Fayetteville has always been a city of heroes, but what sets apart those who do and those who veg out on Taco Bell and Hulu Plus? Fitness. Come and join Fort Bragg’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation along with Generation UCAN as they host the inaugural All-American Marathon. Answering the call for an official marathon, Fort Bragg and the City of Fayetteville have teamed up to bring this event to the All-American City. This fitness-based initiative aims to help active-duty military and citizens alike maintain a healthy lifestyle and inspire them with this annual event. Happening on May 4 at 6:30 a.m., the event consists of three separate races.

The full marathon, which will be 26.2 miles, runs from Festival Park in beautiful downtown Fayetteville, past the Iron Mike statue at the Airborne Special Operations Museum, up to Morganton Road, onto the All-American Freeway, through Fort Bragg and ends in the heart of the post at the Main Post Parade Field. The half marathon is known as the “Mike-to-Mike” and is 13.1 miles. It runs part of the same course that the full marathon runners take. However, after entering Fort Bragg, the full marathon runners will split off into a course that will lead them past the “Iron Mike” statue before reaching the Parade Field as well. Finally, the 5K is a 3.1, family-friendly run that welcomes strollers and walkers who just want to be a part of this event. Beginning and ending on the Parade Field, the 5K will remain on Fort Bragg.

After this event, all of the runners and volunteers will converge onto the Main Post Parade Field for a post-race celebration. All involved will enjoy food, drinks and live entertainment from the 82nd Airborne’s rock band. The U.S. Army Special Operations Parachute Demonstration Team, The Black Daggers, will perform a jump for the audience. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this amazing event.

The response from the community has been outstanding. Having advertised nationally as well as locally, MWR has registered more than 2,000 runners thus far. Brittney Vandermoere, assistant race director for MWR, said “We’re very excited with the turnout for the inaugural race. We have a lot of people signed up and need 1,200 volunteers.” The organization hopes to enlist the help of several people who can help facilitate the event by keeping runners hydrated and various other duties. The night before the race, as is customary, the Holiday Inn Bordeaux will host a pre-race pasta party with Olympian Meb Keflezighi for those about to race.

The cost to attend is only $11.95. The MWR hopes to have many people sign up to race and volunteer. The cost to register per person is only $25 for the 5k, $75 for the half marathon and $90 for the full marathon. Prices include entrance into the party, t-shirts and custom race medals for those who finish the full marathon in seven hours or the half marathon in four hours. Come join the MWR as they host the inaugural All-American Marathon. For more information or to register, visit www.mwr/allamericanmarathon.com.

Photo: Don’t miss Fayetteville’s first All-American Marathon