Did you know that many runners will use this weekends Olathe Marathon as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon?

Thousands of runners will take to the streets this weekend in the Olathe Marathon. It may have the largest turnout in its 8 year history.Did you know that many runners will use the Olathe Marathon as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

Matter a fact race organizers expect 2,000 runners to participate Saturday in the full and half marathons, 5K and Kid's Marathon, which is sponsored by the Olathe Chamber of Commerce's Conventions and Visitors Bureau and Garmin International.

Organizers say this year's event is expected to have a direct economic impact for Olathe businesses of $635,000.

The marathon runners will begin the marathon and half marathon at 7 a.m. at Garmin's headquarters, 1200 E. 151st St., which is at the corner of 151st Street and South Ridgeview Road. The 5K will begin at 7:30 a.m.

The course of the marathon will remain mostly in Olathe except for a short jaunt north into Overland Park at 119th Street and Quivira Road. In years past, runners had started in or either run into parts of Gardner.

The 26.5 mile course traverses around the Great Mall of the Great Plains, downtown Olathe, along Santa Fe Street, around MidAmerica Nazarene University, along the Indian Creek trail in east Olathe and finishes back at Garmin. The half marathon will follow the same course, except runners will turn back south toward Garmin once they cross under Interstate 35 at the roundabouts at Sheridan and Ridgeview Roads.

The Olathe Kid's Marathon is presented by Olathe Medical Center. The Greater Kansas City YMCA has developed a training program that will allow participants to run from zero to 26.2 total miles in 16 weeks. Participants have either run or walked the first 25 miles in quarter, half or one mile increments, on a safe secure route designated by parents, coaches, mentors or teachers. The final 1.2 miles of the Kid's Marathon will be completed on race day.

The 5K will go north from Garmin on Ridgeview Road, head northeast on Sheridan Bridge Lane to Winterbrook and Stratford drives and then turn south on Lindenwood at MidAmerica Nazarene University. Runners will head back toward Garmin at 151st Street to finish the race.

Olathe Police will close streets on the course routes temporarily and reopen the streets after all runners pass through a particular section of the course. For complete course maps, visit www.olathemarathon.com

Organizers expect runners from across the United States to participate in this year's marathon. USA Track and Field  has certified and sanctioned the marathon course and the event is a Boston-marathon qualifier.

The top three finishers in each race will receive trophies. The male overall winner of the 2008 marathon was Tony Kocanda of Minneapolis, Minn., and the female overall winner was Jaime Elgas of Overland Park.

It's not too late to register. You can register online at www.active.com/running/olathe-ks/olathe-marathon-2010or register at Packet Pick-up from 12 -7 p.m. Friday at the Great Mall of the Great Plains, 20700 W. 151st St.


Visit www.olathemarathon.com or call 913-764-1050 for more information.


Let us know what you think or add to our blog by writing a comment.

Blog post written by the Dowell Taggart Team of RE/MAX Best Associates

Your Olathe Real Estate Marketing Masters!


Follow us on Twitter
Be our fan Facebook
Friend us on Facebook
Network with us on Ning
Follow us on Social Media

Search 21,000+ Kansas City Homes For Sale including foreclosures, short sales, luxury homes and more

How would you like to save thousands on your next Kansas City home purchase? Click here to find out how.