What is a better way to join communities than launching an interactive event.
As a joint venture, Thrive Allen County and Chanute Regional Development Authority (CRDA) will stage the first Portland Alley Marathon Nov. 3.
The 26.2-mile run will start in downtown Chanute, go through Humboldt and end at the bandstand in Iola.
An individual may run the race alone. However, participants are encouraged to create relay groups of four or eight.
Groups will have designated transition stations along the course. Each runner in a group of eight would run a little over a 5K, which is 3.26 miles, according to Thrive Allen County executive director David Toland said.
“The last person in the group will have the longest stint,” he said. “But not by much.”
There will be designated entry and exit stations. Participants in groups may choose how long each runner will run, but will only be allowed to switch off with a partner at a designated station.
At the stations will be water, Gatorade, gel packs and fruit. Each station will have a Porta Potti.
The marathon will not shut down old U.S. 169 highway. Runners will share the road with vehicles.
“At busy intersections there will be traffic control,” Toland said. “Safety is a big part of this.”
Runners will have their time measured by a microchip in a bracelet runners will be given. The bracelet will be the “batons” runners in a group hand off.
The marathon got its name because the three communities share one thing in common — they all have or have had at some point, a cement plant in the town that produced Portland cement.
Chanute is home of Ash Grove Cement Company, Humboldt has Monarch Cement Company and Iola formerly had the Lehigh Portland Cement Company.
The marathon’s focal point is to bring together residents of the three communities.
Jacque Borgeson, preserve and grow chairperson with CRDA, says the long-standing rivalry between Iola and Chanute high school athletic teams is “being set aside for this event.”
“It is great to see the three communities bridging together and also to see southeast Kansas become a focal point of healthy activity,” she said.
