Fort McMurray gets new half-marathon

Runners in Fort McMurray, Alta., get ready to run—the city is getting a brand-new half marathon this fall.

The inaugural City Centre McMurray Half-Marathon will take place on Sept. 15 and feature a weekend filled with activities, according to Fort McMurray Today. The weekend will feature performances by Canadian rockers Our Lady Peace and Sloan. The event is replacing the annual MacDonald Island Park race.

“It’ll do lots for downtown, but it’ll do a tremendous amount for the entire community,” said Rick Kirschner, marathon co-chair and community relations manager for the City Centre redevelopment project told the paper. “We’re had some successful running clubs and things in the past, but to bring those people together for a world-class marathon is going to raise the value of the event … and of course, bring some focus to downtown.”

The race will offer 3K, 5K, 10K and half marathon options. Organizers say they will add a marathon distance in 2014 and hope it will be a Boston qualifier by 2015.

Registration for the race is now open through citycentremcmurray.com and macdonaldisland.ca.

Can’t make it to Fort McMurray for the race? Check out Canadian Running’s list of the 21 top 21K races and find one you like.