The Mother Road Marathon, a race which traverses northeast Oklahoma, southeastern Kansas and southwestern Missouri on Route 66, drew about 570 participants over the weekend, reported the Joplin Globe.
Since beginning in 2010, the Mother Road Marathon has experienced a bumpy ride. The inaugural event drew 1,500 participants, dropped to a low of 500 in 2011, then rose to about 770 last year, according to the Globe. The race has experienced discord and a lawsuit with a previous promoter, and the infamous Joplin tornado impacted the organizing and participation of 2011 event.
No explanation was given by the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau on why the numbers fell this year.
Michael Bredehoft, 31, of Clearwater, Kan., won the 26.2-mile race this year in a time of 3 hours, 26 minutes, 3 seconds. Erin Goff of Denver won the women’s division in 3:40:48.6.
Brian Smith, a paraplegic who competed in the race in a hand cycle, finished in a little over 2 hours, 30 minutes.
Ron Hart has a few photos from the marathon.
The Mother Road Marathon included a half-marathon and a five-kilometer race as well. On the same weekend, a Route 66 Mother Road Bicycle Tour was held to benefit the Joplin Trails Coalition.
UPDATE: The Joplin Globe posted an opinion piece about the race. The key excerpt:
Patrick Tuttle, director of the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau, points to the number of other 5Ks and half-marathons all happening at the same time as one reason for the decline in numbers.
We’d like to see this event continue and grow. In the coming weeks, Tuttle will be in discussions with the city about the future direction of the race.
We want that direction to be one that keeps the Mother Road Marathon on the map. The event should be surrounded by events that will put visitors in area hotels and motels, and encourage them to spend time in area communities.
The Mother Road Marathon was a smart idea. Let’s take it and run with it.
Ron, According to a TV news report on the Marathon, the attendance suffered early-on as there were multiple 5 and 10 K runs scheduled in the region in other local communities for the same day. This event was sponsored in large part by the City of Joplin and perhaps Oklahoma and Kansas would kick-in more next year so it would not become such a financial drain on the City. The City Council did give the Marathon one more year to show increased participation before it considers dropping it.
Perhaps the Marathon could be part of a Tri-State Route 66 Festival where the communities of Commerce, OK thru Carthage MO. would have Mother Road venues that would draw more “locals” to area exhibits, car shows, food, music and activities. Baxter Springs did just that for the Sunday Run. Seems logical since the streets were already closed off.
Ron Hart, Route 66 Chamber of Commerce