Eisenhower Marathon
News Brief

Runners from across the United States and several foreign countries will travel to Abilene April 7, 2007, to participate in the fifth annual Eisenhower Marathon, which has grown into the largest marathon in Kansas and includes half marathon, 5K and 10K races.

“We are in full swing preparing for our annual marathon and runner registration is nearly 40 percent ahead of last year at this time,” event coordinator June DeWeese said.

Runners will travel from 30 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, to follow the historic Chisholm Trail during the race. Several foreign countries are represented annually, as well, with entries for 2007 already in from England. In past races, runners have traveled from Kenya, Spain, Canada and Venezuela to participate in the Eisenhower Marathon.

“One exciting sideline this year will be the participation in 5K and 10K races of soldiers stationed in Iraq,” DeWeese said. “Since security is tight, the longer races were not a possibility in Iraq, but the two shorter races can be run during the evening hours which will be race time here.”

An estimated 300 deployed soldiers will be running in Iraq at nearly the same time races are run in Abilene. They are being sent Eisenhower Marathon T-shirts, ID bibs for the fronts of their shirts, winners’ medals and finisher ribbons.

“We are delighted to provide these items as a small thank-you to those soldiers willing to put their lives on the line in protecting our country and freedom in general,” DeWeese said. “It will be a very heartfelt opening ceremony for our race, and I know our runners will be touched.”

The Eisenhower Marathon course is certified by USA Track and Field and enables runners to qualify for the prestigious 2008 Boston Marathon.

An annual broadcast of the event can be heard on KABI and family/friends of runners can listen to the broadcast through the KSAL link on Internet. Soldiers in Iraq will also be able to access the broadcast in Abilene through the Internet link.

“Family members are working on some video links which will allow the soldiers to view portions of our event,” DeWeese said. “It might not be a simultaneous video broadcast, but it will be videotaped by news media.”

Currently the nearly 600 participants in the various Eisenhower Marathon races generate more than $250,000 in revenue, with nearly $100,000 being spent in the Abilene area annually. The 2007 marathon event donated $10,800 to area nonprofits including Red Cross, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Meals on Wheels among others.

More than 350 local volunteers participate in the event, including the Kansas Department
of Transportation, Kansas Highway Patrol, Dickinson County Sheriff’s office, Abilene Police, Central Kansas Amateur Radio Operators, Abilene Parks and Recreation, and Abilene Fitness Center.

Many area nonprofits also participate including Boy Scouts, Emmanuel Church Youth, First United Methodist Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, Sand Springs, Newbern and Holland 4-H clubs, Masons, Lions and Leos. Area school youth also participate with aid stations hosted by National Honor Society and sports groups.

“Work Out Women (WOW) also hosted a water station last year and we surely appreciated their help,” DeWeese said. “In addition Hope and Herington Junior Red Cross students will be assisting again this year at the aid station near Rural Center.”

Traffic is detoured from the course by the Kansas Department of Transportation for six hours the morning of the event, which includes Highway 15 being closed from Rural Center to South Abilene from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 7. Vehicles are urged to detour east on 1400 Avenue to Jeep Road, north to 2100 Avenue and then back west to Abilene on First Street, (or the reversal if coming through Abilene from the North).

Among security officers on the course are local horseback riders who not only watch for runners injured or in need of assistance, but also carry out the promotional theme of runners following the historic Chisholm Trail used by Cowboys in the 1800s.

“We are currently collecting names of volunteers who would enjoy helping at the marathon again or who would like to help for the first time this year,” DeWeese said. “Simply call 263-2341 if you are interested in helping and we’ll have you involved for sure! We could use some office volunteers next week to help with mailings we need to get out.”

A pasta supper is hosted the evening before the race by the Daughters of Isabella (tickets for adults $6, for children $3), and a pancake/sausage brunch is sponsored by the local Kiwanis (tickets $4 each). Members of the community are welcome to participate in the meals.

“We are so thankful for the Eisenhower Center and Eisenhower Foundation who allow us to carry the Eisenhower name and use their facilities,” DeWeese said. “In addition, this event wouldn’t be possible without the wonderful folks at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, and we appreciate them tremendously!”

More information concerning the marathon can be found at the marathon website, www.eisenhowermarathon.com. E-mail contacts for further information can be made through eisenhowermarathon@yahoo.com.