Runner and coach Doug Merrill to make stop in Garner

Posted December 15, 2009 at 4:04 pm and filed under City, Community.

It’s time to lace up your running shoes.

Running route

Running route

On Sunday, Dec. 20, Town Manager Hardin Watkins will run a half marathon — that’s 13.1 miles — as part of a motivational program that encourages better mental and physical health.

Watkins will be running alongside Doug Merrill, organizer of the run and founder of the Power Up Foundation, as he passes through Garner on a six-month, 2,041-mile run. The run began Oct. 4 and is scheduled to conclude April 3, 2010, as Merrill makes his trek from Boston, Mass., to Key West, Fla., in almost-daily half-marathon increments.

Area residents are invited to run the half marathon or even just parts of it with Watkins and Merrill. Starting around 9 a.m. Sunday, Merrill will resume his run on Capital Boulevard at the West Peace Street intersection in Raleigh. The run will end at the intersection of Hwy 50 and Cleveland School Road.

Merrill will also speak at a Mid-Day Rotary Club meeting at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22 and at the Town Council meeting that evening at 7 p.m.

The goal of the run is to raise $25 million for the Power Up Foundation. The nonprofit organization offers grants to communities that promote programs focusing on the mental and physical health of area youth. For more information, visit powerupfoundation.com.

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