Columbia, S.C. - (November 7, 2014) The Columbia Regional Sports Council (CRSC) is proud to assist the Columbia Marathon Association and the Lexington Medical Center in the 42nd Annual Governor's Cup Road Race on Saturday, Nov. 8. The event will feature a half-marathon, 8 kilometer run, 3-mile walk and kids' cup race. There will also be an expo today at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, which will feature local and national vendors and exhibitors. Registration is available at the Expo. There will be no race day registration. Runners may pick up their packets from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Ballroom A or on race day from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. in the atrium.

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Road Closures
Prepare for road closures on Gervais, Main, Pendleton, Greene, College, Sumter, Marion, Bull, Pickens, Divine, Henderson, Barnwell, Gregg, Harden and Oak. Roads will re-open at 11 a.m. Please see attached course map for more details.

Race Day Schedule:

  • 7:30 a.m.: Opening ceremonies at the start line at Gervais and Main Street
  • 8 a.m.: Half-Marathon begins 
  • 8:20 a.m.: 8K Run begins 
  • 8:30 a.m.: 3-Mile Walk and Kid's Run begin
  • 9:30 a.m.: Awards ceremonies will begin for the 8K Run
  • 10:30 a.m.: Award ceremonies will begin for the Half Marathon
  • 11 a.m.: Course closes

"It is always a pleasure to work with the Governor's Cup. This is our 7th year being involved. We have enjoyed assisting this event in its 42nd year that is now a staple in our community. Our role is to get the word out on the event and assist the race with logistics, partnerships and marketing campaigns," states Scott Powers, executive director of CRSC.

Accommodations were available at the Hilton Columbia Center for the estimated 3,000 attendees. The economic impact is currently estimated at $189,218.

"The Governor's Cup is a great example of a community event supporting fitness and health," said Jim Deyling, president of the Private Business division of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. "We encourage South Carolinians to participate in this event, or to come cheer on the participants."

The road race welcomes runners of any experience level. Participants include beginners like Cait Costello, marketing coordinator at Historic Columbia, who said, "I can't wait to run my first half marathon at home with my friends here to cheer me toward the finish line."

On the other end of the spectrum, experienced runner Jesse Smarr will be completing his 25th Governor's Cup Road Race. He mentioned his motivation to participate year after year is "to experience the joy and benefit of running, keep the beginning pace at a comfortable level and just keep going, going and going."

For more information, contact Scott Powers, executive director of the Columbia Regional Sports Council or go to the Governor's Cup website.


About Columbia Regional Sports Council
The mission of the Columbia Regional Sports Council is to strengthen the area's economy by marketing and selling Columbia, S.C. as a premier destination for sporting events, partnering with local sports organizations to grow and develop existing events, and by recruiting new events that provide an economic benefit to the region by generating room nights, food and beverage sales, and associated tax revenues. For more information, visit columbiasportscouncil.com.

About Carolina Marathon Association
The non-profit Carolina Marathon Association was formed locally in 1976. Its goals are to promote health and fitness; establish the Greater Columbia area as a nationally recognized center for running events, primarily long distance; promote the community and economic development by enhancing the Greater Columbia area's reputation regionally and nationally; improve the public health by promoting appropriate physical activity; provide opportunities for participation of youth in health and fitness activities; position CMA to submit competitive bids for future championship and Olympic Trial events.

About Lexington Medical Center
Lexington Medical Center, in West Columbia, S.C., anchors a county-wide health care network that includes six community medical centers throughout Lexington County and employs a staff of 5,900 health care professionals. The network also includes comprehensive cardiovascular care, an occupational health center, the largest nursing home in the Carolinas and more than 60 Doctor's Offices. At its heart is the 414-bed state-of-the-art Lexington Medical Center, with a reputation for the highest quality care. Lexington Medical Center won "Best Hospital" by readers of The State for ten years in a row, "Best Hospital" by readers of the Free Times, "Best Place to Have a Baby" by readers of Palmetto Parent, the "Consumer Choice Award" from the National Research Corporation and the prestigious "Summit Award" from Press Ganey for outstanding patient satisfaction.

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