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South Valley Riverton Journal

Lace Up Your Running Shoes For Riverton Half Marathon

Feb 13, 2015 06:27PM ● By Shawna Meyer

Riverton City’s seventh annual half marathon and fourth annual 4Life 5K will be held on March 21. Runners can save money by registering early.

South Valley residents who love running long distances are encouraged to test their endurance at this year’s Riverton Half Marathon. Even those with less running potential can still participate in the city’s shorter 4Life 5K, which will be held on the same day.

The seventh annual Riverton Half Marathon and fourth annual 4Life 5K will both be held on Saturday, March 21 at 9 a.m. at the Riverton City Park, 12800 South 1400 West. A few participants will be running to beat the course record, others will be hoping to achieve a personal best time and some just want to be able to say they finished.

“Every year, it just gets a little bit bigger. Every year, we set a new participation record. Last year we had just over 800 runners, and this year we’re hoping to beat that. We’re hoping to have around 1,000, which would be awesome,” Race Director and Recreation Coordinator Benski Dayley said.

Although Riverton City Park, the location of the event, is currently under construction, the race will still take place. On the morning of the race, a large section of 12800 South will be blocked off from 1630 West to 1300 West. Because of construction, parking will be a little bit farther from the start/finish line than usual.

It is suggested that participants carpool to the race, as parking will be limited. There are three recommended parking lots: City Hall, 12830 South Redwood Road; the LDS Church on 12998 South 1300 West and the South County Pool, 12765 South 1125 West. The start/finish line is at 12800 South 1400 West.

All ages and skill levels are welcome to compete in either race. The half marathon will be a 13.1-mile course, while the 5K will be a 3.2-mile run. Those interested in competing should pick the race that makes them feel most comfortable.

“One thing that’s so great about it is how intergenerational it is, you know. You’ve got kids there running who are still in elementary school, and you’ve also got people running who are 70 plus,” Dayley said.



Those interested in competing should sign up as soon as possible because early registration will allow them to save some money. Those who sign up during February will pay $40 for the half marathon and $25 for the 5K. If runners wait to sign up until March, then they’ll pay $50 for the half marathon and $30 for the 5K. There will be no registration on race day.

Compared to races put on by other organizations, the fees for the Riverton race are very minimal.

“I think the biggest difference [between our race and other more expensive races] is because since we’re a city we don’t really have to make a profit off of it. The main purpose is just to provide a service and increase the quality of life for the residents, which enables us to keep the price down,” Dayley said.

An awards ceremony will be held at the finish line starting at 9:50 a.m. for the 5K and 10:45 a.m. for the half marathon. A trophy will be awarded to the top three overall finishers for each race and for each gender. There will also be awards given to the top three boy and girl finishers in their specific age divisions. Everyone running in the half marathon that crosses the finish line before 1 p.m. will receive a finisher medal.

“I think the biggest reason people like to do something like this is to try and figure out that we are capable of more than we think we are,” Dayley said.  
Riverton City’s seventh annual half marathon and fourth annual 4Life 5K will be held on March 21. Runners can save money by registering early.