by
Office of Communications and Media Relations | Dec 10, 2013
The Inaugural McAllen Marathon is making dreams come true for runners who were out in the cold in Dallas this past weekend. The bad weather in the Dallas area forced Dallas Marathon organizers to cancel the marathon forcing dozens of runners to join the Inaugural McAllen Marathon scheduled for 7 a.m. Sunday, December 15, 2013 at De Leon Soccer Complex in McAllen.
Close to 1,000 competitors, from 10 states and four countries, have already signed up for 26.2-mile marathon, half marathon and as legs in the four-person marathon. McAllen’s weather is forecast to be near perfect for the race (64 degrees), which is good for runners who missed the Dallas race because of ice and snow. The McAllen Parks and Recreation Department started getting calls as soon as Dallas cancelled their run.
“We understand people train for months to get ready for a marathon and we wanted to make it easier for the runners who wanted to go to this year’s Boston Marathon. So, McAllen Marathon is offering a 50% off registration to any runner who was registered with the Dallas Marathon,” said Sally Gavlik, McAllen Parks and Recreation Director. “We have received numerous inquiries by phone, email, and Facebook from people from Texas and Mexico.”
On Monday, December 9th, at the regular scheduled City Commission Meeting, McAllen City Commissioner Scott C. Crane proclaimed Sunday, December 15th as McAllen Marathon Day. Crane an avid runner will be running in the half marathon. Commissioner Crane has run in four marathons in his life, twice in Houston, Austin and Philadelphia.
“It’s a huge sacrifice the typical runner who participates and trains for an 18 week period,” said Crane. “When I say sacrifice I mean you truly forego things like a large Thanksgiving dinner, late nights out on a Friday or Saturday. It’s an exhilarating feeling that you’re completely depleted.”
Parks Director Gavlik said packet pick up and expo will be on Saturday, December 14th from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club of McAllen, Glen E. & Rita K. Roney Center, 4501 N. 34th Street, McAllen. Everyone needs to pick up packets on Saturday, December 14th. On Sunday, December 15th at 7 a.m., the Inaugural McAllen Marathon will start at De Leon Soccer Complex at Buddy Owens (Mile 3) and 34th Street.
Race organizers call the race courses flat and fast with a South Texas breeze on asphalt routes that will cut through the city. There will be water stations manned by volunteers and cheer teams to support the runners through the course.
Runners can register until Friday, December 13th at the www.mcallenmarathon.com website through active.com Dallas Marathoners have to contact Jolee Perez at jrperez@mcallen.net to get the discount code for the marathon. If you have any questions, please call McAllen Parks and Recreation at 956-681-3333.
