THE BEST VALUE! - Register by October 31st and get the best value of the year. There are no additional fees to register online. You can't beat this value. The price you see is what you pay. Come Celebrate like a Champion with us.

The 8th Anniversary of the 2010 Capital City Half and Quarter Marathon on May 7, 2011 has a new course, a new quarter marathon and new charity partners.

COOL THINGS: I have had the honor and privilege to welcome more than 30,000 of you through our finish line at M3S Events this year. The smiles when you cross the finish line are incredibly rewarding. Whether it is watching participants transform from a sedentary lifestyle into athletes or those of you transitioning from casual athlete to those seeking a new personal best, this journey has been amazing. A few weeks ago at the Columbus Marathon Expo I spent 2 days talking to many of you. I was struck by how happy you were. Becoming an athlete brings many treasures including your clothes fitting better, having more energy, creating optimism and the feeling of empowerment.

When asked why we throw parties at every M3S Sports event, the answer is simple: Your lifestyle deserves to be celebrated. You are eating less and moving more. Obesity is a major epidemic in this country and being active is a huge part of the cure.

NEW CHAMPION COURSE: I have spoken to many of you over the past 6 months and I acknowledge that the bike path, while beautiful, will not be wide enough to accommodate the size of our event as we continue to grow. When we set out to develop a new course with less turns, lots of straight aways and scenic views, we were looking to create a champion course. What happened exceeded even my own expectations. The new course starts on the corner of Spring and Neil and then finishes on Nationwide Ave in the heart of the Arena District. Capital City now has arguably one of the best half marathon courses in the country.

NEW HEALTH AND FITNESS PARTY MAY 5TH AND 6TH: With thousands of out of town participants coming to join us in Columbus, Ohio we have booked rooms at the special rate of $129 a night at the Hyatt Regency Columbus and have added pre race expo party on May 5th and 6th in the recently renovated Battelle Hall. We have added a lounge, champion meet and greet and cool shopping.

FACEBOOK - If you Follow us on FACEBOOK, you know we put out special offers, announce other events, and communicate with you often. Come join us!

We want to help raise ONE MILLION Dollars for charities at this year's Capital City Half Marathon.

The Capital Kids After School Program is again going to be the exclusive beneficiary of the Capital Kids Mascot Chase and an official charity of the Capital City Half Marathon. We had the chance to join Mayor Coleman, Director Alan McKnight and Sheri-Lynn Wynn at the Capital Kids Open house. We met the kids, the educators and toured the Sullivant Avenue center. This year I want to make a significant impact for the Kids. I am going to challenge my team, my family, myself and all of you to join me to help support the kind of work that is getting done by Mrs. B and the rest of the team at the program.

RUN FOR A REASON! - In 2011, Team in Training will, for the 7th year in a row, be an Official Charity of the event.

I have worked with Andrea Zelinski from Team in Training for years as TNT participants in Cap City have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. TNT is hoping to raise well over $200,000 from this event alone in 2011. The money will go toward research, patient services and education in efforts to find a cure for blood cancers.

MAKE YOUR MILES MORE MEANINGFUL! TheAmerican Cancer Society's DetermiNation program will be an Official Charity for 2011.

I have had the pleasure to meet with and spend some time with Kristy Kalnitzky from the DetermiNation program. We think this will be a huge addition to the event and I look forward to working with her and her team. Together we have already come up with some great ideas to help raise funds and help the American Cancer Society in their mission to help create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

The event will continue to support a number of other local, regional and national charities. We would welcome new charity partners or to have you be part of our charity volunteer program? Come check us out.

When we started Cap City 8 years ago we had a vision for creating a world class event in this world class city. That said, it is a huge testament to our community that in just 8 years we have built a truly regional event with over $5 Million annually in visitor spending, the booking of almost 750 hotel room nights and a celebration party for 15,000 of your closest friends.

Cap City has a huge competitive advantage over other events as Columbus, Ohio is a vibrant city with a tremendous running and walking community and a Mayor and City leaders committed to the active healthy lifestyle.

Our pre race health and fitness party takes place on May 5th and 6th in downtown Columbus. The party is located next door to the Hyatt. The Hyatt is world class hotel on the edge of the Arena District and walking distance from the start and finish line. We have been able to secure a block of rooms, however they are going quickly. For those more than 2000 of you that are coming from out of state, make sure you book your room soon.

Columbus is truly a Champion City. Have you been to Columbus recently? The race course starts and finishes in the vibrant Arena District. You tour the "high five miles" that connect countless experiences on Columbus' historic High Street. An essential part of the Columbus experience, the city's distinctive districts are full of fun things to see and our course highlights all of them.

We are going to be highlighting various areas and activities you can see and experience on your visit to Columbus on our travel page and on Facebook.

Is this your first time? Are you celebrating a special occasion? Are you participating with some great friends and want an experience like no other? Here is your chance to upgrade your registration and get the total VIP experience! This is a limited opportunity that sells out quickly every year.

Here is your VIP Itinerary:

Access to the Celebration Lounge during the health and fitness party at the expo (including drinks/champagne and an invite to VIP/Mayor's reception);

A Diamond Cellar experience;

Free race day parking;

Exclusive access to Cotter's Restaurant (at Finish Line and 400 yards from start line) for catered breakfast, catered lunch and private bathrooms; and

The official event 1/2 zip branded jacket.

The upgrade package is limited to the first 400 people and the price increases from $50 to $75 on December 1st. Choose the VIP Option on the Registration page.

The tour continues with these great events:

The Dead Celebrity 3 Miler - October 29th.

The Buckeye Classic - November 14th.

The Flying Feather Four Miler - November 25th.

All race information can be found on the M3S Celebration Tour Site.

UPCOMING M3S SIGNATURE EVENT - The Arizona Distance Classic Half and Quarter Marathon - March 27th. In just 7 years, this has become the ultimate spring break destination event. Stay at the Hilton El Conquistador and get a free VIP Upgrade.

Our entire team and all of our partners are excited for the 8th Anniversary of the Capital City Half Marathon and I invite you and your family to come join us in the spring.

David