Welcome to Spring in Columbus...Finally! You are receiving this email as you are already registered or we thought you would not want to get closed out of the ultimate Spring Celebration.

We are 25 days away from the 8th Annual Capital City Half Marathon on May 7th in Columbus, Ohio. Registration is on record pace and we will sell out for the 3rd year in a row.

Don't miss your chance to get your name on your bib. We will guarantee your entry until April 17th. REGISTER NOW

M3S Sports Celebrates every athlete who participates in our events. Competition and Celebration are not mutually exclusive. Competition can be a lot of fun. The key is to not chase the "unchaseable". As my Dad always told me, success is personal. No matter who you are, there will always be someone that has different priorities and can be richer, faster, stronger, own more things, etc. Who cares? That is not important.

What I am talking about is being able to compete with yourself to get outside of your comfort zone, reach new goals and create confidence inside you when you achieve success. That is what counts. Whether it is to finish your first half marathon, achieve a new personal best, fight cancer, be a better spouse or parent, it does not matter, just compete. On May 7th, when you step into your starting corral embrace the nerves, you earned it.

My 12 year old son Luke is a talented athlete but like all of us he sometimes lacks the confidence to compete. His baseball team runs a half of a mile at the start of each practice. He used to give up and not challenge himself. He is an active kid, so it was hard for me to figure out why. He said "Dad, I am no good at running, I can't do it, it is too hard". The next day I dragged him out of the house to a 1 mile loop at the park behind our house. He complained for the first half mile how much he hated it, then he walked a little and then something happened. He started to compete with me and himself. The last half mile he ran without stopping and I could not catch him. At the end he turned and smiled. The next day he came and actually asked me to go run with him. He ran the entire loop and took 2 minutes off his time. This was all about him and his confidence. I "can't" turned into "you bet I can". Just wait until the next baseball practice.

It still amazes me when people tell me they have not registered for Cap City because they want to see how there training goes first. Don't give yourself that option, use your registration as your motivation to compete. The event is accessible to everyone from the Half Marathon to the Quarter Marathon and the 5k. Believe in yourself, compete with yourself and then come Celebrate with us!

In the words of Henry Ford....Whether you think you can or you think you can't...you're right....

David

Have you checked out the new course video?

With Cap City growing into one of the largest events in the region, event weekend can become a bit overwhelming. I am going to provide you with tips over the next few weeks that will help you plan for a remarkable experience.

In 2011, there are a number of new changes you need to make sure you understand:

1. There is a new corral system this year. If you are registered for the Quarter or the Half Marathon, make sure you confirm your registration and check your estimated Finishing Time. If your time is not correct or you do not have one listed make sure you email us by April 15th at times@m3ssports.com with your time.

2. If you are not registered yet, make sure you do so by Sunday, April 17th to guarantee your spot and to get your name on your bib.

3. Plan your visit to the Health and Fitness Expo Party at Battelle Hall for packet pickup. Don't try to rush in and out. Take your time and enjoy the experience. Shop a bit, stop in at the Champions Lounge, and make sure you mark your Calendar for our featured speakers at the Panel of Champions emceed by 10tv's own Andrea Cambern. Join OSU National Champion and Superbowl Champion Michael Doss, O.A.R.'s Jerry Depizzo, Heavyweight Champion Buster Douglas, The Crew's own Danny O'Rourke, World Series Champ Kent Merker, Track Star Stephanie Hightower, Arturo Barrios and more on Thursday Night, May 5th at 6pm, as they come out to Celebrate You and tell you what it took them to become a Champion!

4. Prior to the event, understand the course. Look at the map and view the course video.

5. Find your parking spot. All of the parking for the event will be at the garages and lots in the Arena District. Make sure you get there early and prepay your parking.

6. Get ready for the Byers Import's Xtra Mile Post Race Party! The Michelob Ultra Finish Line Concert will feature SWAGG and you are in for a treat. From Yellowtail Bubbles sparkling wine, dark chocolate form Chocoholique and the Michelob Ultra Beer garden, this is a finish line Celebration fit for a Champion like you!

There is no more valuable commodity than information! To keep down the nerves as the event gets closer, make sure you follow the event on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook, make sure you are receiving these newsletters and check the website on a regular basis.

The Diamond Cellar and Tag Heuer Present "The Ultimate Finisher's Medal". As you prepare for the Capital City Half Marathon tell us "WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF" and be registered to win a men's or lady's TAG Heuer timepiece. We have heard an incredible amount of inspirational stories this year and Tag Heuer is looking for two participants with inspiring stories to award with these amazing timepieces. Tell you story on the Diamond Cellar Facebook page to be eligible to win.

We will present the "Ultimate Finisher Medals" at the Panel of Champions on May 5th at 6pm.

The Byers Import's Xtra Mile Finish Line Party and Michelob Ultra Post Race Concert will be a huge celebration of the Active Lifestyle. The Michelob Ultra Post Race Concert is headlined by SWAGG, one of our favorite party bands. The party includes Donatos Pizza, Le Chocoholique Chocolate, Yellow Tail Bubbles Sparkling Wine, the Michelob ULTRA Beer Garden and much more. This will be a tremendous Finish Line Celebration!

Support the City of Columbus Recreation and Parks' and Mayor Coleman's own Capital Kids Afterschool program by registering for the Capital Kids Mascot Chase. We've partnered with the Columbus Clippers again this year to offer kids (12 and under) an experience they won't forget. The Mascot Chase begins outside Huntington Park and finishes with a lap around the warning track inside one of the most beautiful baseball stadiums in America. And, during the month of April, we'll be giving away tickets - to Clippers games, to the circus and much more - to those who are registered. You can't win if you aren't signed up...so enter the Capital Kids Mascot Chase today.

If you are not yet ready to run the FULL half, come run HALF of the half marathon. Introducing the Inaugural Capital City Quarter Marathon (6.55 Miles).

M3S Sports is proud to announce that Former 10k World Record Holder and the first man in the World to break 1 hour in the half marathon, Arturo Barrios is going to run in the Inaugural Capital City Quarter Marathon. What a great way to celebrate a brand new event.

When we launched the Emerald City Half and Quarter Marathon (6.55 miles) on Labor Day Weekend in Columbus Ohio, we had no idea of the overwhelming popularity of the QUARTER distance. However, it makes perfect sense. You need to train well, need a race plan and can enjoy all of the Celebration afterwards. It makes our events even more accessible. This is not just half of a half marathon, this is a FULL quarter marathon.

Come CELEBRATE with us and register for the Quarter Marathon. The QUARTER is quickly becoming the "new" HALF.

Facebook has become an important part of the M3S events. We communicate race information, training tips and more.

Make sure you like the Cap City Facebook page to get important race information, weather updates and get savings from our partners and stay in touch with what is going on in the running and walking community.

This year's event will be something special. Get outside, enjoy the weather and get ready to Celebrate the work you have put in all winter.

David