KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
KMXT’s 7th annual Run the Rock race is this Saturday, but this year there is a little more incentive for folks. The 10K, half marathon and full marathon courses were recently certified by USA Track and Field, meaning race times can be used as qualifiers for other races around the country.
KMXT’s Pam Foreman helped get the certification process going, along with volunteer Eric Engvall. Foreman said the idea to certify Run the Rock came as the event garnered more interest outside of Kodiak.
“Over the years we’ve attracted some marathoners in particular, and a couple of half marathoners from other areas, actually literally from different places around the world. So those runners are looking for races that they can use to qualify for additional races. In order for them to record a record or to use a race for a qualification race, it has to be certified. So, since we want Run the Rock to be around for a long time, and we think it’s a cool thing to attract runners from not only our own community but from the lower 48, from around the state and around the world, we thought this is the next step.”
She said certifying the course was a long, detailed process. It involved extensive and precise mapping of the course and ultimately had to be approved by a race certifier in Anchorage. Foreman said it was well worth it, as the certification lasts up to 10 years, unless the race routes change, of course.
Next year Foreman said the hope is to get the race sanctioned.
“And we have a few additional things that we need to do, so we’re hoping that by next year we’ll have that sanctioned and it will be a completely blessed, sanctioned race by USATF. And that allows us to use their logo on our posters and some different things.”
As for this year, Run the Rock kicks off at 8 a.m. with the marathon starting on Trident Way near the Fisheries Research Center. The 10k and half marathon will start at 10 a.m. at the Bear Valley Golf Course and the 5k will start at the same place at 12:30 p.m. Folks can register online at race dot kmxt dot org until 3 p.m. on Friday, in person at the pre race spaghetti feed Friday night or at the golf course club house on Saturday.
The pre race spaghetti feed will start at 6 p.m. at Springhill Hall behind St. Paul Lutheran Church.
