FORT SMITH (KFSM)-- The 2nd annual Fort Smith Marathon will be held Sunday (Feb. 14).
The day before the big race, organizers and runners were getting in last minute preparations.
“When you run someone through 26.2 miles of town, it takes a lot of people to pull this off,” Race director, Samantha Cole, said.
Cole said there have been a lot of logistics to work out, but the most important one is safety.
“Keeping the runners safe because you know, they don't want to have to worry about cars,’ Cole said. They want to concentrate on finishing the run, so it's our duty to keep them safe and make sure they have a good experience.”
Saturday (Feb. 13) crews were out setting up signs and barricades to help direct cars and runners to keep everyone safe, but Cole said comfort is also important.
“Having the water stations spaced out correctly and of course, port-a-potties,” Cole said. “Port-a-potties are a very important thing throughout a race.”
Cole said there are 50 Port-a-potties and at least 24 water stations throughout the course, and hydration is part of some runners pre-race preparations.
“Make sure you got a lot of fluids in you, not alcohol,” runner, Daniel Goh, said. “I'm talking about water and electrolytes.”
Goh plans to run the relay, but he says he doesn't follow typical pre-race rituals like eating a high-carb meal.
“That's a pretty normal thing to have a big meal, but typically I won't,” Goh said. “I just keep it pretty normal.”
But, he said he does have good luck race gear.
“Clothes that I’ve always worn, I don't run a race with new clothes or new shoes, anything like that,” Goh said.
Cole said runners should be prepared for anything.
“If it's raining, put a garbage sack on or get your rain coat and come on out,” Cole said.
Rain or shine, the marathon, half-marathon and relays start at 8 Sunday morning at 100 N. B Street.