Grand Lake Marathon ready to roll

CELINA - Area motorists can expect some inconvenience Sept. 27 when more than 1,600 runners hit the pavement for the first-ever Grand Lake Marathon.

Road closures and traffic delays will occur at different times throughout the day along the 26.2-mile marathon course, which begins and ends in Celina and circles Grand Lake. Runners from 30 states have registered to participate in the full marathon, half-marathon, 10K, 5K or children's race.

Motorists will need to make concessions, Mercer County Sheriff's Capt. Martin Emerine said.

"We are making it as easy as we can for those who live here, motorists who need to get around and the participants," he said.

Participants in the half marathon and full marathon will begin together at 7:30 a.m. on Lakeshore Drive. The half marathon finishes in the city of St. Marys. Full marathon runners will continue along the south side of Grand Lake before heading north on U.S. 127 back to Lakeshore Drive.

One of the busiest traffic areas impacted along the course is U.S. 127 from state Route 219 north to the city of Celina. It will be closed from about 6 a.m.-3 p.m.

"A detour is set up for drivers on U.S. 127, but we understand that it's going to take them a little out of their way," Emerine said.

Motorists heading northbound to Celina will be detoured west on state Route 219, north on state Route 118 and east on state Route 29.

Drivers will be able to carefully navigate one lane of traffic on most other roads. Many roads will reopen after runners have passed.

Roads not barricaded in the morning will be controlled by personnel from local fire departments, Mercer County Emergency Response Volunteers and the sheriff's office, who will let traffic flow until the runners reach those locations.

Emerine said deputies will be located throughout the course during the day and remain in constant contact with each other. An EMS squad will be staged at the Montezuma Fire Department to respond to emergencies. Runners will be instructed to leave the roadways if an emergency vehicle needs to pass.

Auglaize County deputies also will be at intersections and various high-traffic locations including state Route 364 to allow traffic to flow as much as possible. Constant communication will update officers and volunteers as racers near each intersection.

Organizers plan to have a deputy on motorcycle lead the race. A patrol car also will drive ahead of the runners to ensure motorists don't stray onto the course.

A patrol vehicle will be stationed at the finish line on Lake Shore Drive.

Once all the runners pass through state Route 703 to the north of the lake, deputies will shift their focus to the south side, Emerine said.

Race participants are strongly encouraged to park at the Mercer County Fairgrounds, 1001 W. Market St., Celina. Shuttles will transport runners and spectators to and from Lake Shore Drive.

Any runner who parks a vehicle downtown will be subject to a parking ticket, Celina Police Chief Tom Wale said.
  "Downtown parking is for our residents and those businesses," he explained. "We can't have someone parking there all day that's involved in the races."

Organizer Roger Bowersock of Rocketship Sports Management said volunteers are still needed for registration and packet pickup Friday from noon-8 p.m. at the fairgrounds. Help also is sought for set-up Friday morning and tear-down Saturday after all races are complete.

Anyone interested in volunteering should call Christina Bowersock at 937-417-7166 or email info@rocketshipsports.com.

Road closings:

The following is a list of some of the areas where traffic will be affected Sept. 27 for the Grand Lake Marathon:

• State Route 703 between Celina and St. Marys will be closed from the start of the race at 7:30 a.m. until runners pass about two to three hours later.

• In Auglaize County, Edgewater Drive and Tri Township Road from Greenville Road to Southland Road until the county line at Guadalupe Road will be closed. Roadways are expected to re-open by noon.

• State Route 364 will not be completely closed, but motorists should expect delays. Beginning at 7:30 a.m., Feeder Road at state Route 364 will be closed.

• County Road 219A will be closed and detoured onto Harrison Road.

• State Route 219 in Montezuma and state Route 703 from the village to U.S. 127 will be down to one-lane traffic starting about 6 a.m. until the end of the race.

• Drivers leaving Kozy Kamp Ground will be directed west to U.S. 127 and then south. Motorists wanting to reach the campground must take state Route 219 into Montezuma, then travel state Route 703 to It's It Road.

• U.S. 127 will be closed from state Route 219 to the city of Celina from about 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Traffic will be detoured onto state Route 219, state Route 118 and state Route 29.