Great Miami Riverway Half

This year The Great Miami Riverway Half Marathon is supporting The Hope Scholarship. Over the past two years, they have presented a totaling of thirteen local high school seniors a Character Scholarship totally $14,000, and honored them at their graduations in front of their peers, parents, and school faculty as well as showing up at individual houses to present them with the scholarship. Each scholarship was based on their personal character. It is such an amazing experience to give this kind of accolade. The Hope Scholarship believes character is the most important thing you can honor.  After all, what good is athleticism without character?  What good is beauty without character?  What good is wealth, prestige, or intelligence without character? Please consider giving to this excellent cause by donating!

Details for this year's race!
We are just a few days away from the 2024 Great Miami Riverway Half Marathon!  We are so happy that you have signed up for this exciting event.  If you haven’t signed up yet you can still register online until race start on Sunday morning at 8am.

PACKET PICKUP: Saturday 8:00am-4:00pm at Can’t Stop Running Company located at 321 N. Main Street Piqua.  Sunday starting at 6:30am at the corner of Water and Cherry St in Troy (near the Start Line). Please do not arrive before 6:30am as volunteers will still be putting the final touches on setup.  Make sure to place your bib on the FRONT of your shirt.  

REGISTRATION: If you know someone who is still interested in the race but has not yet signed up please forward this email to them.  Online registration is available up until race time.  

PARKING:  Options for parking include Hobart Arena and downtown streets. The shuttle bus will be dropping you off near the Miami County courthouse. Please take note of the no parking signs and road closures for the race.

BAG DROP: Can't Stop Running Company will again be providing bag drop and pick up.  Look for the bag drop tent prior to the race.  Plastic bags will be provided if needed or you may use your own bag. No hard containers permitted.  Pick up will be at the store after the race.  Can't Stop Running Company is not liable for any valuables missing.

COURSE: The course is similar to last year, but with a few changes. Some new changes that were introduced a couple years ago to take note of. One in the first mile and the other in the last half mile.  In the first mile, at 0.4 miles into the race as you cross over the Adams Street Bridge the course now turns left and heads down the bike path between the river and City Park. The bike path extends all the way to Duke Park. Again this year, we will go across/through the covered bridge at Eldean Rd, before we circle back to the bike path on the North Side of Eldean Rd. The finish is now a straight shot into Lock 9 in Piqua.  You'll finish in Piqua's brand new park alongside the Miami River.

https://onthegomap.com/s/k13an30j

This race utilizes the bike path as much as possible.  Whenever possible stay on the bike path, if you are to exit the bike path it will be marked by a sign, caution tape, volunteer, etc. There will be some crossing of roads with live traffic on them.  These crossings will have volunteers or law enforcement to help control the traffic.  With that being said, runners are instructed to be vigilant and aware at every crossing as sometimes traffic accidents do happen.  There are three locations where you need to be mindful of crossing traffic and runners should watch for cars as a traditional pedestrian street crossing:
1) Lytle Rd Crossing
2) Eldean Rd after going through the Bridge
3) Peterson Rd Crossing
Please be mindful of traffic and run on the appropriate side of the road for this short stretch.

EARLY START:  The purpose of the early start is to allow for the roads throughout the course to open back up as soon as practical.  All walkers and those planning to finish the race longer than 3 hours should start the race at 7:00am.  In addition to opening the roads back up starting earlier will give those participants a better finish line experience as more spectators and other runners will still be in the area as they should be finishing close to the three-hour finishers.  Roads will not be closed until the first runner passes so those starting at this time should be vigilant to traffic until the first runner passes them.  Most participants walking will be walking with others, since some parts of the bike path can be narrow it will be necessary for the walkers to go single file and stay to the RIGHT side of the path when runners are passing. Runners can help with this by yelling “runner” or “passing” when approaching walkers and by also passing on the LEFT side of the path. If things work out, both runners and walkers can have a more enjoyable race experience.  

START: Start time is 8:00am! The start line will be on Water Street near the intersection of Cherry Street. Make sure you have your bib is placed on the front of your shirt.   When lining up please use your judgement and line up according to pace.  There are not official corrals.  This way everyone is courteous of their fellow runners!  Everyone should be lined up on Water Street by 7:55. There will be port-o-pots and water available near the start area.  Please remember that everyone wants to use the restroom in the last 5-10 minutes before the race and that is what causes the backup.  Feel free to do your business before 7:45!
 
