It is event week in Columbus and registration is sold out! Just like last year, we have held 200 spots in each event to meet the final demand this week. 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. Last chance....REGISTER NOW!

Race Week kicks of at The Health & Fitness Expo Party open to the public and open from 2pm to 8pm on Thurday, May 5th and 10am to 8pm on Friday, May 6th. Come shop, pick up your packet and make sure you get you new Event Guide.

We have had a remarkable week so far and are looking forward to rest of it. Last weekend we checked out the Hyatt to make sure it was ready for our out of town guests. We spent some time in the Short North for dinner and drinks on Saturday night and really enjoyed it. On Sunday and part of yesterday all of the bibs and bags were prepared for you.

Last night we were invited to the Columbus City Council meeting by Councilman Zach Klein, who is running the half marathon. We were presented with a Resolution of Expression by Columbus City Council. That was an incredible honor for all of us at M3S Sports.

Bottom line, we are are excited to see all of you this week.

Giddy up,

David

1. GET YOUR BIB NUMBER - For fastest packet pick-up at the expo, go to the website to confirm your registration and get your bib number, check your estimated Finishing Time, corral and t-shirt size.

Remember that any new corral changes will now be handled at the "Solutions Area" at the Health and Fitness Expo. If you have any registration questions prior to the expo, you may email us at info@m3ssports.com.

**Pick up your EVENT GUIDE at the Expo. It has great information including all the last minute tips, the course map and the parking maps.

2. Last Minute Tips - By Dr. Darrin Bright

Eating - Keep to your eating routine. If you usually eat before a long run, do it. If not, remember that the time between getting up and starting the race is at least two hours, not the half-hour or 45 minutes it is for a training run.

Get there early - Remember to arrive early enough before the race to put your bag in gear check. TAKE THE STRESS OUT OF PARKING. All of the parking for the event will be at the garages and lots in the Arena District. Prepay your parking.

Race Day Start Times

7:30 a.m. Mascot Chase Starts

8:00 a.m. Half Marathon,Quarter Marathon and 5k Start Times.

9:00 a.m. Finish Line Party Starts.

12:00 Noon - Finish Line Closes.

1:00 p.m. - Finish Line Party Ends.

At the starting line - Breathe calmly, even if your heart is pounding. Remember that everyone else is nervous, too. Embrace the feeling and have fun with it. Breathe in 'calm,' and breathe out 'stress.' "

At the finish line Get ready for your close-up. You'll have the photographer at the end, and you'll need to figure out when to raise your arms and smile big for the Camera. Note - Try not to look at your watch.

After completing the race it is important to keep the legs moving. This can be accomplished by walking around the finish area for 5-10 minutes.

Once you have completed the race it is important to begin rehydrating. Eat something as soon as you can. There will be plenty of foods high in carbohydrates around the finish area. Please take advantage of these foods and fluids to begin replenishing your energy stores.

Post-race clothing can be secured in your gear bag that you check prior to the start of the race. These bags will then be available in the finish area after the race. Remove any wet clothing as soon as possible and change into your dry clothing.

3. Check the Weather Forecast - Keep checking the weather forecast for Columbus at Weather Underground or other weather sites and plan to bring running clothes for a rage of weather conditions. Many participants will bring "throw-aways" which they will discard after the start of the race. The discarded clothing from the starting area is collected and donated to a local shelter.

4. Flag Warning System - We have devised a flag warning system to communicate race conditions to participants on the course. Look for the color of the flag at each aid station.

Green Flag - Everything is normal.

Yellow Flag - The heat index is at a point that participants should slow down and drink plenty of water.

Red Flag - The Weather is dangerous and lightning may be in the area. Timing of the event has stopped. Participants should seek shelter.

5. 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. For sale at the finish line concert will by Michelob Ultra Beer and Schmidt's Sausages. Make sure you put a few dollars in you goody bag to reload all those calories. The beer garden will be open from 9 to 1. 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 your story on the Diamond Cellar Facebook page by tomorrow to be eligible to win.

Make sure you join us on Thursday, May 5th at 6pm at The Health & Fitness Expo Party for the first ever Panel Of Champions. Join 10tv's Andrea Cambern as she hosts Michael Doss, OSU National Champion and Superbowl Champion; Stephanie Hightower, Track Champion, Kent Mercker, World Series Champion, Danny O'Rourke, MLS Champion & National Champion; Katie Smith, OSU, ABL & WNWB Champion Jerry DePizzo, of O.A.R., Platinum Recording Artist Anthony Schlegel, National Champion; and Heavyweight Champion Buster Douglas as they come out to Celebrate You and tell you what it took them to become Champions!

Jerry Depizzo from O.A.R. will play the National Anthem on his Sax at 7:55 race morning. This is a photo of him playing it at Fenway Park.

We are proud to welcome the Charity Newsies as an Official Charity of Cap City. Chuck Rundio and his team at Charity Newsies have become a vital part of not only Cap City, but all of the M3S Events. Last night they assisted in preparing the over 12,000 bibs and stuffing the packets. A huge thank you to them for all that they do.

The mission of Charity Newsies is that no child be kept out of school for lack of adequate clothing. Newsies completes that mission by purchasing new apparel and distributing it free of charge to school children in Franklin County, Ohio.

The Brooks Cavalcade Bus will be in the middle of the Byer's Imports Xtra Mile Finish Line Party from 7am to 1pm. The Bus includes free Gait Analysis, Free Giveaways and of course the now famous "Arcade of Oddities". Make sure you stop by and pick up your free gift.

I had the opportunity to preview the official race merchandise that Tim Flahavin, Jeff Henderson and the Fleet Feet Team have put together with Carrie from Brooks. When you see them at the Expo party, you will agree that these are "have to have" items. I was in Fleet Feet on Saturday and bought a few of them so I would not miss out.

In addition to the Official Race Merchandise, the Health and Fitness Expo will feature a number of great vendors and will include incredible deals from Fleet Feet Sports, the official retailer of the Capital City Half Marathon. The deals include:

Brooks - 20% off a full line of shoes and apparel;

Asics - 15% off all footwear and receive a free gift with purchase;

13.1% off all other brands of footwear and apparel,

And much more.

We are proud to Announce Victoria's Secret Sport as a new partner in our event. VSX Sport will have a large presence at the Finish Line Party so make sure you stop by and stay hello to Ashley and her team of VSX Sexy Sport runners.

If you are looking for a new outfit for the event or for the post race party, check out the VSX store over in Easton for some last minute deals.

In fact, during race week they are offering all participants 3/$30 Sport panties and 2/$40 on Sexy Workout Tees & Tanks.

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.

I am looking forward to seeing you all again. For those new to Cap City, I look forward to meeting you.

David