The first five Mill Race Marathons have been run in relatively warm temperatures for late September.
The Sixth Annual race figures to be a little different.
The early forecast for Saturday in Columbus is a high of 70 degrees and a morning low of 53. That could mean more comfortable running weather for the nearly 3,400 runners expected for the marathon, half marathon or 5K races.
“Hopefully, the weather cooperates with cooler temperatures, as it has been a factor to our ability to pull in more marathon runners,” said Dave Venable, one of the event’s co-founders. “As a Boston Marathon-certified course, we have a very flat and fast course. However, we haven’t been able to really leverage a fast day for runners due to temperatures these past few years in the 80s. It would be possible to have our course records broken with race temperatures in the 60s.”
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The men’s marathon course record was set two years ago by Japhet Kipkoech, who ran 2 hours, 23 minutes, 8 seconds. Gisela Lamke set the women’s marathon course record of 2:46:06 in 2015.
Last year’s winners were Peter Kosgei in 2:33:33 and Lauren Jackson in 3:11:29.
As of Wednesday, 2,868 runners had registered for either the marathon, half marathon or 5K. Another 503 had signed up for the Kids Fun Run, which will by Friday in Mill Race Park.
Venable said over the first five years, about 80 percent of the runners who competed had registered by at least 10 days prior to the race, while the other 20 percent signed up later.
Those who do run will be entertained along the way as 10 bands will be spread out over the 26.2-mile marathon course. Cheerleading squads also will be along the course, and Upland Brewing is planning a cheer tent in Donner Park, about a mile from the finish line.
This year’s race medals again will feature the Columbus cityscape and architecture. But the revised ribbon on the medals will include the “Floating C” to further highlight the city.
Venable competed in either the marathon, half marathon or 5K each of the first four years before sitting out last year as a runner, serving as a volunteer instead. This will be his second year as a zone director, and he will be on his bike supporting course marshals, as well as the water stations.
Individuals or groups still can sign up to volunteer by going to millracemarathon.com
“It is a very busy day, but amazingly rewarding to witness all of the hours of planning coming together into a wonderful event for participants and spectators,” Venable said.
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The Sixth Annual Mill Race Marathon, half marathon and 5K will be Saturday. The races begin and end on Washington Street just north of downtown Columbus.
Fees are $95 for the marathon, $80 for the half marathon and $30 for the 5K through Thursday. At packet pickup on Friday and Saturday, it’s $110 for the marathon, $95 for the half marathon and $35 for the 5K.
The Kids Fun Run is Friday at Mill Race Park and is free to enter.
Registration and other info is available at millracemarathon.com
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