Published: October 04, 2007 11:54 pm         

MSU big part of Beckley Half-Marathon

This year’s 10th annual Beckley Half-Marathon begins at Mountain State University in more ways than one.

Not only does the race start at 8 a.m. Saturday outside the Robert C. Byrd Learning Resource Center on South Kanawha Street, but MSU is providing facilities, meals and volunteer staffing.

“We’re Beckley’s hometown university and this is Beckley’s race,” said Megan Constantino, MSU coordinator of media and public relations. “It starts and finishes around our campus.”

Registration will be held at the resource center from 6 to 8 p.m. today and 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. Saturday before the race.

A pre-race dinner will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Cougar Den in the resource center for all paid entries in all divisions and volunteers. Guests are welcome at a nominal fee.

A breakfast before the race and a lunch afterward are also provided by MSU.

“Our contribution, when all is said and done, is over $5,000 in value,” Constantino said.

Participants may enter the resource center through the bottom level on Minnesota Avenue. Restrooms will be available.

But beyond facilities and food, MSU will also provide valuable human resources to the event.

More than 40 students, faculty and staff are serving as race volunteers.

“That’s the most ever from the university,” Constantino said. “They’ll man the course to protect runners from traffic.”

The course winds through Beckley and out to the YMCA Youth Sports Complex. It returns along the Rails-to-Trails pathway and concludes on Minnesota Avenue behind the resource center.

John Tarus of Kenya won last year’s race in a time of 1:17.45.1. At least 69 competitors are expected for the half-marathon.

A 5-K run and 5-K walk will also be held.