Third Year For Annual Salina Marathon

Upcoming on Saturday November 2nd, Salina Crossroads Marathon will be taking place in downtown Salina for its third consecutive year.  The event has been a local attraction since it started in 2022 and this year has lined up over 5,000 participants from seven different countries and three separate continents.  There will be six competitive events in total available for both adults and children with cash rewards going to the top three finishers.  Here’s everything you need to know as the annual event approaches.  

For a Good Cause

Salina Crossroads Marathon requires a registration fee depending on the event, but thanks to sponsors 100% of the money goes towards local youth sports organizations.  Organizations include:  Salina Burn Track and Field Club, Salina Family YMCA, Kansas Youth Sports, Salina Area Youth Sportsmanship Initiative, and the School Marathon Foundation.  Cofounders of the event Daniel Craig and Chris Lehecka are both local runners themselves.  This year alone they are expected to accumulate around $385,000 to give back to their part of the community.  

Events

The events for this year contain the marathon, half-marathon, 5k fun run/walk, and the kids half mile.  Additionally are marathon and half marathon relays where you can enter in teams and take on the race with multiple people tagging along in your group.  Rewards for the top three male and female runners receive between $250 and $100.  But in order to be recognized as a completionist of the event, runners must finish within certain time boundaries.  After all races have come to an end the award ceremony and post race festival will take place at the start/finish line at City Lights Stage.  The festival will feature food trucks, vendor booths, and live music.  

How to Register

If interested in registering for any of the races, participants will need to visit runsalinacrossroads.com where they can fill out registration completely online.  Marathon registration is $55 while the rest of the events vary between $5 and $15.  If you’re feeling spontaneous and make a last minute decision; they do allow same day registration at the Salina Fieldhouse from 6:00 am to 7:30 am.  2023 participant Nik Highsmith says he didn’t originally plan to take part in any of the races and decided to join very abruptly with a friend of his.  He stated, “This seemed like an opportunity to check off a goal of mine from my personal checklist.  It wasn’t easy by any means but I’m glad I went through with it”.  

Events for the Salina Crossroads Marathon start as early as 8:00 am with all races finishing by 2:00 pm.  If you’re looking to challenge yourself by taking part in the best marathon in Kansas, be sure to register at runsalinacrossroads.com.  Check out more details of the event here.  If you’d like to read other sports related content click here.