OWENSBORO, KENTUCKY – Wendell Foster, a local non-profit agency serving people with disabilities, is hosting the fifth annual Wendell Foster Half Marathon & 5K on March 23, 2024. The event is presented by Owensboro Health. With over 800 participants registered from 18 states, the organization is expecting sell-out numbers for the race.
A new addition to the 2024 race is the Steps Division, a new and exciting way for people with disabilities to participate in the half marathon or 5K. Steps Division participants have completed either distance over the course of a year through taking steps. Participants will take their final steps across the finish line on race day and will be medaled alongside other runners for their accomplishment. The division is sponsored by Boardwalk Pipelines. Other changes include the switch from a November race date to a March race date to honor National Disability Awareness Month and the organization’s inaugural race in March 2019.
Race Director, Kara Howard, stated, “It’s been over a year since we came together to run, walk or stroll for Wendell Foster. The pandemic affected both large and small races all across the country for the last few years, impacting in-person events and participation numbers. Our race was no different. In 2023, we made the decision to shift the Wendell Foster Half Marathon & 5K back to its inaugural month of March, National Disability Awareness Month, a time to honor our mission of empowering people with disabilities.”
The race weekend kicks off with an expo on Friday, March 22 from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Owensboro Convention Center. At the event, athletes pick up their race packets, visit over 20 vendor booths and register for the race (availability permitting). Registration is not available on race day, but runners will be able to pick up their packets the morning of the race at the Convention Center.
The fast and flat half marathon course will start in downtown Owensboro and travel 13.1 miles through Owensboro’s beautiful streets, neighborhoods, and Greenbelt. Participants will run through Wendell Foster’s campus at mile one in both the half marathon and 5K divisions. Howard states, “Each year, runners have shared their favorite part of the race is running through Wendell Foster’s campus at mile one where they are greeted with powerful cheers from the individuals we support and staff members. The energy fuels them to get through the challenge ahead!” Local residents are encouraged to cheer on the runners as they make their way through Owensboro. After the race, athletes and their families are invited to attend the Official After-Party at Goodwood Owensboro, located near the finish line at Smother’s Park.
Owensboro residents can expect road closures and delays on Saturday, March 23. Total road closures include J.R. Miller Boulevard (18th Street to Salem Drive) and Veteran’s Boulevard starting at 7:00am. Delays can be expected from 7:30am to 11:35am on Locust Street, Veach Road, Ford Avenue, Lewis Lane, West Byers Avenue, and South Griffith Avenue. Drivers should proceed with caution and drive slowly.
Those interested in learning more about the event can visit, wendellfoster.org/halfmarathon. For additional information, please contact Race Director Kara Howard at [email protected].