Half-marathon runners coming to Springfield

HOW TO GO

What: Happy Half Trainer's Half Marathon

Where: Simon Kenton Trail and Little Miami Scenic Trail

When: 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 11

Admission: Free to cheer on participants

More info: happyhalfmarathon.com

A half-marathon takes place on Saturday along the Simon Kenton and Little Miami Scenic Trail. About 120 runners from Ohio and surrounding states will lace up their sneakers for the Happy Half Trainer’s Half Marathon.

The run benefits the American Cancer Society.

Alex Loehrer, race co-director, said that the half-marathon fills a gap for people who are training to do a marathon in the fall. “Usually the marathons are in the big cities, like Columbus and Cincinnati in October. So at about this point in a runner’s training, they should be able to do a half-marathon. We thought this was a great way to partner with the bigger races and do a training run,” Loehrer said.

“As a runner, it’s fantastic to have a training race on a beautiful course in my own community,” said race co-director and signature sponsor, Dr. Patrick Dawson of New Image Eye Center. “As a medical professional who sees avoidable fitness-related medical issues every day, and whose family has been affected by cancer, my colleagues and I at New Image Eye Center are delighted to support the Happy Half and to promote active lifestyles and good health in our region.”

The Happy Half is being held in memory of the three race founders’ family member who lost his battle with cancer in 2011. The race founders informally ran the course in 2011 when they were training for a marathon to raise funds for their family member’s medical bills. “There’s a burgeoning endurance sports community in this area, so we decided to create a great race experience to propel runners on to their next event,” Loehrer said. “This course is just perfect – it’s flat, shaded and smooth, plus participants help fight cancer at the same time.”

“This race is a great opportunity to show off our community and trails to runners from all over Ohio and beyond,” said Loehrer. “Those runners would appreciate seeing Springfield residents along the route, cheering them on and welcoming them to the community. Runners love having people cheer for them. It lifts their spirits and helps them push through to the finish line.”