Festivities begin today
MORGAN HILL
The largest running event ever to be held in Morgan Hill will be unveiled this weekend with the first annual Morgan Hill Marathon and Half Series, a three-day spectacle that will benefit local charities.
Organized by South Valley Endurance, the event is sold out to more than 1,000 runners from across the U.S. and will be centered around Community Park next to the Centennial Recreation Center, 171 W. Edmundson Ave.
It begins with a lifestyle expo from noon to 8 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
A Kids Fun Run will also be held Saturday, beginning at 2 p.m., plus the two-day Marathon Art and Wine Festival with live music from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Festivities continue Sunday with the start of the marathon and half marathon at 7 a.m. Local residents are encouraged to come out and support the athletes — or volunteer to help work at an aid station or with course marshalling by visiting the Series’ website, www.mhmarathon.com.
Proceeds from the event will go toward The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society — Team in Training, the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research; Jenny’s Light, which raises awareness for all perinatal mood disorders; and the JW House, a place where families can stay together during long hospitalizations.
Event officials recently finalized the courses for all three races. Traffic will be affected on local roads from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
