From the DelawareOnline.com August 29.2007

Race course offers a long and short haul

By CECILY CAIRNS, The News Journal

Nov. 4 Run Fest events range from marathon to 5K

Race director Neil Semmel hasn't often catered strictly to runners.

Semmel, 43, has captained the organization of many triathlons and duathlons each summer since founding Piranha Sports in 2001 -- but it's been quite a spell since he last put on a footrace.

For the first time since he organized a 5-miler as a teenager in Coopersburg, Pa., Semmel is applying his race-directing skill sans the wheels and waves.

And with it he's offering a full menu of distances.

Semmel's Nov. 4 Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Marathon Run Fest features a full marathon, a half-marathon, a 10K and a 5K, each scored and timed separately on a segment of the same out-and-back course.

While Piranha Sports has made its name through triathlons and duathlons, Semmel is excited to affix his Delaware City-based marathon to the schedule.

"I've thought of this for about four or five years but started planning it last year," Semmel said. "We finally got approval to go ahead with it."

While regulars to the Piranha Sports series -- triathletes looking for an offseason rush -- will be out in force for the marathon, Semmel carefully designed the event to accommodate comers of every level and mind-set.

"What's going to be unique is that everybody can be involved in this race," he said. "We wanted to make it exciting for everybody."

The course, which horizontally bisects the state of Delaware along the C&D canal, features different turnaround points for each distance, with marathoners winging a U-turn just short of the state line.

Color-coding adds to the fun -- and sanity -- of the multidistance race card.

"Runners will be wearing different colored wrist bands to correspond with the distance they're running," Semmel said.

Piranha Sports will provide chip-timed splits at the 5K, 10K and half-marathon marks, and at those points on the way back.

"We're going to provide state-of-the-art timing," Semmel said. "We have our own chip timing system."

Although Semmel is accepting registration for the race, some of the details are still unsettled -- such as the marathon's course certification.

"We're going to try to get it certified. ... I did make contacts about that," Semmel said. "We think we're going to get that."

Also in the works is an after-party, as Semmel tries to coordinate with local restaurants, and several in-race amenities.

"We'll have water at every mile," said Semmel, who expects a turnout of about 1,000 across all four distances. "We also plan to have [portable toilets] at every mile.

"There will be a lot of trophies, and we're planning some sort of finishing medals for everybody."

While perks are to be decided, the Run Fest's course is mapped, starting in the same city that held Delaware's first marathon -- the Delaware National Guard Minuteman Marathon -- in 1978. "Delaware City is a great town to run in ... it's a really nice atmosphere," said Semmel, who has directed triathlons in the city. "Delaware City has always been very supportive of all the events we put on."

This event, Semmel said, won't be quite as taxing as the ones in which he specializes. But it'll get the same Piranha Sports polish.

"It shouldn't be too bad compared to the triathlons," he said. "Managing a triathlon is 20 times harder than managing a running race, so it's going to be great.

"We're going to treat it first-class all the way, because we do with all of our events."