Midnight Madness Marathon steps out Saturday night in Hamilton

First-time event starts at The Fitton Center.

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How to go

What: Midnight Madness Marathon

When: Saturday, Sept. 10, marathon and marathon relays begin at 7 p.m. Half marathon and 10K races start at 7:30 p.m. A Race to Midnight 5K will kick off at 11:30 p.m.

Where: Start and finish at The Fitton Center for Creative Arts, 101 S. Monument Ave., Hamilton.

Cost: Registration fees start at $20 and up. (Fees vary per course.)

More info: www.midnightmadnessmarathon.com

A brand new event is headed to town. Hundreds of walkers and runners will gather for Ohio’s first evening marathon on Saturday, Sept. 10, as the first Inaugural Midnight Madness Marathon is held in Hamilton. The start and finish for the race will be at the Fitton Center.

MORE: Evening event offers unique choice for local runners

Joshua Stephens, director of sports marketing and sales for the Butler County Visitors Bureau, said the marathon, and two-, four- and six-person marathon relays will start at 7 p.m., with a half-marathon and a 10K race to begin at 7:30 p.m. A Race to Midnight 5K will kick off at 11:30 p.m.

“Bringing something like the Midnight Madness Marathon to our area is very exciting. This is a first-time event,” Stephens said.

He said, we were approached by Jonathan Grinder, he is the race director for Tucson Racing. In the past, he has organized events in Loveland and Cincinnati. He is also one of the announcers for the USA Triathlon.

Stephens said the county established a relationship with Grinder as a result of hosting the USA Triathlon events in West Chester over the last several years.

“Mr. Grinder was really intrigued by what we were able to do with the USA Triathlon in regard to supporting it, the venue, etc.,” he said.

For the Midnight Madness Marathon, organizers have also teamed up with several area partners, including the Fitton Center and the Great Miami Valley YMCA.

“We are always looking for new ways, and new experiences to enhance our sports offerings in Butler County, and because this is so unique, it’s a great fit for what we’re looking for,” said director of marketing Tracy Kocher of Butler County Visitors Bureau.

The course is a 6.55-mile loop that runs along the Great Miami River. It will take four laps to complete the marathon, and two laps for the half-marathon.

“Most of the courses aren’t on rivers, so it’s nice for us to be able to highlight something different in the City of Hamilton,” Stephens said.

Dana McConnaughey, sales manager for sports and events, Butler County Visitors Bureau said participants can register and find out specifics about the event online at www.midnightmadnessmarathon.com.

“There will also be an entertainment aspect. We will have DJ’s throughout the course. The atmosphere will be similar to a night party, so it’s not strictly an event where you come and race, and then you’re done,” McConnaughey said.

From beginners to more experienced participants, organizers are hoping to attract about 400 runners this year. The first 250 participants to sign up will receive a commemorative glass from Municipal Brew Works, and those ages 21 and up will receive a drink ticket for a special beer that will be created for the event.

The same day, Hamilton will put on an all-day music festival, David Shaw's Big River Get Down, at RiversEdge Amphitheater. The festival will include a solo performance by David Shaw as well as an appearance from The Revivalists. A full lineup of artists will perform throughout the festival.

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