Registration is past FULL for the Inaugural Emerald City Quarter and Half Marathon at the Dublin Methodist Hospital in beautiful Dublin, Ohio. This inaugural event is on a spectacular course that winds through the Glacier Ridge Metro Park.

After exceeding our initial registration limits but due to the demand, we worked with our vendors and the City of Dublin and can now guarantee you a spot in the event if you register BEFORE August 27th. We are currently taking about 100 registrations a day and need to close registration soon. Register Now!

Prior to creating running and walking events, I was a lawyer in the technology space. Our clients were always looking for the "NEXT BIG THING" and then "running" as hard as they could to develop it. Sometimes it was right in front of them, sometimes they had to work very hard to find it. When we bought the Chicago Distance Classic back in 2002 it was a 20k (12.4 miles). The original plan was to develop a series of 20k's. Can you say "8 track player"? I was lucky enough to be smack dab in our target demographic and was preparing to run my first half marathon. I had little interest in running 26.2 miles but I liked the "full half" marathon 13.1 mile idea. We changed it to a half and soon had over 10,000 participants. We then created the Capital City and Arizona Distance Classic half marathons which have experienced tremendous growth. Now the half marathon is the most popular distance on the planet. Can you say "IPOD"? It WAS the next big thing and is now an established stand alone distance.

When we launched the Emerald City Quarter Marathon (6.55 miles) we had no idea of the overwhelming popularity of that distance. However, looking back, this Next Big Thing was right in front of us. It makes perfect sense. You need to train well, need a race plan and can enjoy all of the Celebration afterwards. This is not just half of a half marathon, this is a FULL quarter marathon. In 2011 you will see us add THE QUARTER to Capital City, Arizona and other stops on the CELEBRATION TOUR! Can you say "IPAD"?

On Labor Day weekend come CELEBRATE with us. You are part of the NEXT big thing.

I also want to offer my belated congratulations to Darris Blackford, the new race director of the Columbus Marathon. Darris and I have been looking for ways to work together to provide an even better participant experience for all of you in the Columbus running and walking community and beyond. In 2010, the Columbus Marathon will use starting corrals organized by a prior finishing time. Your time at Emerald City is one of your last chances to qualify you for a corral at the Marathon.

FACEBOOK: We are communicating race information with you on the M3S Sports Facebook Fan Page. We want to see your posts as to why a Quarter is just right for you and want to see your training photos.

Giddy Up!

David

Support KidSMILES Dental Clinic when you register and receive a free Smile Big T-Shirt courtesy of Edwards Family Dental. When you register to race, enter the Coupon Code "KidSMILES" and M3S will donate $10 from your race entry fee to KidSMILES Pediatric Clinic. KidSMILES is a non-profit clinic that provides dental care to underpriviliged children.

You will receive a Smile Big T-shirt just for entering the code. Just print out your registration receipt and bring it to Edwards Family Dental at 6235 Perimeter Drive in Dublin to pick up your free T-shirt. Register now!

The Ultimat Post Race Brunch VIP Party presented by Ultimat Vodka, Michelob Ultra and Matt the Millers opens at 8am at Matt The Miller's Tavern ( a few hundred yards from the Finish Line.) Every participant receives a Free Bloody Mary or Ultimate Orange Crush and a better than half price deal on brunch. Check out this menu! The drink is included in your registration fee, the brunch which is normally $15 is only $6.55! (length of the quarter). Michelob Ultra will be on special as well.

Everyone is a VIP in the Emerald City, no visit to Oz is necessary. Just bring your bib or Finisher's Medal for FREE admission to the party.

The Oktoberfest Meiler Vier (Four Miler) is the only way to kick off Oktoberfest. Join us for a great four mile run or walk, followed by a post race party second to none.

The race will take place Friday night September 24th at 6pm around the tapping of the Keg Celebration at the Annual Oktoberfest Celebration. In addition to the now famous Finisher's Medal and Technical Shirt, every participant will receive a Schmidt's Sausage, a cold beer, and much more. "Willkommen!!!!"

The field will again be limited to the first 500 runners and walkers so Register Now!

Introducing Chica Bands, our newest partner in the Emerald City Half and Quarter Marathon. Chica Bands will be given to all female age group award winners. Give hair hassle the boot before the race with Chica Bands, the best Non-Slip Hair Band for active women! Click here to choose from over 200 styles!

Once we celebrated our final finisher in the 2010 Cap City event, our team went to work and began building the 2011 Celebration. The Capital City Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon and Commit to Be Fit 5k will be on May 7, 2011 and registration is now open.

Register by 8.31 and get the lowest registration fee of the event! Use the coupon code "Early11" and save another $5. In addition, until 8.31, you can upgrade your registration to the Diamond Cellar VIP Experience for only $40. The Diamond Cellar VIP Experience includes the official race jacket, a cocktail reception at the Diamond Cellar, lunch and dinner at Cotters Restaurant on race day and numerous other perks. The discounted fee for registration and VIP and the coupon code all expire on 8.31. Register Now!

COURSE CHANGES: We have worked closely with Nationwide Realty Investors, the Columbus Police Department and the City of Columbus to build you one of the best Half Marathon courses in the country and a second to none tour of Columbus. We have modified the start and finish lines and widened the half marathon course to accommodate our 2011 Registration Cap of 15,000 participants.

The Inaugural Quarter Marathon: HALF THE DISTANCE...ALL THE CELEBRATION. The next BIG thing joins Cap City.

The ULTIMATE weather, the ULTIMATE scenery, the ULTIMATE destination CELEBRATION! Come join us in beautiful Arizona for the 7th Anniversary of the Valley of Gold Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon and Oro Valley Hospital 5k.

Now is the time to book your stay at the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Resort. We have been able to secure a limited number of rooms at the $159 price. Each of those special rooms come with a special gift for you - a FREE VIP UPGRADE.

You will have total VIP access! You get two credentials into the VIP Tent for breakfast and private porta potties. You will also receive the Mizuno 1/2 zip official jacket ($70 value). These rooms will sell out quickly. Make your reservations now!

Get Fit. Stay Fit. Live Fit.
David