WATER/NUTRITION STOPS: There will be five stops not counting the start or finish.
·         2.7 miles – water and Gatorade
·         5.2 miles – water and Gatorade
·         7.5 miles – water and Gels
·         9.8 miles – water and Gatorade
·         11.8 miles – water and Gatorade

REST ROOMS:  Will be located at 2.8 miles, 7.5 miles, and 8.2 miles.

Pace Groups: We have pace groups available for the following finish times:
1:45 Finish

2:00 Finish

2:15 Finish

2:30 Finish
If you'd like to run with a pace group, look for the pacers at the beginning of the race.

SPECTATORS: Friends and family are encouraged to take part and cheer you (or everyone) to the finish line.  With this being a point-to-point course that makes it somewhat difficult. Here are a few suggestions to pass along to your entourage:

PLACES TO WATCH:

·         0.5 miles & 4 miles – Adams Street Bridge.  Runners will be crossing on the west side of the sidewalk on the Adams Street Bridge so that will be off limits to spectators. This is very close to the start.  After runners cross this bridge the first time the road will open to traffic.

·         Around 5 mile mark in Westbrook. There will be places to park.

·         8 mile mark - across from UVMC there is a parking lot. This lot offers easy access from 25A and is in between Troy and Piqua so there would still be time to see you at the finish line.

PLACES NOT TO WATCH: 

·         The Eldean Covered Bridge – There will be two road crossings here and a water stop in the parking lot. There will likely be a lot of traffic in this area so a much better option is the lot a half mile down the road across from UVMC mentioned above. 

·         Farrington Reserve off Peterson Road – Peterson Road will be closed to traffic between Piqua-Troy Rd. and County Road 25A for the safety of runners crossing the road. Trying to get into this lot will be a safety hazard for runners so you will not be able to enter this area.

POST RACE: Water, Gatorade, cookies, bananas, complimentary beers at Crooked Handle Brewery!  There will be a picture backdrop located near the finish line, be sure to get your picture with your finisher's medal to commemorate your accomplishment!  Crooked Handle will be serving drinks by the time you finish and they will open the kitchen to sell special breakfast burritos around 10:00am.  Race participants will be eligible for 1 free beer with their race entry.  We appreciate the sponsorship of Crooked Handle and would encourage you to grab a bite to eat and something to drink while you recover from your run and while you wait for awards.  We'd love to see everyone support them in a big way!

MASSAGE/RECOVERY: Once again this year our good friends from Xcel Physical Therapy of Vandalia, Anna, and Beavercreek will be at the finish line to help you work out any post-race cramps or soreness you may have.  Their tent will be set up around 9:30am.

SHUTTLE BUS: The shuttle bus will be a party bus from Redskin Express.  The bus will leave from the corner of High Street and Spring Street at approximately 9:45. The bus will operate on a rolling schedule until approximately 11:00.  If the bus is not there don’t worry it will be back soon. The bus will drop you off near the courthouse in Troy.  The bus is for race participants only! You do not have to return on the shuttle.  Feel free to invite friends and family to the finish line and ride back with them.

RESULTS: Will be posted on http://www.cantstoprunningco.com/results/

AWARD CEREMONY: This will take place around 10:30 on the back patio of Crooked Handle Brewery. Top 3 overall and in each age group will receive an award.  If you are not finished by 10:30 or leave early and win an award it will be available for pickup at Can’t Stop Running Company starting Sunday afternoon.

Your Impact:
 Ever since the first year of the race (2014) local area cross country teams have helped support the race by volunteering their time to work water stops and parts of the race course as a fundraiser.  Several of the area teams that have worked the race have included Piqua High School XC, Troy High School XC, Tippecanoe XC, Milton Union XC, Bethel XC and Covington XC.  Your donations to the support these local programs will be divided up equally and used to help fund their team's season expenses.

We hope everyone is as excited as we are for the race and good weather joins us again!  Everyone please remember, especially at the start and finish area as well as all along the path to please use the trash receptacles and keep this wonderful path clean.

If you have questions, feel free to check out the Facebook page as someone may have already asked the same question as you.

Thank you and good luck!

 Ryan King
Race Director