2012 Sedona Marathon runners
Sedona AZ (January 11, 2013) – On Saturday, February 2, 2013, the Sedona Chamber of Commerce, along with the entire Sedona area, will welcome thousands of runners, their families and friends for a weekend of fierce competition and neighborly camaraderie.
Record numbers of registrants will participate in the 5K, 10K, Half or Full Marathon races which will take racers through scenic Coconino National Forest District, known for its magical red rock formations, and through streets chosen as one of the Top 10 Most Beautiful Cities in the United States. Spectators, supporters and participants will also be treated to an expo featuring vendors, artists, and live performers. Other Sedona Marathon events include an independent film showing in partnership with the Sedona Film Festival, and a traditional pasta dinner at Poco Diablo Resort.
For a full listing of events visit www.SedonaMarathon.com.
During its seven-year history, the Sedona Marathon has gained international recognition, not only for its breathtaking course but also as a training opportunity. It has drawn several Olympic competitors including Beijing Triathlon Silver Medal winner Simon Whitfield and 2012 Olympic hopeful Ryan Hall. Japanese sports reporter Hajime Nishi has named the event one of his top ten favorite worldwide marathons, and National Geographic Adventurer Magazine featured it as one of the great “instant weekend adventures.”
Featuring four races, the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Full Marathon, registrants are able to walk in all four races. One of the hallmarks of the Sedona Marathon is that participants come from all walks of life. Last year, the youngest “athlete” on this breathtaking course was 3 and the oldest was 84.
The 8th Annual Sedona Marathon will take place on February 2, 2013. Sign up today before the event is at capacity. For details and registration information, call 1-877-778-4397 or visit the Sedona Marathon website.
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International recognition? Sedona Eye now puffed up with same hot air as RRN? A marathon is a marathon. Marathoners go wherever marathons are. This marathon happens to be local. Good for business? Yes. Good for taxpayers? Yes. Chamber touting it as though instrumental to its success? Yes. They aren’t.
The marathon would be a success no matter who is in charge. Let the Sedona Women or SRRHS organize it and you’ll get the same results. Have the pasta dinner at the Elks!
We all know why not. Can’t have a conversation with chamber spenders ahold of our cookie jar $$.
Come back to earth Sedona Eye and stop kissing up.
It’s a ridiculous outrage and waste of taxpayer $ to fund events.
For years I organized the largest motorcycle run on Maui in which hundreds participated. It was also the largest single day collection of Toys For Tots. I got no public funding. In fact, our organization had to pay for police at intersections and also for liability insurance indemnifying the county against any mishap that might occur (but never did) on “their” roads. The whole cost amounted to several thousands of dollars every year.
But if an event is truly worth it to the community then the community will step up and make it happen. I got donations from both individuals and businesses. Again, no taxpayer money was involved.
Events funded with taxpayer $ are bogus events for a faux “community.”
Why the big hoopla? The Chamber is doing what the Chamber is supposed to do anyway and it merely took over a marathon that others built up and made successful. IMO, we need to get real about Sedona and our events, instead of pretending otherwise. There’s a whole wide world out there where every country, city and town, competes for tourist dollars. If I were to choose one event that makes this City stand out, it’s the Sedona International Film Festival and ongoing and busy affiliated Mary D. Fisher. IMO, THAT success is something to brag about.
I agree about SFF. The problem I see is LACK of tourist dollars. Most businesses in this town operate in barely black and many know the good times are over for years to come. To pretend otherwise is the reason rich folks own Sedona businesses and not regular Joes and Josies. Rich have resources to dump into overpriced rents that haven’t dropped in proportion to FMV. The rich feed the rich here. Sedona is their playground and we ride on their merry go round or foot the bill. As for me, let the rich rule. I like the standard of living glow.
I have one response to this article. Look who is the CEO of the chamber and look who is a big sponsor for this marathon. That is all. Good day.
Not quite all, P. Williams. It gets even better when one checks out the internet edition of the Red Rock News. Scroll to the bottom where it lists “Partners.” Among the four identities listed is Rick Wesselhoff. Husband of the unnamed CEO of the chamber to which you refer? And just how much is Mrs. Wesselhoff (if she is one and the same) paid annually for the many alleged hats she wears? Little wonder C of C never is endlessly asking City for more money. And let us not overlook the $$$ City spends for “public notices” in the RRN. Yep enough to make a guy cry.