If you're running Sunday and you think the guy who just passed you looks like Bill Rodgers, it's probably because he is Bill Rodgers.
Rodgers, a fixture at the first three editions of the Palm Beaches Marathon, is a last-minute addition in the half-marathon field. In past years, he has served as a VIP runner, ambassador and analyst on the live telecast.
Rodgers, 62, is a four-time winner of both the Boston and New York City marathons.
Although he's known as "Boston Billy," with freezing temperatures in New England, the invitation to visit South Florida was too tempting to pass up.
Numbers holding steady: The participation level for the seventh annual Palm Beaches Marathon Festival should be on par with recent years.
Race director Mat Forrest said as of late Wednesday, there were 2,700 entries for the half-marathon and 700 for the marathon, putting both on track to match last year's totals of 2,808 half-marathoners and 827 marathoners. Registration will be available until the expo ends at 6 p.m. Saturday at CityPlace.
Forrest said there are 2,400 students from 60 schools entered in the kids' races at CityPlace, 150 signed up for the Bill Bone Bike Tour and 669 registered for the 5K, which will kick off this weekend's competition at 7 tonight at Clematis Street and Flagler Drive.
Noteworthy: Achilles International, an organization for athletes with disabilities, has a team of 80 athletes competing with hand-crank wheelchairs, its largest contingent for a U.S. marathon behind the New York City Marathon and Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. For the fourth consecutive year, South Olive Elementary has the most students covering the 26.2-mile distance in increments over several months. Because 220 plan to run the final mile Saturday, the school received a $1,000 check for athletic equipment. Sunset Palm Elementary (112 participants) received $500.
ShareThis