Students looking for a different way to celebrate the 24th of July may want to enter the Salt Lake Marathon or 10K Run.

"It's the best run in the state on that day," said Ed Eyestone, former Olympian and head coach of the BYU men's cross country team. Eyestone is also a former course record holder.

Last call for race registration will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on July 23 at Orbit Café, 540 W. 200 South in Salt Lake City.

On July 24th, the marathon will begin at 5 a.m. and the 10K at 6:15 a.m.

The marathon route follows the path the pioneers took when they entered the Salt Lake Valley.

It is a downhill course so there is the possibility for a personal record time, Eyestone said.

"It's a good international field to race against," he said.

Because of Olympic exposure, race organizers expect a great group of elite runners this year, said Scott Kerr, race director. This year runners from Kenya, China, Japan, Mexico and Czechoslovakia will be participating.

"You'll have a chance to rub elbows with some of the best runners in the world," Kerr said.

Notables running include Simon Sawe, Joseph Kohuju and John Kariuki, all from Kenya, said Gene Whitmore, elite athlete coordinator.

"John Kariuki is the current course record holder," said Whitmore. "Kariuki broke the record of current BYU coach Ed Eyestone."

Libbie Hickman, former Olympian in the 10-kilometer run from Fort Collins, Colo., will be in the pack as well, Whitmore said.

"She is clearly one of the best runners in the world right now," he said.

Kara Ormond and Tara Northcutt are two former BYU standouts scheduled to run, and Johanna Nielsen, a former University of Utah star, is also signed up, Whitmore said.

Other runners in the pack are less competitive.

"When I run a 10K, I usually just do it for fun," said Stacie Searle, 24, a senior from Enoch, Iron County, majoring in public relations.

To train for the race, Searle said she continues with her base mileage, about four to six miles a day, and lifts weights twice a week.

"It's worth the road trip to Salt Lake just to run in the mountains," Searle said.

In addition to the marathon and the 10K, the 5K Walk, a non-competitive fitness walk, was added five years ago.

The 5K Walk is great for family and friends who are going to be at the event anyway, Kerr said.

The 5K walk starts at the Delta Center, follows the parade route, and ends in Liberty Park, just like the Marathon and 10K, he said.

The 5K Fitness Walk begins at 7 a.m.

Refreshments and entertainment are provided for runners following the race, Kerr said.

"If you choose, the event can be an all day experience, or you can run early and be finished in time to enjoy the day with family," he said.

The race starts early enough to beat the heat and enjoy the rest of the festivities in Liberty Park, he said.

The marathon was founded in 1970 and is the oldest in the intermountain area. The 10K event was added in 1983.

Formerly known as the Deseret News Marathon and 10K, the name changed this year, because most major races around the country have the name of the city in it, Kerr said.

The race is promoted outside the state, Kerr said, and there were repeated questions about where the Deseret News Marathon and 10K was held.
Copyright Brigham Young University 23 Jul 2002