The city’s special events coordinator Cheryl Burnette let’s us know that marathon season is just around the corner…

The community is invited to attend an ING Marathon Community Information Meeting on Thursday, February 5^th from 6 – 7pm in the City Commission Room at Decatur City Hall. Organizers from ING will be there to answer questions as well as give information about volunteering, the Community Challenge, the race route and more. The event is scheduled, Sunday, March 29^th.

The City of Decatur will be staffing two water stations again this year, as well as have a cheering section. And of course, we will be competing to win once again!

The first year of the marathon, Decatur won 1st place in the neighborhood challenge (and $10,000 to boot!).  Last year, our cheering  ranked second behind Candler Park and we received a $5,000 prize.  So this year, we’ve gotta step it up and reclaim our title, showing Candler Park that we are the true champions when it comes to screaming and corny rhyming signs!

After winning the ING Marathon cheering section competition and a cool $10k in the race’s 2007 inaugural year, Decatur finished second to peppy arch rival (apparently) Candler Park this time around. Full results here.

But we don’t go home empty-handed. A second place finish means the city will receive $5k, which will go to the Decatur Education Foundation to fund “the Athletic Booster Club and Carter Wilson for sports and fitness program for Decatur students”. (from the May Decatur Focus – now online here)

Next year Candler Park…we’re comin’ for ya.