On Friday, August 4 and Saturday, August 5, 2017, the 22nd Annual Mahomet Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and MACY/MPRD 1 Mile Fun Run will be held to benefit the Mahomet Area Youth Club (MAYC). In previous years, the half marathon, and 5K events attracted more than 800 participants from across the Midwest and beyond, including many top competitors as well as recreational runners and walkers. To accommodate even more runners, we are adding a 10K to the chip-timed race line up. Race Director Marla Dewhirst credits much of the popularity of the Mahomet races to the many local volunteers who help create a well-coordinated, runner-friendly event that ranks among the best in the state.
The annual event is a major fundraiser for after-school and summer programs for the Mahomet Area Youth Club (MAYC). The event receives broad support from businesses, community organizations, and individuals throughout the Mahomet area. In addition to nearly 200 volunteers who help with everything from setting up the course and manning water stations, to controlling traffic and handing out awards and refreshments, more than 30 local businesses support the event with prizes, services, and financial support to underwrite expenses. This year’s top sponsors include Carle Physicians Group & Health Alliance, Walk Chiropractic, Fisher National Bank, Matt Difanis, RE/MAX Reality, Busey Bank, First State Bank of Forrest, Dairy Queen, and Imperial Pools.
The half marathon and 10K races start at 7 a.m. on Saturday. The 5K starts at 7:20 a.m., also on Saturday. All three races start and finish at Mahomet-Seymour High School. Walkers are welcome in the 5K event.The USATF-certified courses follow village streets and county roads, with chip timing provided by It’sRaceTime. Water and Gatorade stations are alternately located at approximately one-mile intervals on the courses, and volunteer timers provide elapsed time at five locations throughout the course. Participants will find a generous offering of after-race refreshments at the hospitality tent sponsored by the Mahomet Area Chamber of Commerce, as well as free post-race massages and athletic training services provided by area professionals.
Also new to the race this year is the MAYC/Mahomet Parks and Recreation District 1 Mile Fun Run. The 1 Mile Fun Run will be held Friday evening at 6:30. Families are encouraged to sign up for this 1-mile, non-competitive run held on Mahomet-Seymour High School’s grounds. All participants will receive a Fun Run T-shirt, participant ribbon, refreshments, and encouragement from the Mahomet community. We are excited to involve our youth and their families in the running events.
Participants in the half marathon, 10K and 5k races who register by July 15th will receive an event- and gender-specific technical shirt. All runners who finish the half marathon also receive a distinctive finisher medal that was newly designed last year. Cash prizes of $300, $150 and $75 will be awarded to the top three overall male and female finishers in the half marathon. The top two overall male and female finishers in the 5K and top two male & female masters (over 40) finishers in both races will receive special awards, and medals are awarded to the top 3 male and female finishers in each of 13 age groups for both races.
