did an amazing job putting on a fun and well-organized race. We received a lot of great feedback on the excellent pre-race communication, well-organized packet pickup, music and entertainment including an electric guitar performance of the National Anthem, amazing volunteers all along the course, and the custom-designed medals by Vortex Companies. We have received many great reviews on national running sites and that has really helped get the word out," Craig told Salina Post.
Salina Crossroads Marathon by the numbers
Registered runners: 1,332
Runners from outside of Salina: 1,179
Out-of-state runners: 640
Runners from Salina: 153
Marathon: 378
Half Marathon: 724
5K Run: 94
5K Walk: 51
Team Relays: 30
Virtual Race: 37
Half Mile Kids Run: 18
Improving on an already-successful event
Craig said the Salina Crossroads Marathon planning committee is making some changes to the course, based on post-race survey comments. Those changes include reducing the number of turns and eliminating one of the out-and-backs. Craig said the new half-marathon and marathon courses will be USATF certified.
Additionally, a new children's half-mile run event is being added and the fun run/walk is being changed to a 5K event.
"There will continue to be music all through the course and a fun post-race celebration with great food," he said.
Registration for the 2023 event
Registration fees are as follows.
● Marathon-$75 ($85 after October 1st)
● Half Marathon-$55 ($65 after October 1st)
● 5K Run-$25
● 5K Walk-$25
● Half Mile Kids Fun Run-$15
● Marathon Relay ($25 per team member)
● Half Marathon Relay ($30 per team member)
To access the event registration, click here.
"The Salina Crossroads Marathon is one of the most affordable, fun, and fastest growing races in Kansas and 100% of race entry fees will go to four youth sports organizations in Saline County: Salina Family YMCA, Salina Area Youth Sportsmanship Initiative, Kansas Youth Sports, and USD 305," Craig said.
To find out more about the Salina Crossroads Marathon event, click on the links below.