Gettysburg Festival of Races

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania – February 1, 2012 Runners are gearing up for the second annual Gettysburg North-South Marathon, April 29, through the battlefields and scenic countryside surrounding the historic Pennsylvania town. Coming off a successful inaugural race in 2011, organizers have made some great changes including the course layout. This year’s route will be a loop course, changed from the out-and-back course in 2011, that starts near Gettysburg College, runs through the Gettysburg battlefield and out into the Adams County countryside and back to town. “While the first half of the race is almost the same as last year, the second half will be easier – mostly downhill – and runners will enjoy the scenery on this new course,” said organizer Lowell Ladd. Like last year, all individual registrants will elect to run for the North or the South, and the race will include a scored competition between the two sides. The winning team will win a commemorative prize. The 2011 race included 900 runners and 100 relay teams. “I was overwhelmed by the interest in the inaugural event,” said Ladd. “I was thrilled with the support of the community, especially the residents along the course who came out to cheer on the runners.” New this year is a mobility impaired division for push-rim wheel chairs and crank-cycle chairs. The course is measured according to USATF standards and will be certified as a qualification race for the Boston Marathon. To register or find race details, visit www.gettysburgnorthsouthmarathon.com For more information on the Gettysburg North-South Marathon, call (866) 329-9382 or email racedirector@gettysburgnorthsouthmarathon.com.

§staticmap(10706,5,450,250)On April 29 2012, you’ll be organizing the Gettysburg North-South Marathon. Can you tell us where it is located? The race is located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (United States). How old is the race and why was it created in the first place? This will be the 2nd edition of the race. It was created to give people an opportunity to run the premier distance of 26.2 miles (42.2km) in a historic pace. What kind of route have you set up for the runners? How would you describe it? The route will be a loop course with rolling hills. The first half of the race will be more challenging with most of the uphills and the second half will be mostly downhill. Credit : Gettysburg North-South MarathonHow many runners do you expect on Sunday morning? What type of runners do you plan to attract? We had a sell out in 2011 with 900 individuals and 100 relay teams. I expect approximately 1,400 individuals and 100 relay teams in 2012. Because of the history behind Gettysburg, the race draws from people throughout the United States. Do you organize other races during the Week-End? If so, on what distances? There is a marathon relay that will allow teams of 4 to run the marathon in sections. At that time of the year, what kind of weather can we expect? Weather is ideal for running in the early morning and slightly warm by the time late finishers complete the race on average. Have you planned festivities around the marathon? Nothing specific for 2012 yet. The race finished, what advice would you give a runner who has never been to Gettysburg before? A good restaurant, a fancy sightseeing? Gettysburg is the site of the largest battle of the American Civil War. Approximately 50,000 people died there over three days in 1863. There are many historic sites to visit before or after the race. In a single sentence, what would you tell the readers of ahotu Marathons to make them register for the Gettysburg North-South Marathon? This historic race takes part in a historic small town of Gettysburg and travels through the famous battlefields and scenic countryside passing by farms and orchards. Credit : Gettysburg North-South Marathon Interview with Lowell Ladd, race director. Lowell has run 16 marathons with a personal best of 2:22:34 and having won 6 of those races. He is also a personal running coach, and the manager of 2LCoaching.com.