On the Road for Education Marathon

On the Road for Education Marathon Event Details,

Prize money 10K and 5K as 

well as a full, 

The brainchild of a student at Mason City's Newman Catholic High School, who was looking to take on a project to help his hometown and his school while also helping him become an Eagle Scout, the On the Road for Education series of races is now closing in on a decade as this town's marquee running event. Celebrating its 9th anniversary this year, the race includes a 10K and 5K as well as a full, 26.2-mile marathon and a 13.1-mile half marathon, which were added to the race for the first time in 2007.

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From the starting line at the 13.1-mile marker of the full marathon on North Carolina Avenue, the half marathon takes runners on a point-to-point course through both downtown Mason City as well as through the countryside areas just outside town. The early part of the half course takes participants down North Carolina and up along the gravel trails and roads that wind along the Winnebago River to the Lime Creek Nature Center, where the course makes a short loop and then proceeds back down the trail toward 12th Street.

Once it reaches 12th Street, the course then runs along a combination of mostly paved city streets and bicycle paths on its way through the city, with the exception of an additional stretch of gravel trail between miles 8 and 9 of the half marathon (miles 21 and 22 of the full marathon). Along the way, runners will get to see several of Mason City's sights including a home designed by the famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, as well as several examples of what is known as the "Prairie School of Architecture."

A relatively small race -- in 2009, a combined 319 runners crossed the finish line in all four races -- the On the Road for Education half marathon is mostly fast and flat with little change in elevation, as the course changes no more than 100 feet in elevation over the entire race. The half marathon begins at 9:00 AM (transportation will be provided from the full marathon start to the half start) and the course will close after six hours.

Race Weather & Climate

Set in the northern part of the state along Highway 65, about 25 miles south of the border with Minnesota to the north, Mason City typically enjoys mild to cool and often cold weather conditions in the early fall, with relatively low precipitation. In October, average temperatures range between 60°F and 37°F, while rainfall amounts average about 2.47 inches for the month.

Gary J. Schmit

Address: On the Road for Education

Newman Catholic Schools

2445 19th St. SW

Mason City, IA 50401

Phone Number: 641-425-5532

Fax Number: 641-423-9244

Fees

2009 fees:

$37 if registered by October 10, 2009

$45 after Oct. 10 through the day of the race

Registration

To reserve your spot in the fall 2010 running of the On The Road For Education Half Marathon or any other race in the event, register online at the event website.

Website

www.ontheroad4edu.org

(source:halfmarathons.net)