Submitted

The Secret City Half Marathon and 5K has grown into one of the largest athletic events in Oak Ridge. A field of an estimated 700 runners and walkers will participate when the race celebrates its seventh anniversary on Saturday, November 21.

“This year we have totally revamped the event, and we think participants are going to really enjoy the changes,” says Lisa Kendall, race director for the half marathon and 5K races and event sales manager for the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau.

In the past, the event was held over two days but that is down to one day with both races starting just 15 minutes apart. The previous “double loop” half marathon route is gone, replaced with a route that starts and finishes on the Melton Lake peninsula and includes Union Valley Road, home to the Rogers Group, which is the presenting sponsor of this year’s event.

“We are thrilled that the Roger’s Group gave us permission to route the race down their private road and by their quarry,” Kendall said. “It’s a very scenic route that will be new to many Oak Ridgers as well.” [Read more…]