3 Bridges Marathon a new kid on block

Anyone hoping for an ice-free weekend has ardent allies in the running community, including hundreds of people in central Arkansas with big plans for their Saturday: a new marathon.

The first 3 Bridges Marathon begins at 7 a.m. Saturday and it will cross three of the Arkansas River’s four pedestrian bridges: the Big Dam Bridge, the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge and the Two Rivers Park Bridge. In fact, racers will cross each bridge twice.

And this is happening mere weeks after ice forced two long-distance events in the region to be canceled, disappointing thousands who’d spent months developing their fitness for the St.Jude Memphis Marathon and the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon.

“I called it the Marathon Zombie Apocalypse,” quips Jacob Wells, a member of the committee organizing the new “3BR26.” “We could have sold another 1,000 spots in ours after those cancellations.”

Could have, but didn’t - because for their first event, the committee was determined to work with a small field. Entries were capped at 400, and they sold out months ago.

Besides Wells and 14 other people, planners include Jeff Maher, secretary of the state chapter of the USA Track & Field Association and also a member of the Arkansas Governor’s Council on Fitness; Kim Howard, former Arkansas representative to the Road Runners Club of America; Nicholas Norfolk, president of the Little Rock Roadrunners Club; and Wes McAfee of North Little Rock.

“Wes is just Wes,” says Wells, who is just an accountant in Little Rock.

The committee began dreaming about this 26.2-mile footrace in 2006, at the opening of the Big Dam Bridge.

Racers are coming from 28 states as well as all across Arkansas, Wells says.

ON THE TRAIL

Unlike the 11-year-old Little Rock Marathon, which disrupts auto traffic on its race day in March, 3BR26 will have “no closures anywhere,” Wells says. “We weren’t allowed, but there was no need.” The pack should spread out along the course, which is almost entirely along the River Trail.

Where racers use surface streets, police will monitor intersections.

“Runners will be on the bridges from approximately 7 a.m. until 2 p.m.,” he notes - for the benefit of nonracers who’d rather not dodge racers. He uses the term “about 7 a.m.” because racers who know they’ll need longer than seven hours to do the distance will be allowed to start early.

Measured and remeasured by Bill Torrey and certified to USA Track & Field standards, the course begins with an out and back of about 20 miles from River Mountain Park east to the Clinton Presidential Park and back, followed by a more than-6-mile loop to the west in Two Rivers Park.

SPECTATORS

Spectators will be able to drive with relative ease to six recommended viewing areas (see accompanying map).

The North Little Rock base of the Big Dam Bridge (Miles 2 and 17.3).

Burns Park Dog Park and Goalie Road (Miles 3.4 to 4 and 15.6 to 16.2), with parking at the dog park or the Burns Park Soccer Complex but not at the boat ramp or at Victory Lake.

Rockwater Marina on Rockwater Boulevard (Miles 7.5 and 12).

River Trail near Dickey-Stephens Park (Miles 8.5 and 10.1), with parking on Willow Street next to the ballpark.

Northern ramp of the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge (Miles 9.1 and 10.9), parking on the gravel lot on Virginia Kelley Drive.

Two Rivers Park (Miles 21.2 and 24.4), with parking near the restroom building.

Runners will pass each of these suggested viewing stations twice. The lower mileage is for the outbound trip, with the second mileage representing their return trip.

It should be possible to see the runners once as they turn around in front of the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock.

Organizers say the finish line area at River Mountain Park (site of the Two Rivers Park Bridge) will be very congested. “Spectators attending the finish line should park at 11300 Cantrell Road or at First Baptist Church, 62 Pleasant Valley Drive, and ride the 3 Bridges Marathon trolley, which will run approximately every 15 minutes” throughout the day, Wells says.

More advice is available in the spectator guide under “Race info” at 3bridgesmarathon.com .-

ActiveStyle, Pages 25 on 12/23/2013

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