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The split will avoid running in a jumble

Full, half marathoners separated

By: Daniel Falloon

Posted: 06/20/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

Runners in Sunday's Manitoba Marathon will be doing the splits at the beginning and end of the race, but it's all in the name of ease and competitiveness.

Competitors in the full marathon, relay and walk will be separated from the half-marathon runners until the corner of Pembina Highway and University Crescent, and the split will also be in effect as the competitors reach the finish line. The half-marathon runners will run down the west side of University Crescent, which switches to the north side of Chancellor Matheson Drive, while other runners will go down the east side.

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"People (were) just kind of mentioning that it's a struggle. Our own team mentioned that it's a struggle sometimes for them to get down that path... because it's blocked by other participants," said marathon executive director Shirley Lumb. "This year, we thought, 'Oh my goodness, we have a solution.' "

Lumb said the proper path will be marked by arches, and race marshals will ensure that each competitor runs down the correct part of the road.

"It's going to change the finish line," said marathon technical co-ordinator Laurie Penton. "The full-marathon runners will be facing the stands."

Penton credits the need for the change to the growth of the 13.1-mile half marathon.

"The reason we need to do this is the growth of the Manitoba Marathon, especially the half marathon," Penton said. "With bigger and bigger numbers, and with the times those people do, they run into each other."

Penton said the full-marathon leaders merge with a bulk of half-marathon runners towards the finish line. This can pose big issues for the full-marathon athletes.

"Some of them are trying to break records," Penton said. "And they just hit this blob of half marathon runners... and they're middle-of-the-pack runners."

Penton said the half marathon has more competitors than the full 26.2- mile full marathon, but the full marathon remains the main priority for organizers. "Our premier event is the full marathon," Penton said. "We still defer a little bit to the extreme effort of everything it takes to do the full marathon."

The extra distance for full marathoners running down the west side of University Crescent is compensated by moving the start line ahead 28 metres.

The entire course was remeasured this year with the new splits included, so runners aiming to qualify for the Boston Marathon will still be able to run on a certified course.

"Our measurement is verified every year," said Penton, who added that the course is remeasured every 10 years, including this year.

daniel.falloon@freepress.mb.ca

Keep hydrated in the heat

THE heat and humidity will continue to be relentless on Sunday. Environment Canada predicts a sunny day with a high of 30 C. The UV index will be 8, or very high, and combined with the humidex, it will feel more like 35 C.

Dr. Dean Kriellaars of the Sport Medicine Council of Manitoba advises runners to drink plenty of fluids before the race to avoid dehydration.

Leading up to the race:

Consume two or three litres of fluid per day. This can include water, sports drinks, tea, coffee, soup or juicy fruits

On race day:

Drink 500 to 600 millilitres of fluid with a pinch of salt two hours before the race, and 200 to 300 ml 10 to 20 minutes before. Don't forget to go to the bathroom before you start.

During the race:

A 50-kilogram person should have a serving of water at two of every three stations. A 70-kilogram person should have one serving at each. Have a sports-drink serving at every fifth station.

After the race:

Drink about 500 ml over a period of time and have a salty snack.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 20, 2009 C12

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