The fifth annual Murray Half Marathon put on by the Murray-Calloway County Hospital will take place at 7 a.m. April 18.

The last day to sign up is April 17 at the marathon’s exposition and packet pick-up at the Center for Health and Wellness from 10a.m.-6p.m. The Center for Health and Wellness is located at 716 Poplar Street in Murray.

Runners can also sign up at www.MurrayHalfMarathon.org.

The Murray Half Marathon is organized by Murray-Calloway County Hospital Endowment Coordinator, Susan Davis. Davis got the idea for the half marathon from her daughter while she was in college.

Davis’ daughter thought a half marathon would be a great opportunity for Murray.

Davis was hooked on the idea and rallied Murray’s support. The response from the community was outstanding, Davis said. 

This was an opportunity to promote tourism and local businesses.

“I want people coming in for the marathon to see what a nice place this is; nice parks, a beautiful campus, and to help tourism and local businesses,” Davis said.

This year runners will come from 15 different states. Many runners have never gotten to see all of Murray.

Davis hopes to change this by displaying the best of Murray on the grand tour provided by the route.

To help show off the Murray community, the path will show runners the best Murray has to offer.

The path will go through the court house square, the park where Playhouse in the Park, a community theater company takes place, industrial areas and the Murray State campus. 

The starting line will be at the Center for Health and Wellness, which will open at 5:30 a.m. on April 18. Along with the 13.1 mile race, there will also be a 5K beginning at 7:10 a.m.

Prizes will be given for the 5K and Age Division Awards at 8:30 a.m.

The cash awards for the half marathon will be given at 9:15 a.m.

Proceeds will go to the Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House.

The Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House provides comfort to patients at the end of their lives.

It offers a calm environment to patients and encourage visits from family and friends.

The Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House is funded solely on donations and depends on events like the half marathon.

Last year the marathon made $45,000 to the Anna Mae Residential Hospice House project and had more than 700 runners participate.

Story by Jessica Bostick, Contributing writer