1,200 expected to try Batavia half-marathon Sunday

Early risers in Batavia Sunday will be joined by 1,200 runners, as the second annual Half-Madness half-marathon takes place.

It's too late to sign up to run, but people are encouraged to watch and cheer the runners on the 13-mile course throughout town.

Last year, people cheered, and offered to hose down hot runners, en route.

"We hope everybody feels like they can participate ... it makes it a fun community event," said Sue Dziuban of Multisport Madness, the organizer.

Spectators are also invited to attend post-race festivities at the Riverwalk, Island Avenue and Houston Street, until noon. Food will be sold and vendors of running gear will set up shop.

The title sponsor of the run, Foot Mechanics pedorthotics podiatry specialist, will collect money, running shoes and orthotics for its Feet in Need Foundation. In June, representatives delivered more than 500 pairs of shoes and orthotics to a secondary school in Kenya.

The race starts at 7 a.m. It heads west on Houston Street to Jefferson Street, north to North Avenue, west to Van Nortwick Avenue, south to Main Street, west to Millview Drive, south to Danforth Drive, east to Jefferson, north to Union Street, east to Pamarco Drive, north to Main, east over the Fox River at Clark Island Park, south on the Fox River Trail to the Illinois Prairie Path trail, east to Larkspur Lane, north to Giese Road, east to Woodland Hills Road, north to Meadowdale Lane, west to Cleveland Avenue, west to Prairie Street, north to Madison Street, west to Park Street, south to Church Street, west to the Fox River Trail, north to the bridge in the Fabyan Forest Preserve, then south on the trail on the west side of the river, finishing at the Riverwalk.

These streets, and parts of Route 31, will be closed to vehicular traffic for periods shortly before and during the race.

The awards ceremony is at 9:30 a.m., and the course closes at 10 a.m.

Part of the proceeds from entry fees will go to the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry and the Multisport Madness Triathlon Team, which organizes triathlons for children.