Fort 4 Fitness has record number of participants

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Fort 4 Fitness will take place the last Saturday in September.  This year's event can have up to 10,000 runners, the most ever in its five year history.  In each of the past four years, the event has sold out, but organizers hope that's not the case this year.

In 2011, the race could only hold 9,300 participants.  Registration had to be closed early, and some people were turned away.

"We've unfortunately reached a point where we did sell out," Brad Kimmel, the event's executive director said, when referencing past races.

Kimmel said selling out is not the point of Fort 4 Fitness.

"Our mission is to create a healthier environment and promote healthy living and fitness throughout northeast Indiana," he said.

As of Thursday night, 9,600 people had signed up for the races on September 29.  Registration ends at the end of Friday.

Click here if you're interested in registering.

The most popular race is the half marathon.  Kimmel said 3,500 people had already signed up, and the number is growing every day.  One of the racers is Brent Harring, who will run in his second half marathon at Fort 4 Fitness.

"Everyone is encouraging while you're running the race itself," Harring said, who has also ran the four-mile race at Fort 4 Fitness in the past.  "People are stopping you, and telling you you're doing a good job.  And to keep going."

The words of encouragement are a big part of the day.  According to Kimmel, close to 15,000 spectators line up along the race to cheer on the runners and walkers.

"People go out and they get out of their houses and cheer for people coming by," Kimmel said.  "We'll have cheer blocks all over the course this year. 

"It's really a unique setting for people to be able to finish with their face on the jumbotron at Parkview Field," Kimmel added.  "And cross home plate, which is our finish line."

Kimmel said there are a couple additions to this year's event.  Road Runners Club of America will use the half marathon as its Midwest Regional Championship.

Also, participants from the last season of Fort Wayne's Smallest Winner will run in the half marathon.  They were scheduled to run their own half marathon in July, but it was canceled due to the heat.

After the races, Fort 4 Fitness will hold small festivities at Parkview Field to celebrate the event's fifth year.