Saturday, Feb. 12, President Abraham Lincoln’s 202nd birthday, is going to be a great day for the Sedona Marathon.

The National Weather Service forecasts sunny skies, 63 degrees, 25 percent humidity and 5 mph winds.

“The cooler, the better if you’re running a long race,” Sedona Marathon spokesperson Mindy Mendelsohn said. “Our weather here is optimal this time of year.”

Mendelsohn said the course for all races is in great condition, especially since most of the race is on paved roadways.

The Sedona Marathon is getting an international reputation as being a premier race.

“We have people coming from around the globe. So far, we have 40 states and five different countries represented,” Mendelsohn said. “We’re ahead of where we were last year at this time, but people even from out of the country just show up on race day.”

More than 1,800 racers participated in the full marathon, half marathon and 5K races last year, according to marathon coordinator Karen Livesay. A 10K race was added this year.

The Sedona Marathon is a boutique race, Mendelsohn said. There are elite racers to community racers having a good time. There is a warmth among the racers not found in the big races with thousands of people.

Several groups are racing as a team, especially local schools.

“When we first got started we wanted to get kids involved. The [Sedona] Charter School took off with it, and they have a large group racing this year. Fit Kids will also be working with us. That’s great because this country has such a big problem with child obesity,” Livesay said.

In the previous five years of the marathon, Livesay said it has helped local charities raise more than $80,000.

The race course has approximately 20 aid stations. Port-a-toilets are also stationed in the start/finish line area and about the halfway mark for the marathon. Along State Route 89A cones and barriers will be placed to separate the traffic from the racers. Arizona Rangers and Sedona police officers will patrol the area and at intersections. Jeeps will monitor safety along the furthest portions of the route.

“We’ve been told we’re one of the safest races, especially how we control traffic and take care of our races,” Livesay said.

She sees the race as a big boost to the local economy.

“We’re looking at 6,000 extra people in town. Many will stay at least an extra night, eat here and shop here,” she said. “The food and beverage companies are making extra runs, and the businesses and tour companies say they get booked.”

The day before the race, organizers arranged a Sedona Marathon Prerace Carb Load all-you-can-eat pasta meal at Olde Sedona Bar and Grill in West Sedona from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. for $12.95.

“Many studies have been done about the benefits of carb loading before an endurance race. Some even go into how many hours, depending on the level of exertion,” Livesay said. “The most important is to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.”

After the race, celebration and awards ceremonies will be at Tlaquepaque arts and crafts village from 2 to 5 p.m. with music, food and an inflatable play area. Awards will be presented at 3 p.m.
“The Sammy Davis Band will play, and we have about three dozen prizes to give away,” Mendelsohn said.

While the race helps charities, many costs are involved, such as the permit the U.S. Forest Service requires for each racer in the full marathon.

All races begin and end at the former Sedona Cultural Park off of Cultural Park Place in West Sedona. The registration table opens at 5:30 a.m. race day. Races start at 8 a.m. with a six-hour limit to finish. Each racer will receive a T-shirt and gift bag.

The full marathon has an 1,800-foot elevation change and is run on 60 percent paved and 40 percent graded dirt. The half marathon is entirely on paved roadway and has 1,100 elevation change. The 10K and 5K races are on paved roadways with little elevation change.

“We’re not about best times, we’re about getting people out to move and have a good time,” Livesay said. “We also want to let people know this is a challenging race, it’s small town and it’s some of the best scenery of any race in the world. Even walking will be enjoyable.”