Notes from Marion Rotary on Marathon for Shoes

A few quick updates from the Marion Rotary on the group's Marathon for Shoes event.

First, some potential bad news that won't affect the charity aspect of the event but has to come at some frustration to organizers: the certification process of the marathon route may not be completed in time for the event:

via the Marion Rotary Marathon for Shoes Facebook

"As many of you know, the Marion Rotary Marathon for Shoes has been diligently working to receive course certification from US Track & Field. Due to this winter's weather, our official course measurement was not completed until February 2013. Because of the way mother nature mandated the course to be measured over a period of days, US Track & Field is requesting the course be remeasured on a dry day with a temperature much greater than what we are currently experiencing. We feel it is necessary to communicate that at this time we do not believe we can guaranty that the marathon course will be certified by race day."

See Also: Running for a Cause: First Marion Marathon to Support Shoes for Kids

From that story:

The Marion-East Cedar Rapids Rotary Club is a key organization helping put on a the first ever Marion Rotary Marathon for Shoes will take place April 20-21 in Marion.

While there is a full 26.2 marathon, the first in the area, organizers are calling the course "relatively flat," and there's a variety of less intense options. The course is still awaiting certification from USA Track and Field.

Other options include a marathon relay, half marathon, 5k, mile fun run, community bike ride, health expo and pasta dinner.

The marathon is set up as a benefit for the for programs supported by the Marion East Cedar Rapids Rotary Club, including Shoes for Kids. That program begins with school nurses identifying children in the Marion and Cedar Rapids area, who do not have adequate shoes, and then the program connects with Payless Shoe Source to provide them shoes.

Registration for the event is ongoing. You can learn how to register for the Marathon for Shoes at the event website: Marion Rotary Marathon for Shoes.