Run Through the Roses runners assured safety this year
A sticker from Run Through the Roses 2012. (CONTRIBUTED)
By Aldo Amato
Staff Reporter
MADISON — Runners should not worry about safety at the annual Run Through the Roses 5k and 10k races.
Following the Boston Marathon bombings on April 15, Run Through the Roses coordinator Kristen Kulavich said runners should feel comfortable at the race.
“A lot of our runners are Madison residents and Huntsvillians and several of them also ran at the marathon in Boston,” she said. “I don’t know if this will be their first race since running that so we are taking extra steps to make sure it is a safe environment.”
What separates this race from others in the state is that Madison Police totally close off all the streets on the race course. A map of the race course can be found online and copies will be distributed on race day.
A course map of Run Through the Roses 2013. (CONTRIBUTED)
Kulavich said though no plans are in place at the moment for monetary donations, there are sure to be personal tributes at the race for the victims of the terrorist attack.
“The attack was kind of game changer for race directors across the nation,” she said. “But was plan on having a moment of silence for those that were lost and we are trying to be very respectful at the moment. We are very cognizant of the fact of what those events meant and know sometimes it can be viewed as taking advantage of a national tragedy. At some point down the road our racers will have a chance to memorialize in various different ways.”
The race has grown significantly each year and Kulavich said its unique opportunities attract people from across the state and region to Madison.
“Our police department shuts down all of the streets so there is no worry of getting hit by a car,” she said. “We also have excellent viewing points for those who want to watch the race. We just want people to come out and have a good time and this is another experience for the residents of Madison to enjoy their city.”
Run Through the Roses is on May 4 from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. For more information, visit runthroughtheroses.com.
