Runners, it's time to mark your calendars and reserve your place at the start.
Registration has opened for Raleigh's fourth annual City of Oaks Marathon and Rex Healthcare Half Marathon, presented by Raleigh Running Outfitters.
The 26.2-mile marathon and 13.1-mile half marathon will start and finish on N.C. State University's Centennial Campus on Nov. 7. The races start at 7 a.m.
The event raises money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Rex Healthcare Foundation.
Nearly 3,500 participants turned out and $40,000 was raised for charities at last year's event, which also offered a combined cash purse of $23,000.
“We had a great turnout last year, given the cold and pouring rain throughout the entire event,” race director Ben Hannas said in a news release. “This year, we’re hoping to expand even more by attracting more out-of-town participants.”
The marathon follows the same course used in 2009. It includes a run on Hillsborough Street to reach downtown Raleigh, a short loop in the city center that includes a run by the State Capitol and a scenic trek inside Umstead Park.
The half marathon, which also tours downtown, follows the marathon course for the first eight miles jumps to the final five miles of the marathon course - a move that bypasses marathon's hilly stretch though Umstead Park.
All registration is being handled online.
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- Teri Boggess
play@newsobserver.com
