Lace up your running shoes and get ready to hit the pavement. There’s a half marathon coming to Viola.
Registration is currently under way for the inaugural Viola Valley Half Marathon and Bluegrass and Breakfast Festival. It’s set for May 19 with the race to start at 8 a.m.
“It’s a real pretty course that goes through three counties so we hope people will come out and run,” said Keri Hertwig Nunley, who is helping to organize the 13.1-mile race that will travel through Warren, Grundy and Coffee counties. “It’s mostly a flat course with a few rolling hills so it shouldn’t be bad.”
As its name suggests, the day will feature more than the half marathon. Three bluegrass bands are scheduled to perform and breakfast will be served on Viola Town Square beginning at 7 a.m.
“We don’t have a spring festival in Viola so this is something we’re looking to start and we hope it grows,” said Kevin Deason, who is organizing activities other than the race. “I’m not a runner so I didn’t realize the level of interest these things have, but we’re getting online sign-ups every day. People seem to be excited about running a race that goes through three counties.”
Deason has yet to finalize the bluegrass lineup, but he says three bands will perform. Once breakfast is over, burgers and hot dogs will be served for lunch. The start and finish of the race and all activities will center around Viola Town Square.
The half marathon will feature a chip timing system, unique trophies for the winners, participation medals, and a T-shirt. The cost of the race is currently $40 with Nunley saying she expects it to increase closer to race day.
You can register for the race by visiting www.active.com, and you can find out more information by visiting www.violavalleyhalfmarathon.com. The second website has been up about three weeks, according to Deason, and had received 634 hits as of yesterday afternoon.
It will be Warren County’s first half marathon since the city of McMinnville sponsored races in 2004 and 2005.