Lansing will be holding its first marathon this spring, and some MSU students and faculty plan to sweat or cheer on participants during the 26-mile competition.
The marathon will consist of a full marathon and half marathon on April 22 along with a kids competition on April 21.
Doctoral student Shannon Sweeny said she plans to participate in the half marathon — running 13 miles across downtown Lansing on race day.
“I think it will bring people to the area,” Sweeny said.
Despite Sweeny having competed in various races across the world, in cities such as Dublin and Seattle, she does not do it for the prizes.
“I think it’s great if people will come all over, but I don’t do it to win the prizes,” Sweeny said.
Training to prepare for the marathon is available to runners who are registered for the race or who just want individual attention, MSU Plant Science Research Associate Lori Imboden-Davison said.
The running clinics are available to adults and children.
“We have done some running, but we mostly have focused on running specific strength exercises,” Imboden-Davison said. “We get a lot of individual attention.”
Marathon organizer Owen Anderson could not be reached for comment.
Students from the MSU Running Club plan to help with the Lansing Marathon, although many won’t be running in the race. Because of the different type of training for their spring races, club members will be there for volunteer duties on race day but not to participate, computer science junior Jeff Girbach said.
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