FAYETTEVILLE -- The 40th Hogeye Marathon expects to draw a big turnout, with numbers for the full marathon race already at full capacity and overall participation expected to exceed last year's total.
"We had 280 finishers in the full marathon last year and right around 1,600 total for all races," Hogeye Marathon race director Tabby Holmes said. "We already have more than that registered this year. A lot of people want to be a part of the 40th Hogeye."
40th Hogeye Marathon & Relays
WHEN 7 a.m., Sunday; 5K run/walk begins at 7:05 a.m.
EVENTS Full Marathon, Half-marathon, Four-person relay, 5K run/walk
WHERE Full marathon course begins at Fayetteville square, continues on Scull Creek Trail and Mud Creek Trail, heads north around Lake Fayetteville Trail and returns to finish at Wilson Park.
2015 WINNERS Male, Phil Davison, Fayetteville, 2:59.19; Female, Bonnie Ritchotte, Littleton, N.H., 3:26.16
The Hogeye Marathon began on a course in the town of Hogeye. Since 2003, all races now are run in Fayetteville with the start line at the Fayetteville square, taking runners on Scull Creek Trail, Mud Creek Trail and around Lake Fayetteville Trail.
This year's race comes with a big change, however, at the finish line. In recent years, runners have closed out the race at the Walton Arts Center parking lot. This year, the finish point has been moved to Wilson Park.
"We have always wanted to finish in a parklike setting," Holmes said.
The full marathon and half marathon begin at 7 a.m. today, moved up 30 minutes from last year. The Hogeye was held two weeks earlier on the calendar a year ago, but with the move two weeks back, Holmes said the 7 a.m. start helps runners avoid a possible rise in temperature.
"We moved it back two weeks to avoid Easter," Holmes said. "The move up 30 minutes helps the runners because they don't like the heat."
The Hogeye 5K Run/Walk will begin at 7:05 a.m. after the full and half marathon runners have taken to the course. Like recent years, the Hogeye again will include a Corporate Challenge and a four-person marathon relay.
With the change in finish line to Wilson Park, spectators and runners are reminded that parking and shuttle service will be located at the Walton Arts Center parking lot, with no extra parking for the Hogeye Marathon set to be made available at the park.
To donate to the Hogeye Marathon and to view results, visit www.hogeyemarathon.com
Sports on 04/10/2016