More than 300 runners are registered to run 13.1 miles through Polk County on Saturday morning, Nov. 15 at the Third Annual Tryon Half Marathon. Organizers anticipate even more will sign up race morning. This charity road race, hosted by the Tryon Running Club, will benefit Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry. The club is excited to welcome so many out-of-towners and their families to the Tryon area.

The Tryon Running Club is so thankful for the community support of our race. They are appreciative of the support and patience that residents show on race morning. There will be a very short section on Hwy. 108 lined with cones to keep the runners safe, along with police stopping traffic as needed to protect everyone involved.  River Road, while it will remain open, will have runners on it running in both directions for most of the morning. Drive carefully and slowly to ensure that the runners can enjoy our roads under the best conditions.

Those who have ever run a race or participated in a sporting event of any kind can appreciate how important spectators are to the athletes. Those who have some time Saturday morning are asked to go out to River Road to cheer them on the race course or join at the track at Harmon Field at the finish line to cheer them in. The runners will start crossing the finish line as early as 9:30 a.m.

Quick race info:

•    Registration and packet pick-up will be open at the Harmon Field cabin on Friday, Nov. 14 from 4 – 7 p.m. and on race morning from 6:30 – 7:30 a.m.

•    Race starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15 at Harmon Field.

•    Harmon Field Road and one lane of Hwy. 108, from Harmon Field to the Lynn Post Office, will be closed from 7:30 – 11:30 a.m.

•    Half marathoners will run from Harmon Field to Hwy. 108 to Clarence Rhodes Road to Scriven Road and then down to River Road and back along the course to finish at Harmon Field.

•    The community is invited to come out and cheer along the course or at Harmon Field, where the finish line will be set up on the track.

•    Drive with caution if on the racecourse.
The Tryon Running Club is a 501(c)(3) chapter of the Road Runners Clubs of America that welcomes walkers and runners of all ages and abilities. Group training runs are regularly scheduled and members enjoy discounts to club events including races and clinics. To learn more, visit www.tryonrunners.blogspot.com or find the club on Facebook. Call TRC President Laura Phelps at 828-817-1833 for more information.

– Submitted by Laura Phelps