The calendar has turned to 2017 and we are now just a little over two months away from the 3rd Annual Newport News One City Marathon Weekend presented by Newport News Shipbuilding! March 10th – 12th will be here before you know it! Are you ready to run, walk, volunteer, cheer or just have a good time? Over the past two years, we have witnessed people transform their lives and come together to show that “We Are One City”. The 2017 event will be even better!

There are four affordable races that you can register for and rates increase as we get closer to March. Be sure to register early and save money! If you need a little support to get you prepared for one of the races, join an official training team with certified coaches to get you going! The Marathon Relay and Maritime 8K training teams just started earlier this week.

Even if you do not plan on running, everyone is invited to start off the weekend at the free, two-day Health & Wellness Expo presented by Riverside on Friday and Saturday at the Denbigh Community Center. There you will find many fitness and nutrition related vendors, preventative health information from the Peninsula Health District, and interactive games and training evaluations. Then join the crowd from 5:00 – 8:00 PM Friday evening at the free, kickoff event at Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center that will include interactive arts experiences, gallery tours, children's activities, and live music. And after the races on Sunday, you can party with thousands of your closest friends behind the finish line at One City One Celebration, which will be featuring music, food and games!

But race weekend provides so much more! We love our volunteers and both individuals and groups can sign up to help out on our volunteer portal. In addition to the hundreds of happy volunteers, our runner feedback tells us that what makes One City such a great race is the number of supporters cheering participants as they push toward the finish line. We encourage families, neighborhoods, civic groups, businesses, schools, and houses of worship to create “wave stations" and show their hometown spirit along the entire marathon and 8K courses. Do not forgot the Hometown Spirit Award presented by TowneBank will be given to the most exciting wave station, so get locked into your wave station location right now!

And just in case you were in need of another incentive… the first race established a tradition of supporting local nonprofits that improve the lives of families in our area. Help raise additional funds for our 2017 Official Charitable Partners by participating in the “Run for Free” Program or donate directly to our three partners – Parents Against Bullying, Alternatives, Inc. and the Center for Child and Family Services. In just two years, the One City Marathon has contributed over $40,000 to organizations right in our backyard. That number already makes the One City Marathon one of the most generous races of its size in the United States!

So there is a lot to be excited about. Be on the lookout for more unique announcements, fun incentives and social media campaigns over the coming days. For example, have you noticed those weird footprints that are popping up around town? Finally, do not forget to like us on the One City Marathon Facebook page and follow us on Twitter at #onecitymarathon.

Let’s get moving! A healthy and engaged community is a strong community…. Do not get left behind as we continue to show the world that “We are One City.” For more information, please go to the One City Marathon web site or contact Flat-Out Events at raceteam@flatoutevents.com or 757-880-8843.