Inaugural Cedar Rapids Marathon Sparks Debate Over Proposed Route

The inaugural Cedar Rapids marathon will be run next month, and concerns are being raised over several parts of the proposed route for runners.

Online Complaints About Marathon Route

The first-ever Cedar Rapids marathon will take place on June 7th. Thousands of runners are expected to take part, with the event planned as an official qualifier for the Boston Marathon. But according to KCRG, complaints about the potential route for the marathon have drawn criticism. A video from the YouTube account 'Hi, from Cedar Rapids' brought up concerns about running in a quarry and getting stuck at railroad crossings.

KCRG reports that the course posted on the marathon website shows that runners will cross railroad tracks twice and run on a private road near the Moyna Materials Quarry.

Marathon Organizers Respond to Complaints

According to KCRG, race organizers and the quarry have spoken and recently determined that the road in question will not be used. Meanwhile, race organizers say that railroad crossings on the route were initially at 10 and are now down to 2, and officials with Union Pacific are working on race day timing.

Official Marathon Route Certification Still to Come

Race organizers stress that the route that was posted is just to give runners a general idea of the area they'll be running in. KCRG reports that USA Track and Field Certification won't happen until around 1 week before the marathon. Organizers say this part of the process is normal and is a collaboration between the city, public safety, and property owners, according to KCRG.