With weather forecasts predicting race temperatures to reach the low-80′s, Cellcom Green Bay Marathon organizers are taking extra precautions and urging the athletes to do the same.  Enhancements to address the heat include:

• MORE WATER!  There will be more fluids and more opportunities for fluids on the courses.  There will be 2 fluid stations on the 5K course, 10 on the half marathon course and 22 on the full marathon course, more than have ever been offered.  We have significantly increased the scheduled water delivery quantities for these stations as well.  Every station will offer Gatorade and water. 

• ICE, ICE BABY! For the first time, marathon organizers will have ice delivered to each of the fluid stations.  The water and Gatorade itself will NOT be iced down since the cups are often poured as much as an hour prior to the runners arrival.  Instead, water station personnel will offer cups of ice to the participants immediately past the fluids being offered.

• GET HOSED!  Marathon organizers are asking residents and businesses along the course routes to put out sprinklers and hoses to spray the runners and cool them off as they pass by. 

• INCREASED MEDICAL PRESENCE.  The number of medical stations on the course has been increased to 11, nearly every other mile.

• ICE BATH, ANYONE?  The finish line medical tent will offer “cold water immersion tanks” for severely overheated runners.

• FINISH LINE FLUIDS.  There will be over 30,000 Festival Foods water bottles at the finish area for participants and spectators.  Runners are encouraged to drink water BEFORE partaking in the beer or root beer that is also served at the finish line courtesy of Titletown Brewing Company.

Organizers are asking participants to take extra precautions as well.  They are urged to: 

• Wear lighter colored and moisture-wicking clothing

• Arrive well-hydrated at the starting line

• Place their personal safety over their pace.  “It’s probably not a day to set a PR (‘Personal Record’), folks,” says Race Director Sean Ryan.

• Take every opportunity to take in more fluids on the courses.

Finally, marathon organizers are also offering to let marathon registrants choose to run the half marathon instead and still receive an official finish time.  In previous years, marathon runners who switched to the half marathon on race day were disqualified.  Due to the extraordinary circumstances, organizers are making an exception this year.  Marathoners who choose to run the half marathon will still be given a full marathon t-shirt and medal but they can now make a “game day decision” to run the half marathon instead without being disqualified.

Personal safety takes the joint effort of both organizers and participants.  We’ll see you this weekend!

If you would like to know where your distance runner is on the course.  Sign up for free “runner tracking” by email or text messaging. 

Click HERE to sign up.

5K Runner tracking will be available for signup on Tuesday, May 15.

The WPS Kids’ Power Run gives children ages 10 and younger a chance to participate in the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon festivities. The half-mile run in the Lambeau Field parking lot will take place on Saturday, May 19 starting at 10 a.m.

The WPS Kids’ Power Run is targeted at our youngest runners. A race that takes places in the shadows of Lambeau Field and under the marathon finish arch is a great way for us to inspire a young audience for a lifetime of healthy activity.

“Community involvement and good health is a priority for WPS and their employees,” said Debbie Wendt, manager of customer communications. “The WPS Kids’ Power Run is just one example of how we support the community and our youth.”

There are divisions for children ages 10 and younger. Parents are encouraged to run with their children who are 6 or 7 and children 5 and younger must have an adult accompany them. Parents do not need to register to run with their child. Children will start in waves by age group with no more than 50 kids running at one time. The waves will start at 10 a.m.  with the 10-year-old kids and will switch to a new age group every 20 minutes with the final wave of kids five years of age and younger beginning at 11:40 a.m.

Registration for the WPS Kids’ Power Run is currently $10. Prices increase on April 30 and registration is open through the event itself. Parents can register their child online.

Nearly 300 kids are already registered for the WPS Kids’ Power Run.

The course route maps for the 2012 Cellcom Green Bay Marathon and Half Marathon are posted to the event website.  The routes are available for viewing on mapmyrun.com.  Printable course maps will be available on the website in early March.  The routes will be certified by USA Track & Field and an official course certification number will be posted to the website in early April.

CLICK HERE to see the 2012 Cellcom Green Bay Marathon course route

CLICK HERE to see the 2012 Cellcom Green Bay Half Marathon course route