The seventh annual Sedona Marathon offers activities and events for everyone in addition to the race’s participants.
“Walking or running in the races is just one activity we have planned,” said Mindy Mendelsohn, race organizer for the Sedona Chamber of Commerce. “We wanted to create an encompassing event for those who come early to become acclimated before they race and for people who won’t be in the races. This is an ideal community and family activity.”
Race organizers created several days of events starting with the movie “Hood to Coast” on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at Harkins Theatres in West Sedona in partnership with the Sedona International Film Festival.
“The movie’s inspiring and celebrates personal determination and the power of family and friends,” Mendelsohn said.
“Hood to Coast” follows four unlikely teams on their journey to conquer the world’s largest relay race from Mount Hood to the Oregon coast. The teams include a 67-year-old heart attack survivor, a family still mourning the loss of a loved one and running in her honor, a group of film animators testing their athletic limits and a group of aging jocks who want to prove they still have it.
“The movie proves that you’re never too old or too young to attempt the extraordinary,” Mendelsohn said.
Tickets are available through the Sedona International Film Festival office at 282-1177. Admission is $5 or free with a donation of nonperishable food items for the Sedona Community Food Bank.
Starting Wednesday, Feb. 1, racers and the public can participate in the Sedona Gallery Association’s Find Fine Art Giveaway. People enter the contest at the galleries and the drawing will be Tuesday, Feb. 7, Mendelsohn said.
Thursday, Feb. 2, Team USA Arizona will offer a running clinic at Sedona Red Rock High School. The team has 12 members and seven qualified for the 2012 Olympic trials.
Friday, Feb. 3, will be a busy day starting with packet pick-up at 9 a.m. and continuing until 9 p.m. at Tlaquepaque. An expo from 10 a.m. to
6 p.m. features clinics, presentations, a free Zumba class and a live local radio broadcast.
From 5 to 9 p.m. the chamber will host this year’s Pasta Feed dinner at the Sedona Elks Club on Airport Road. Race participants can enjoy all-you-can-eat pasta for $6; children 12 years old and younger eat for $5.50 and guests cost $12.
“The entire public is invited to join the athletes and carb-load the night before the race. It’s a great way to mingle with racers from around the globe,” Mendelsohn said. “Because it is also the first Friday, the galleries will have a trolley to take people from the pasta feed to the galleries and back. This year it’s an official marathon event.”
The trolley is free and makes stops at all participating locations.
Then comes race day Saturday, Feb. 4, headquartered on Navoti Drive behind the Verde Valley Medical Center’s Sedona Campus. Races start at 8 a.m. with the full marathon. The half marathon starts at 8:15 a.m., the 10K at 8:20 a.m. and the 5K at 8:35 a.m.
Race parking is at the Sedona Cultural Park in West Sedona. Signs will be posted.
“We also have a shuttle running from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. race day with four stops: one in Uptown at the old RoadRunner stop at Apple Avenue and [State Route] 89A, at Rodeo Road and 89A, at Tlaquepaque and at Roadrunner and 89A,” Mendelsohn said. “People can park elsewhere and not have to deal with so much traffic to get to the race.”
More than 2,000 runners and 4,000 or more spectators and volunteers will participate at the race site. Tents will house an information booth, water, vendors and race results. A tent will be available for racers to receive a massage after the race.
“We also arranged to have plenty of Porta-Potties available,” Mendelsohn said.
Shondra Jepperson will host the marathon for her third year, assisted by Randy Acetta, recently named the national coach for the Road Runners Clubs of America.
For spectators there will be bleachers set up at the start/finish line and spectators along the in-town course are encouraged to cheer the racers on.
“Cheering is an absolutely wonderful thing. The racers love it,” Mendelsohn said.
Throughout the race will be aid stations operated by area nonprofit organizations. Each is decorating its station.
“They will be judged by the marathon team and the winner will receive $250 for their nonprofit,” Mendelsohn said. “We also have a costume contest for the runners.”
The awards ceremony and expo will be Saturday, Feb. 4, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Tlaquepaque with food, music and dancing.
Other awards include gift certificates from local businesses for the top male and top female finishers from Sedona in each race, the Peak Award to the male and female half marathon runners who finish dead center in their race, and the seventh annual Biggest Loser challenge contest award for the person who participated in the monthlong contest and lost the most inches by race day.
“For the first time the Sedona Marathon will award the Karen Livesay Founder’s Award in honor of the woman who created this event seven years ago,” Mendelsohn said. “We encourage everyone to come out, join the fun and support the marathon. The marathon is truly going to be fun for everyone.”
