Press Release
Western Carolina University
Online registration is taking place for Western Carolina University’s fourth annual Valley of the Lilies Half Marathon and 5-K, which will be held Saturday, April 5, on the campus in Cullowhee.
The half marathon will begin at 8 a.m. and take runners on a 13.1-mile journey across the WCU campus and along quiet country roads beside the Tuckaseigee River. The 5-K (3.1-mile) race begins at 8:15 a.m.
Packet pickup will be held at WCU’s Campus Recreation Center from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 3, and Friday, April 4. Race day packet pickup will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. at the recreation center.
Runners will find numerous aid stations with water and sports drink along the route, and mile-markers will help them chart their progress. All registered runners will receive a short-sleeve technical shirt.
A free Valley of the Lilies training program developed by the WCU athletic training staff will be e-mailed to all half marathon and 5-K registrants in late December. All runners and walkers are invited to participate in the program, which also will offer group runs starting at the Alumni Tower on the WCU campus four mornings each week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) beginning Monday, Jan. 6. Tracks will be available for both beginner and advanced runners, and experts in the fields of injury prevention, nutrition and health will provide information sessions and assistance to runners and walkers.
WCU’s School of Health Sciences and Department of Campus Recreation and Wellness are hosting the races. Proceeds will be used to assist WCU students with expenses for professional development opportunities such as presentations and travel to workshops and conferences.Online registration for the half marathon and 5-K is available at imathlete.com. Registration fees are $40 for the half marathon and $20 for the 5-K through Friday, Feb. 28. Beginning Saturday, March 1, the fees increase to $60 for the half marathon and $25 for the 5-K. Online registration will close Tuesday, April 1, but race day registration will be available at $80 for the half marathon and $30 for the 5-K.
For more information about the Valley of the Lilies Half Marathon and 5-K, go to http://halfmarathon.wcu.edu or contact race directors Shauna Sage or James Scifers at ValleyoftheLilies@wcu.edu.
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