Spotlight: Run, Raleigh, run!

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courtesy City of Oaks Marathon

by Mimi Montgomery

Elite runners will once again make it look easy to run 26.2 miles in a row at the City of Oaks Marathon Nov. 6. The event, which benefits Rex Healthcare Foundation, Girls on the Run of the Triangle, and the YMCA, takes runners on a full, scenic Raleigh tour, from urban streets to greenways. With a starting point at the N.C. State University Bell Tower, the course winds its way through downtown, Glenwood South, Meredith College, N.C. State, and the Capital Area Greenway. Especially ambitious runners can use the race as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

If 26.2 miles is a couple dozen too many for you to take on, the race day also includes the UNC Rex Healthcare half marathon, the CPI Security Old Reliable 10K, the Delta Acorn 5K, a four-person marathon relay, a two-person half-marathon relay, and a kids’ mile.2016 Full Marathon_Updated_with Relay

No matter your role – marathon runner, relay runner, or spectator – all are invited to the LexisNexis City of Oaks post-race party at the Runners’ Village. Starting at 9 a.m. race day, the bands The Boulevard Ensemble and Liquid Pleasure will play, craft beer and food trucks will be available, and awards will be handed out.

For out-of-towners, Hillsborough Street’s Aloft Raleigh hotel, situated near the start/finish line, is catering to the running crowd with a special package that includes parking, a pre-race breakfast, and post-race pasta bars, champagne, and massages. It’s almost enough to make running a marathon seem like a breeze – almost.

Nov. 6; Marathon, half marathon, relays, 10K: 7 a.m.; 5K: 7:20 a.m.; kids’ mile: 7:30 a.m.; 2100 Hillsborough St.;
to register, visit cityofoaksmarathon.com