MASON CITY – Marathoners took to the road Sunday, October 23rd in Mason City for Newman School’s 13th Annual “On the Road for Education.”
The marathon started at 8:00 a.m. sharp. The starting point was Music Man Square in downtown Mason City. The Star Spangled Banner was sung about 5 minutes before the start of the race. Last minute directions for the runners were then given and they were off and running all or part the 26.2 mile course.
There were actually several types of road races held, including a certified 26.2 mile marathon, a half marathon, a corporate relay marathon, a 10k and 5k run. There was also a kid’s fun run held on Saturday.
It was announced that about one hundred runners were involved in the marathon.
The marathon course passed through various parts of Mason City and out into to the surrounding countryside. The course went past historic sites in and around town, including the Meredith Wilson boyhood home, a Frank Lloyd Wright designed home in a historic district of Prairie School architecture.
The course covered a variety of surfaces including concrete streets, asphalt roads, paved trails, gravel country roads and un-paved nature trails. The course elevation changed no more than 100 feet throughout the entire 26.2 miles.
Around 11:00 a.m., runners were crossing over 19th Street SW, on their last mile to Newman School, the finishing point. Police officers Carroll and Baltierra were out directing traffic. The runners had the right of way on this day. The runners were tired and sore, but they kept on. From there you could hear on the loud speaker, the names of people crossing the finish line. “Some of the full marathon runners are already done, they passed here about a half hour ago,” said Carroll. Baltierra said, “Everybody will be in around two o’clock.”
Officer Carroll had an interesting story to share. He said that “there is a man that is running today, who after finishing this marathon, will have completed one in all fifty states.” This is not a small accomplishment. That man is Steve Neibergall, who is a Division President of Eastern Safeway at out of Baltimore, Maryland.
For safety purposes, absolutely no unregistered participants (including friends, family, coaches and pacers), automobiles, bicycles, strollers, in-line skates, hand cycles, hand-cycle wheelchairs or pets were allowed on the course. The marathon closed at a 6 hour limit, which would be 2:00 p.m. In accordance with USA Track and Field rules, individuals being paced or assisted would be disqualified and asked to leave the course.
All marathon finishers received a finisher medal at the end of the race at the finish line. Awards were presented to the overall male finisher and the overall female finisher and trophies for first place male & female in each age group. Awards were presented at 1:00 p.m. in the Newman High School Gym.
Officer Carroll said, “It’s a great day to run,” smiled, and went on, “if your into that sort of thing. The weather is perfect.” It was. Sunny, with a little cloud cover, making it the perfect temperature.
The On the Road for Education marathon is one of four marathons in Iowa that is certified by the U.S. Track and Field Association as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.
Ryan Snell, 27, won the overall race in a time of 2 hours 49 minutes and 30 seconds.
Jessica Wilson, 40, was the first female finisher in 3 hours, 22 minutes and 39 seconds.
Full race results can be found here.
