We were simply amazed at how quickly people signed up for this year’s race! In the first 5 days of registration, close to 1,500 people took advantage of the special pricing.

Many have asked about raising our cap to allow more runners into the race. Our mission at The Murfreesboro Half Marathon is to provide the best race we possibly can, not necessarily the largest. There is a concerted effort to maintain the quality of event that you expect year after year. By reaching our cap early, we are able to plan the event better. This allows us to appropriately allocate all of the needed resources needed to produce a great race day – including, but not limited to medals, bibs, shirts, food, and parking. Careful budgeting has allowed us to keep the price relatively low, a feature we know all runners appreciate!

Last fall, our board of directors determined our participation limit for 2011. Many factors are considered each year including logistics, in-kind sponsor availability and participant responses from the most recent event. The past 6 months of planning, paperwork, approvals, etc., has been based on 2,500 runners. We like growing, but at a manageable pace. (You runners know all about pacing!). After the race this year, we will determine the cap for next year’s race.

There are still a few options available for those who are not registered. Some of our sponsors may be holding drawings or contests to give away their spots. We will post these availabilities on Facebook as we are notified. Also, Fleet Feet Sports Murfreesboro has a very limited number of spots available in their half marathon training program.

Again, we are thrilled with the response during the registration process. Now, back to planning an exciting 2011 Murfreesboro Half Marathon!

I’m happy to announce that the 2011 Murfreesboro Half Marathon will be held on October 15, 2011… mark your running calendars now and plan to have the 2011 Murfreesboro Half Marathon be a part of your year’s schedule. And don’t forget to sign up early! Beginning May 1, 2011, early registration opportunities will be available for a limited time. We anticipate another sellout this year – so don’t miss out on The Middle Half!

Through careful spending and assistance from sponsors, The Middle Half is able to make donations to these groups that are an important part of the event and the running community.

This year donations were made to the following organizations at the December 1 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting:

$500 Greenhouse Ministries for picking up all the discarded jackets and clothing at the starting line
$750 Books from Birth for stuffing the goodie bags
$1000 Oaklands Historic House & Museum
$1000 Special Kids for their help in organizing Murph’s Fun Run and by supporting the running community through their Team A.S.K. (Athletes for Special Kids)
$2000 Main Street Revitalization Program for their support of the race, and for organizing the Pre-race Pasta Party
$2000 Murfreesboro City Schools: Family Resource Center
$2000 Murfreesboro Pacers for their support of the local running community and for organizing our Elite runners
$2500 Junior League of Murfreesboro for staffing the 3-day Packet Pickup
$2000 Murfreesboro Police Department to go toward a specially fitted bike to patrol the Greenway –
$2500 One Hundred Club – (Police Benevolent Fund)
$2500 worth of shoes and uniforms for participants of the Hershey Track & Field program who would not be able to afford a good pair of running shoes. These will be donated at cost by Fleet Feet Sports Murfreesboro.
$3000 MTSU Track and Cross Country (BRAA)
$3000 Friends of the Greenway
$4000 Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department to use for race items and supplies such as traffic cones, tents, tables, etc.
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Donations totaling over $6500 were also made to organizations that provided volunteers on race day: Noon Rotary Club, Noon Exchange Club, District Lion’s Club, The Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, MTSU’s Kappa Alpha Order and Riverdale High School ROTC. Girl Scout Troop 1609 received a donation for unwrapping the individually wrapped finishers’ medals before race day.

To each of these groups: THANK YOU!!!

Congratulations to Micah Tirop for not only winning the 2010 Murfreesboro Half Marathon, but also for breaking the overall State of Tennessee record for a half marathon! (1:05:43)

Janet Cherobon defended her Middle Half title by winning the Women’s race with a new course and Tennessee age/gender record! (1:17:12)

Each of the athletes below now hold Tennessee State Age/Gender Records – all broken at the 2010 Murfreesboro Half Marathon!

Name/Age/Residence/Finish time

• Micah Tirop, Age 27, Murfreesboro TN, 1:05:43, *Overall Tennessee Record
• Joseph Maina, Age 28, Richmond Ky, 1:05:58
• Timothy O’Leary, Age 48, Antioch TN, 1:19:49
• Jillian Mastroianni, Age 28, Nashville TN, 1:24:12
• Janet Cherobon, Age 32, Rome GA, 1:17:12
• Sonja Friend-Uhl, Age 39, Brentwood TN, 1:19:00
• Margie Stoll, Age 69, Nashville TN, 1:51:49
• Valera Jones, Age 75, Murfreesboro TN, 2:29:41

These are some amazing results from an outstanding race day! We are extremely proud of these incredible athletes – as well as all of the finishers of The Murfreesboro Half Marathon!

Poster dimensions are 11 in x 17 in., free with a donation of $10.00 or more, (limit 2 posters per person).

Be sure to get your packet early, as a limited number of these exclusive posters were made!

On race day, drop your keys and ID off at our Key Drop Off trailer which will be located in the parking area right in front of the entrance to MTSU’s Dean Hayes Track & Soccer Stadium, then pick them up after the race.

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Pick up a clear ziplock bag from the Key Drop off trailer.
2. Insert keys and/or I.D. and the tear-off tab from your bib that says “Key Drop Off” with your bib number.
3. Zip up the bag and drop it off at the trailer. For your protection and ours, you’ll be asked to sign a list with your bib number.
4. Pick up your keys after you finish the race.

*Do NOT leave your wallet or valuables, and if you can separate your car key from all the others you may have, that would be even better.

Murph is the host of the national award winning children’s educational television program Adventures in Murphry’s Burrow which airs on the cable access channel City 3.  Now in its seventh season, the series is a winning collaboration between Murfreesboro City Schools, City 3, and series creator Nancy Phillips.  Tune in weekdays at 3:30 p.m. and weekends at 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. for the newest episode.

“I am so ‘hoppy’ to be the face of the Murfreesboro Fun Run,” said Murph. “Even with the hectic life of a celebrity, I try to stay healthy and to let children know how important it is to eat right and get plenty of exercise. I guess I am the obvious choice for spokesbunny since I run everywhere I go!”

Special Kids, Inc., will be providing volunteers for Murph’s Fun Run.

“It is going to be so much fun and everyone is welcomed….except for tortoises (due to their unfair advantage and secret ninja skills),” said Murph.

Of course, we’re always needing volunteers for the event. Online volunteer registration is available now. Go ahead, it’s a lot of fun!

Thanks to everyone who signed up early!

Come to their informational meeting and find out how their coaches can help you train for The Middle Half or the Kids Fun Run, while you help one of their Special Kids.

Kids Team A.S.K. for the Kids Fun Run
Date: Tuesday, June 8
Time: 6:00 pm
Special Kids Annex Building
202 Arnette St. Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Hosts: Kristen Jackson & Sharon Perry
kjackson@specialkidstn.com
RSVP to Facebook Event Team A.S.K.

Team A.S.K. for The Middle Half
Date: Thursday, June 10
Time: 6:00 pm
Special Kids Annex Building
202 Arnette St. Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Hosts: Sharon Perry & Mike Moore
sperry@specialkidstn.com
RSVP to Facebook Event Team A.S.K.