New half marathon coming to downtown Seattle

Well, new this morning, there is a new half marathon coming to Seattle. Come June, runners will get the chance to experience Seattle from street level. RunX Seattle, partnering with the Seattle Sports Commission to host this premier half marathon. And joining us now to tell about this first-time event is Alex Webster with the Seattle Sports Commission, joining me in studio, and also Josh Furlow with RunX Seattle, Bill, who joins us via satellite, via Zoom, or whatever the technology is these days. Josh, Alex, good morning to you both. Thanks, Bill. Good morning. Okay, so tell us about this new half marathon and Run X Seattle, kind of what we're looking forward to here. Well, Josh, I was going to say, Josh and his team has done a fantastic job of putting this together. Yeah, in partnership with Alex and Beth Knox and the entire Seattle Sports Commission, We have a great opportunity as a partnership to really develop and debut RunX Seattle, taking the month of June, June 13th, next year, to produce a great marquee event for the stakeholders in Seattle, Seattle sports. At the same time, we really want to tell the community story of bringing this into all the neighborhoods. And the weather is fantastic here in Seattle in June. It is perfect for a running event and Run-X partnering with the Seattle Sports Commission. So, Alex, talk about the role of the Seattle Sports Commission's playing in Run-X. Yeah, well, as far as the Seattle Sports Commission, our job is to champion in the region for world-class sporting events. And one of the things that we're hearing come off of FIFA is what's next. And so for a lot of the folks in our region, how do we bring that vibe and that feeling that everybody had? And we can't have a World Cup every year. But what we can do is bring events like Run X that can bring that flavor of Seattle, that pride, that energy. And what they're putting together, Josh and his group, is extraordinary because they're going out and reaching out to our communities, our businesses, the run groups, and trying to get a sense for what they would like this to become. And so this really can become Seattle's annual event. And really kind of a signature event. So kind of a unique race set up from what I was reading. you're building an entire summer race weekend experience connecting runners directly with these neighborhoods and businesses and the culture so what what do you envision for this event at this point Josh yeah and what we envision it's it's not just another event organizer coming in to produce an event we want the community we want the stakeholders and we want the runners to be a part of that decision making with us what is showcased from small businesses what's showcase from landmarks, and having the ability to start on the waterfront. And that Seattle center showcasing the beautiful time of year and really look at not only do this for the region and for Seattle locals. But how we can bring the leisure tourists into there and what better way to see a marquee date in June by running 13.1 miles through the city. Absolutely and Alex we saw you mentioned the World Cup and One of the neat features of the Seattle waterfront over the last several years has been that overlook walk and that park has just completely transformed the waterfront. What a perfect place to really showcase the city and have that be kind of a central part for this run. Yeah, I think one of the exciting things is this is a downtown event and one of the things that they're still working on Josh and his team is the route. So, we definitely want to bring that flavor of downtown and that excitement and that energy in June, which was of course synonymous with World Cup last year and seeing if we can replicate that in a on an annualized basis with this event. And so what what runner benefits are included when you sign up for this? Yes, obviously everyone's going with the registration which is open as of today lowest price of the year at $89. You get a technical T, you get a medal. You get a post-event celebration, and then at the same time, you will get all of the activities that we're producing from Friday, June 11, all the way to June 13. And so are there plans to make this an annual event? What do you think? Yeah, this is an annual event. This is what Alex and myself are striving for. This will be a marquee annual event in the month of June. I think it's a great idea, I mean, a June run in Seattle, let's go, the weather's perfect. Couldn't be a better time of year. Thank you so much, Alex, with the Seattle Sports Commission, Josh with RunXSeattle. It's great to have you both this morning. Thank you. Great. Thank you so much. And by the way, the RunXSeattle Half Marathon, it's happening on June 13th. We have a link to register on our website. And you can be an early adopter and get a special early entry fee at fox13seattle.com.