Community First Fox Cities Marathon runners, on their mark, get set

MENASHA, Wis. (WBAY) - About 3,500 runners are expected to take part in Community First Fox Cities Marathon events over the weekend -- plus another 1,800 volunteers handing out water and Gatorade and cheering on the runners.

The 26.2-mile race goes all over the Fox Cities, starting in Menasha on the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Fox Cities campus, then going up through Appleton, around Cmboned Locks, back to Appleton, then through Fox Crossing and ending in Neenah. [Disclosure: WBAY is a sponsor of the marathon.]

Organizers say they expect more people to attend than last year as the pandemic has eased.

“Everybody stays until the last person finishes, and they offer a lot of hoopla in the course, which I don’t think you see in other events. A lot of people participating, cheering them all along the course,” volunteer Jan Peebles said.

Rain and warm morning temperatures are expected Sunday. Organizers say they’ll have a contingency plan in place in case of severe weather.

“We’re watching those weather forecast, too. We have contingency plans. Our first priority is the safety of our participants. That’s first and foremost. As much as we want to get them out there, to get after their goals and achieve what they’re out here to do, their safety comes first,” race coordinator Amanda Secor said.

While marathon organizers are paying attention to the weather, the owner of Fleet Feet says runners should pay attention to their bodies.

“You’re bound to come up with a few aches and pains as you go. It’s part of the sport is to sort of manage through these things. So learn how many days it takes to recover and get better. It’s okay to push through a little bit of pain but listen to your body,” Jeremy Shapiro said.

“Pain is temporary, but finishing at a time when you get there at the end and reach your goal? That pain will go quickly,” Chad Otis of On Pace Race LLC said.

People can still register for Saturday’s 5K walk just by showing up. Registration has closed for the marathon, half-marathon and relay races.

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