• 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!

 The Prevea Health & Fitness Expo is set to kick off a weekend of activities in conjunction with the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon. Beginning Friday, May 18 from 3 to 7 p.m. and continuing on Saturday, May 19 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the expo features more than 50 exhibitors at the Lambeau Field Atrium with the latest running shoes, sports apparel, training tips, free samples, and  health and nutrition products. This event is free of charge and open to the public.

Saturday’s expo will also include course talks describing the course and first time marathoner panels providing tips for first time marathoners. The first timers’ forums will be led by Cellcom Green Bay Marathon first timers’ director Larry Lueck at noon and 3 p.m. Course lectures will be presented by the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon race director Sean Ryan at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The race weekend schedule for registration and packet pick up will be as follows –

FRIDAY, MAY 18TH (Lambeau Field Atrium)

3:00 pm – 7:00 pm:        Registration and packet pick up for all events

                                       (Cellcom Marathon, Marathon Relay, Half Marathon, 5K and WPS Kids’ Power Run)

Saturday, May 19th (Lambeau Field Atrium)

7:00 am – 8:30 am:        Packet pick up for the Cellcom Green Bay 5K (start time is 8:30 am – CLICK HERE)

8:30 am – 10:30 am:      Registration and packet pick up for the WPS Kids’ Power Run

                                       (start times vary between 10 am and 11 am – CLICK HERE)

10:00 am – 7:00 pm:      Registration and packet pick up for the Cellcom Marathon,

                                       Marathon Relay and Half Marathon

Sunday, May 20th (Lombardi Avenue in front of Lambeau Field)

7:00 am                          Start of Cellcom Green Bay Marathon, Marathon Relay and Half Marathon

To qualify as elite runners, men must have completed a marathon in 2:40 or less within the past two years, and women must have completed a marathon in 3 hours or less within the past two years. Half marathon qualifying times are 1:13 for men and 1:26 for women. The winners of the men’s and women’s marathon each receive $3,000 of the $20,000 prize money. Prizes are awarded to the top 5 finishers in both the men’s and women’s marathon and the top five finishers in both the men’s and women’s half marathon.

The men’s marathon field features a total of 14 runners, including:

• Peter O. Ayieni – 2011 full marathon winner
• James Boitt – course record holder, Second place in 2011
• David Tuwei     
• Edward Tabut
• Youssef Bouharrat       
• Steven Babcock           
• Ben Garbe
• Mike Heling
• Scott Downard 
• El Houssin Boutachouine          
• Abdesamad Aliouat      
• Geofrey Terer
• Jonathon Ndambuki
• Ronald Kurui

The women’s elite marathon field features a total of 10 runners: 

• Fatiha Nahal
• Lea Thorvilson
• Lindsay Henkels
• Anne Giesel
• Jenny Graef
• Stacey Kincaid
• Grace Trabulsi
• Karen Meraw
• Justyna Mudy
• Jules Ralston

The men’s elite half marathon will feature several the 2011 winner and several top ten finishers:

• Tyler Sigl – Half marathon winner 2011
• Zach Bruns – 4th place half marathon 2011
• Jason Ryf – 7th place half marathon 2011
• Aaron Nodolf – 8th place half marathon 2011
• Brad Theyerl – 9th place half marathon 2011
• Brian Menaker – 10th place half marathon 2011
• Richard Kandie 
• Paul Njoroge
• Kalvin Nyamwange
• Joseph Sepe
• Tommy Ries 
• Tyler Sullivan 
• Obed Gisemba 

The women’s half marathon course record holder and 2011 winner Jenna Boren, as well as, 13 other elite athletes:

• Jenna Boren – Course record holder; winner 2011, 2009, 2008,
• Valerie Hubbard – Half marathon winner 2010
• Katie Howery – Winner full marathon 2011
• Jessica Sigl – 6th place full marathon 2011
• Jenna Mitchler – 4th place half marathon 2011
• Theresa Stanley – 5th place half marathon 2011
• Erin Kelley – 6th place half marathon 2011
• Kim Nodolf
• Jennifer Chaudoir
• Sarah Kaufman
• Stephanie Smith           
• Andrea Larabee
• Shannon Braun
• Dorcus Chesang

Click HERE to sign up.

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

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.

To transfer a registration between participants: click here

To change events: click here

Operation Lifesaver’s mission is to end collisions, deaths and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and on rail property through a nationwide network of volunteers who work to educate people about rail safety. For more information and safety tips for motorists and pedestrians, log on to www.oli.org.

http://www.operationlifesaver.com/video/view/running

To register for an event (online registration accepted only), click here

Fore more information on Run for a Reason, click here