Delano Park 12-Hour Run Attracts Athletes from Across the United States

The River City Runners Club will host the annual Delano Park 12-Hour Run on March 7, 2015, at Delano Park. Registration is open and entries received to date represent ten states as far north as Massachusetts and Wisconsin and westward to Texas.

The race consists of multiple laps of a USATF-certified one-mile path through Delano Park. Participants can compete as individuals or as part of relay teams (2-4 persons) with the goal to complete as many laps as possible within the 12-hour time limit.

The event will kickoff at 6 a.m. and conclude at 6 p.m. Online registration is available at www.ultrasignup.com, keyword Delano or race forms are available by contacting jklca5@att.net.

Packet pickup and late registration for 12-Hour and 50 mile only is set for Friday, March 7^th from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church located at 801 Jackson Street.

Along with the 12-hour run, there will be a 50-mile race for those interested in running for a set distance as opposed to a set time. Walkers are also welcome to compete. Each participant will receive a personalized plaque, a race t-shirt, and other race goodies. In the 12-Hour Run, awards will be given based on highest mileage to the top 3 places overall, masters winner, and grandmasters winner for both genders. Relay awards based on mileage will be given to the top team. In the 50-mile, awards based on time will be presented to the first male and female individuals. The number of entries will be limited to 200 total including relay teams.

The race began in 2007 with just 27 runners. Unfavorable weather conditions, from thunderstorms and hail to snow and ice, have not slowed the pace. Last year, the event attracted 135 runners from across the United States with the individual 12-hour winner running 72 miles. The course record, set in 2011, is 82 miles. The 50-mile course record is 5:50:52 set last year, and the most miles run by a relay team is 117.

Delano Park is located at 825 Gordon Drive Southeast in Decatur. Considered the wild, emerald jewel in the heart of Decatur’s historic downtown, Delano Park features a gorgeous WPA Rose Garden, Riverwild Garden of native plants and contemporary sculpture, over four hundred legacy trees, universally accepted playground, splash pad, gazebo, walking trail, and tennis courts. Net proceeds from the race benefit the Centers for Developmentally Disabled - North Central Alabama. For more information, visit, www.ultrasignup.com,  www.facebook.com/delano12, or contact Jon Elmore at 256.301.6221 or jklca5@att.net.