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Runners hit the street for Grand Canyon Marathon this Saturday
Ready to run

<br>Ryan Williams/WGCN<br>
Grand Canyon Recreation Center Manager Carrie Bazan displays the 2010 Grand Canyon Marathon commemmorative pin.

<br>Ryan Williams/WGCN<br> Grand Canyon Recreation Center Manager Carrie Bazan displays the 2010 Grand Canyon Marathon commemmorative pin.

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. - A lot of feet will pound the pavement this Saturday within the Grand Canyon National Park and in nearby Tusayan as organizers for the 2010 Grand Canyon Marathon plan to hold their second area marathon this Saturday.

The marathon, to include a full and half marathon, will be held Saturday from the South Rim's Hermits Rest Road into the community of Tusayan outside the national park. Carrie Bazan, manager of the Grand Canyon Recreation Center and one of the organizers for the event, said both the half marathon and full marathon filled quickly. Proceeds raised from the marathon benefit the Grand Canyon Recreation Center.

"We are full. The marathon is completely booked solid," Bazan said. "We have 121 people running the full marathon, with 176 running the half marathon. We have over 120 volunteers from the community that have stepped up, which is fantastic. We are blown away and so thankful that so many people stepped up to do it."

An orientation meeting will be held in Tusayan the night before the marathon. The IMAX Theater will host the orientation. Finish tents and bleachers will also be located at the IMAX, according to organizers. The marathon begins at 8 a.m. Saturday within the national park.

"We encourage people to come out to Tusayan to the IMAX," Bazan said. "We're going to have bleachers there for people to do the awards ceremony and to be there to cheer on the racers as they are coming in through the finish line."

An after-party will be held at the Grand Hotel, beginning at 5 p.m., Bazan said.

"They are going to have live music and a DJ and drink specials, raffle prizes, so we encourage all of the community to come out and celebrate a great event."

The 2010 Grand Canyon Marathon marks the second such event since the first marathon was held in 2008. A second marathon was originally planned for 2009, but organizers ultimately cancelled the event due to permitting issues.

"All of the money that's raised benefits the rec center, which is a community-based facility. We want anyone who wants to come out. If they can't get out in the afternoon then come to the Grand and celebrate with us."

More information about the marathon can be found online at www.grandcanyonmarathon.com. Runners for the marathon come from California, the east coast, Canada and other far-off locales. Medals, finisher pins, t-shirts and more will be offered to those who compete in the marathon.


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