The lower-40s temperatures, coupled with a light, blustery wind and overcast sky, seemed to make half-marathon runners even more eager to flock to Texarkana this weekend for the 12th annual Run the Line Half-Marathon.
In fact, the Twin Cities actually attracted the highest number of these runners to date since the marathon's 2006 inception-690 to be exact-with the number of female sprinters doubling the number of their male counterparts.
Just like last year, Sunday morning's light illuminated the gradual collection of these running enthusiasts as they gathered near the Bi-State Justice Center Building in downtown Texarkana. For many, if not most these participants, the running conditions offered by the late winter weather proved to be nothing short of ideal, said Julie-Ray Harrison, the event's co-director.
"The weather actually helps propels these runners and after a while, the heat that they generate from themselves actually makes the cool conditions even more nice,"she said.
Also like this time last year, Harrison said the percentage of out-of-town runners more then doubled that of home grown runners.
"This year, things will shake out to show that about 30 percent of our runners are local (from a 30-mile radius of Texarkana) while 70 percent are from outside that area," she said.
This year's marathon also continued to mirror last year's for many of the event's 225 volunteers. Following the 7:30 a.m. runner last off from the starting line, these hearty helpers wasted no time in scampering up a few downtown city blocks to the marathon's finish line in front of Hopkins Ice House on East Third Street. There, they once again prepared to joyously greet and receive the sprinters at the end of the 13-mile jaunt.
Besides being at the finish line, at least six to 10 volunteers took up positions at each or the seven bottle water stations along the entire trek in order to refresh winded runners.
Along with the volunteer water teams, about 70 other volunteers were distributed equitably, as well as where need be, along the route to help keep the contestants on the right streets and roadways.
"These volunteers help keep our runners on course and we also have the help of about 22 city police officers, who make sure car traffic keeps away from the entire route," Harrison said.
She added that the marathon continues to collect roughly $40,000 a year, which is used as matching funds for state and federal grant money-revenue needed for the continuing extension of walking and recreational trails enjoyed by both cities.
Partnership for the Pathway volunteer Joseph Kopecky, of Hope, Ark., said that Texas-side families living in the vintage neighborhood homes along Pine and Olive Streets usually come out and offer runners boxes of candy-something that gives these joggers a much needed burst of energy along the way.
"These runners are a very closely knit breed of contenders," Kopecky said. "They are all very familiar with the rigors of training."
Volunteer Tim Paslay, who distributed red,white and blue finisher medals to all incoming sprinters, agreed.
"It is a very rewarding experience just to see these athletes cross the finish line. And we get to congratulate them," he said.