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Council approves half marathon event
Posted
The Town Council gave its unanimous approval to a special use permit to stage a half-marathon and 5K event in Fountain Hills this coming October.
The Craft Classic Half Marathon and 5K are to be presented by Road Runner Sports with Fountain Hills being the final leg of a new multi-city “Triple Crown.”
The first race will be held in San Diego on July 17, followed by the second leg in Atlanta, Ga. on Sept. 10. The Phoenix event, staged in Fountain Hills, will be Oct. 16.
The event is designed to attract runners in the 25-45 market by combining the popular trends of running and craft beer.
This is a first time event with no history, but organizers are projecting a field of 2,000 to 2,500 runners. They are anticipating it could become an annual event.
The start and finish lines are planned for the Avenue of the Fountains in the Plaza area with the 13.1-mile course running out to Saguaro Boulevard to Fountain Hills Boulevard, back south to Palisades Boulevard, up and over the hills to Palisades Boulevard returning to Saguaro Boulevard along Shea Boulevard. The final leg will take runners back along Saguaro to the Avenue.
The 5K course will remain in the downtown area and encircle Fountain Park.
The races will begin separately at 6:30 and 7 a.m. Being Sunday morning, minimal interference with traffic is expected. Race organizers are in communication with local churches to discuss potential impacts. Rolling street closures are planned where needed.
Following the races there will be a concert and festival in the downtown Avenue Plaza area, which will be open to the general public.
The race organizers have requested co-sponsorship by the town and the waiver of park rental fees totaling $1,575. Marketing materials for the race will include town branding and information.
The council approved the co-sponsorship along with the special event permit.
