ABOUT THE MAGNIFICENT MILE RACE
The Magnificent Mile Races & Fun Runs are the inspiration of Sarah Roberts-Witt who has PLS, a motor neuron disease related to ALS; and Scott Corsmeier and Amy Petrrucci, siblings who have HSP, a hereditary motor neuron disease. Sarah was an avid runner and marathoner until her illness began in 2004. Scott and Amy were diagnosed when they were young children. Proceeds from these races will help fund research grants awarded by the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation.

THE MAGNIFICENT MILE RACES & COURSES
All races are run on pavement. Races go on rain or shine. The competitive mile run features a very fast and flat course down Hillsborough Street, around the Capitol and
back to the start. The course is USATF certified (course #NC07111NW) and USATF sanctioned. Timing will use the ChampionChip® system. The non-competitive mile run/walk will start immediately afterward on the same course. Baby joggers will be permitted only in the non-competitive mile run/walk. The Mini-Mile runs will start at approximately 3PM and will be 100 meters for 6-and-under and ¼ mile for 6-10 year olds. Parents are welcome and encouraged to run with their children. For safety, NO HEADPHONES allowed in any of the races. Timing for the competitive race (only) will use the ChampionChip system. Chips will be issued on race morning (failure to return your chip immediately after the race will result in a $15 charge).

All competitive performances will be submitted for both state and national records. The mile course starts and finishes near the Second Empire Restaurant & Tavern, 330 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC.
 

Last year a record field of over 700 runners and walkers turned out for what has become one of the area’s premier events attracting the best runners in the state competing for the cash prizes as well as those who just want to participate.

Bobby Mack tied the state record in winning the Men’s Mile in 4:13. Kasia Sujkowski won the women’s mile in 5:03. In addition to Mack, seven other runners either tied or established new state records for their age groups.
Once again the race has been designated at the North Carolina USAT&F State Championship offering cash awards to the top finishers. The top three finishers in both the Men’s Mile and the Women’s Mile will receive $250, $150, and $100 for 1st-, 2n- and 3rd-place, respectively. The top two master male and female finishers will receive awards of $100 and $50 for 1st- and 2nd-place, respectively as will to he top two grandmaster finishers for each sex.
Additionally, awards will be presented to the top three finishers in each of the following age groups in the competitive mile: 9-under 10-14, 15-19 and continuing in five-year age groups all the way to 85-over.

There will actually be three separate mile races – the Med’s Mile at 2:00 pm, the Women’s Mile at 2:20 pm, and the Recreational Mile at 2:40 pm. Participants in the latter race will not receive official times.
The two children’s runs will begin at 3 pm.
All of the races start and finish on the 400 block of Hillsborough Street next to the Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern.

The entry fees are $20 for the competitive mile, $15 for the recreation mile. After August 29, the fees increase to $25 and $20, respectively. The entry fee for children ages 14 and under is $10 (with no late fee) regardless of which race they enter.
Race packets can be picked up and late entries can register on Thursday, September 16, at The Athlete’s Foot in Cameron Village from 5-7 pm or on race day at the start/finish area beginning at 12 noon. There will be a special drawing for a gift certificate for $50 to TAF limited to those who stop by The Athletes Foot to pick up their race packet or register that Thursday.

The Magnificent Mile is also the first event in the 2010 Second Empire Fall Grand Prix. Other events are the Anna’s Angels 10 Miler in RTP on September 26, the Triangle Run/Walk for Autism in Raleigh on October 9, the Run for Healthier Babies in Morrisville on October 23, the Free to Breathe 5K in Raleigh on November 6, the Inside-Out Sports Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 8K in Cary on Thanksgiving Day, the Jingle Bell Run in Raleigh on December 4th and the Jolly Elf Trail Run in Cary on December 11.

The Magnificent Mile is the inspiration of Sarah Witt, a former runner who now has PLS, a motor neuron disease related to ALS, and Scott and Amy Corsmeier, siblings who have HSP, an hereditary motor neuron disease, Proceeds from the race benefit the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation