09/24/2019
Here's hoping that the sun is shining bright (but not TOO bright) for this weekend's first-ever in Eclipseville! Welcome to all visitors and best of luck to all participants!
⚠️🚨 EMAIL SENT TO PARTICIPANTS! ⚠️🚨
Hello Racers!
First off, thank you for registering for the Inaugural Hoptown Half Marathon & 5K, sponsored by Planters Bank and Jennie Stuart Health! It’s hard to believe that race day is less than ONE week away!
This historic event has already been successful because of your participation and belief in the cause.
Please read THIS COMPLETE race update. It has important instructions and information. If you have ANY questions that are not answered below, please do not hesitate to reach out to us through our page or calling 270-887-4290.
We want to ensure that you have the most wonderful experience possible!
Hoptown Half & 5K Expo & PACKET PICKUP
The pre-race expo will take place from 11:00am to 7:00pm on Friday, September 27, 2019 at the Planters Bank-Jennie Stuart Health Sportsplex Hopkinsville, located at 155 Tilley Way. The complete list of vendors is located on our website. Bring the whole family, as the expo is open to the public, whether you’re participating in the race or not.
We’ll also have a decorating station for spectators to create signs and customize their own cowbell, presented by Hopkinsville Convention and Visitor's Bureau.
You must show a photo ID AND RACE CONFIRMATION EMAIL to pick up your race packet. If you have taken advantage of the Military or First Responder Discount, please also bring your proper identification, as specified in your registration process. Someone else may pick up your packet on your behalf, but they MUST present a copy of your photo ID AND RACE CONFIRMATION EMAIL. Packets will include your bib number and the coveted long sleeve dri-fit race shirt.
Hoptown Half & 5K Pasta Dinner
Everyone knows that runners love to carb-load on Race Eve, so make sure to purchase your ticket for our Pasta Dinner, with food provided by Four Seasons Catering. This event will take place from 6:30-8 pm. on Friday, Sept. 27 at the aforementioned Sportsplex, in conjunction with the Expo.
We will also have a special guest, Stella Christoforou, who is a nationally and internationally renowned runner. Her MANY accomplishments include winning the 2018 women’s Nashville Rock N’ Roll Marathon. You won’t want to miss her remarks during the Pasta Dinner!
Tickets to this event are limited and available for purchase through the store link on our website. This dinner is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC and will benefit the United Way of the Pennyrile. We have limited space and need to alert our caterer for numbers on Wednesday, September 25, so please make your reservation online before Noon on 09/25.
REGISTRATION
If you have any registration changes, please contact us before WEDNESDAY, September 25, 2019. As stated on our website, we do not offer refunds, however we would be happy to switch race distances for you, if necessary.
Registration will remain available online, as well as on-site at the expo and on race morning. There will be a $10 PRICE INCREASE at midnight on Thursday, September 27, 2019, so if any of your friends are procrastinating, be sure to remind them to register before then!
RACE DAY
Registration and packet pickup on RACE DAY will be available from 5:30am-6:30am, and is located in the Christian County Justice Center parking lot at 100 Justice Way. Please plan on arriving at least an hour prior to the race in order to find parking, use the facilities, warm-up, etc.
The Planters Bank Hoptown Half Marathon will begin at 7:00 am and the Jennie Stuart Health Hoptown 5K will start at 7:15 a.m., with former Olympic runner and current Hopkinsville High School head track coach Fred Sowerby firing the starting gun. The starting line is located at 1001 S. Main Street, in front of Ferrell's Snappy Service. Walkers, please start towards the back, and also try to stay to the right of the course.
PARKING
There is plenty of parking around downtown, but there will be limited spots in the Christian County Justice Center lot (100 Justice Way) on a first-come, first-serve basis. There will also be limited spots located at the Hopkinsville Municipal Building (715 S. Virginia Street), with several street spots around it, as well as lots at Virginia Street & 14th Street near Planters Bank. Other large downtown parking lots are located at First United Methodist Church and Second Baptist Church.
WEATHER
The race will take place rain or shine, and as of right now it is looking like the sun will be shining bright and hot! Please make sure to drink plenty of fluids, and bring your preferred source of electrolytes. Water will be provided at 11 water stations along the Half Marathon course, and 1 (one) water station along the 5K course. Additionally, there will be Gatorade at Mile 7.
VOLUNTEERS
If you know of anyone that would like to assist with this event, we would love to have the help! Please have them fill out the volunteer registration form, located under each job description on the volunteer portion of our website: HoptownHalf.com.
We will be hosting an informal meet and greet (a.k.a. help us fill the swag bags session) on Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at 7:00 pm. This will take place at the Planters Bank-Jennie Stuart Health Sportsplex, 155 Tilley Way. Anyone that is willing to help is more than welcome!
POST RACE
After you finish the race, and start cooling off by walking through our misting tents, make your way to the Justice Center parking lot. We’ll be supplying some delicious snacks and beverages, compliments of US Foods and Dairy Queen.
Also located in the parking lot, you’ll be able to check your official finish time at the kiosks provided by 3 Way Racing, get a massage and receive some stretching tips from Pound Family Chiropractic, vote for your favorite cheer team along the course and purchase official Hoptown Half Marathon & 5K merchandise!
RESULTS & AWARDS
An awards ceremony will take place after the majority of participants have finished, and once we have the final age group finisher data. The awards ceremony will begin at approximately 8:15 a.m. (5K awards) and 9 am. (Half Marathon awards) in front of the Christian County Justice Center. Awards will be presented in the following categories for each race distance:
- Overall: Awards presented to the top three overall male and female finishers in the Planters Bank Half Marathon and Jennie Stuart Health 5K
- Age Group: Awards presented to the first and second place male and the first and second place female finishers in each age division of the Planters Bank Half Marathon and Jennie Stuart Health 5K
- Team/Industry Challenge: Awards presented to the top team in each small and large division
POST RACE PARTY
The fun doesn’t have to end after the race and post-race awards are over. The Second Annual Hoptown Harvest Festival begins at Noon on Saturday (located downtown near the finish line) and includes an array of events like the Kentucky Bourbon Mashoree, Farmers Market & Vintage Craft Fair and Christian County Military Affairs Committee Chili Cookoff and Grilled Cheese Challenge. Make plans to spend some time with your family in downtown Hoptown that afternoon. There will also be a Kids Zone, live music and adult beverages.
SPONSOR SHOUT-OUT
This event WOULD NOT be possible without all of our amazing sponsors. We are so incredibly grateful to each of them. Check out their pages and thank them for sponsoring the race by visiting their businesses. When you stop by, be sure to tell them that you saw them at the Hoptown Half Marathon & 5K! Please see below for a complete list of our sponsors.
Presented by:
Planters Bank (Half Marathon)
Jennie Stuart Health (5K)
Sponsored by:
Fleet Feet Clarksville
Lock Laces
HealthSlide
Hopkinsville GNC
Chick-fil-A Hopkinsville
MD VIP
Hopkinsville Parks & Recreation
Hopkinsville Running Group
Christian County Weather Spotter Network
Q108
YourSportsEdge.com
WHOP Hopkinsville, KY 98.7 and 95.3 FM and 1230 AM
Pound Family Chiropractic
WKDZ/WHVO
J Schrecker Jewelry
Dairy Queen
US Foods
The Bruce
Hand Family Companies
Hopkinsville Convention and Visitor's Bureau
