Y’town goes the distance with inaugural marathon

Come bright and early Sunday morning, Youngstown at last will be in the running with the big-league municipalities across the state, nation and world.

That’s when the city will catch up with all of the other major metropolitan areas in the Buckeye State by hosting its first true-blue full-fledged marathon road race. In addition to the prestige value it’s already brought to the Mahoning Valley, the marathon stands to benefit the more than 1,000 runners registered to run in it as well as the city itself and the deserving charities the race generously supports.

We congratulate Courtney Poullas, president and organizer of the event, as well as its many sponsors – including 21 WFMJ-TV, The Vindicator’s broadcast partner – for paving the way for the event to hit the ground running.

After all, a marathon in the heart of the Mahoning Valley is a natural. Running has long been a noteworthy element in the Greater Youngstown area’s DNA. One need only look at the immense success of the highly competitive Youngstown Peace Race, formerly the International Peace Race, that has attracted hordes of runners to the city from throughout the world for the past 45 years.

Or consider the huge success of the Panerathon, a 10K benefit run to support the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center, that routinely attracts 10,000-plus participants each August in the Valley’s single largest fundraising event bar none.

It does not take a rocket scientist then to deduce why such events have been so popular and why the potential for success of the inaugural Youngstown Marathon runs high.

For the participants themselves, personal rewards abound. Long-distance running provides an efficient full-blown workout, burns thousands of calories, tones the body, provides an inviting opportunity for socializing, and enhances overall emotional well-being.

With so much going for it, it’s no wonder that the ranks of marathon running have grown by leaps and bounds over the years. According to Running USA, the number of marathon runners who finished grueling 26.1-mile long courses has soared from 50,000 in 1976 to 509,000 in 2015.

The city and the Valley, too, reap tangible dividends. Participants expected from other communities, states and nations will contribute an estimated $500,000 to the burgeoning tourism industry here. The city’s revitalized public image also gains gusto as a spot among elite marathon bases around the world.

Also counted among the winners will be the two major designated community charities: the Mahoning Valley United Way’s Success After Six program and the Trumbull County Children’s Rehabilitation Center.

Given its plethora of positives, we count on the marathon to make its mark. Marathon weekend begins today with a Health and Fitness Expo at the Central YMCA from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and a Kids Run downtown at 11:30 a.m. The marathon and half-marathon begin at 7 a.m. sharp Sunday.

Here’s hoping for a successful race weekend that will stand out as the first of a long run of marathons and prove Youngstown can indeed go the distance with the best of them in talent, success and pride.