Runners will hit Sweet Home’s streets Saturday morning for the inaugural Hero Half Marathon and two shorter races.
The races are an effort by organizer Rachel Kittson-MaQatish of Sweet Home to help a grieving family and friends, who included her own son-in-law, after the death of a young soldier from Boring.
Cpl. Keaton Coffey was killed in action at age 22 in Afganistan on May 24, 2012, a few weeks before he was scheduled to return home from his final deployment and six weeks before what would have been his wedding day.
MaQatish became interested in raising money for a scholarship fund in honor of Coffey.
Sponsored by Community Chapel, The Morley Thomas Law Firm, and KRKT, along with contributions from many others, proceeds will be split evenly between the Keaton Coffey Scholarship, The Wounded Warrior Project and Operation Home Front, all programs that assist veterans or active-duty service people.
Kittson-MaQatish said earlier this week that she expects some 175 runners for the event.
The half marathon and 8K runs start at 8 a.m. at the Community Chapel. A shorter 1.3-mile trail run will be held on the Chapel grounds later in the morning.
The road runs will proceed past the Boys and Girls Club, across Weddle Bridge, along Hawthorne Street and 12th Avenue to Oak Heights School, and then on the South Hills Trail to Old Holley Road, where the 8K returns to Community Chapel along the south end of the trail.
The half marathon will turn right onto Old Holley Road, taking runners up the hill and on to Highway 228, where they will turn around at Holley Church, then return. They will then rejoin the 8K route, turning right off Old Holley into Canyon Creek Estates and taking the trail to Elm Street, turn right to Mountain View and then onto Ames Creek to return to the Chapel.
“Traffic to and from Ames Creek will be congested and all drivers should be careful of runners on the road,” Kittson-MaQatish cautioned.
She said no-parking signs and cones will be placed along the route Friday afternoon and a Sheriff’s Juvenile Department Work Crew will follow the runners, retrieving them.
“While the runners will pass through certain areas quickly, and the course will be cleaned up by the Juvenile Department Work Crew quickly, the course will be open from 8 a.m. to noon and drivers should be aware of runners on the road,” Kittson-MaQatish said.
Runners and walkers will be escorted and monitored by members of the Road Maggots and NW Veterans Motorcycle Clubs along the route.
Runners and spectators should arrive at the event by 7:30 a.m. or wait until after 8:20, she said.
A silent auction will be held until noon at the Chapel.
“If you want to come out, but can’t that early, a good time to come out would be 10 o’clock,” Kittson-MaQatish said. “If you live on the course, please come out and cheer for the runners.”
Some recommended spots to watch and cheer from are Sankey Park, from 8:10 to 8:30 a.m., and Holley Church from 9 to 11 a.m.
Anyone wishing to register for the races should visit GetMeRegistered.com. Late registrations will be accepted at 6:45 a.m. at the Chapel.
Those wishing to volunteer should visit http://volunteer.getmeregistered.com/events/assign_approve_vols.php?id=12&job=174#top .