New date, new Course and Main Street Mile debut at the 44th Annual Governor’s Cup
April 6, 2016
Columbia Regional Sports Council is once again working with Carolina Marathon Association and Lexington Medical Center for the 44th Annual Governor’s Cup Road Race. This year’s event features a new date, a new course and a new Main Street Mile that will take place the night before the race.
The Governor’s Cup begins at 7 a.m. on Saturday, May 14th, and includes a kids’ fun run, a 5k and a half marathon.
The Governor’s Cup half marathon will be the final leg of a Triple Crown in collaboration with the Run Hard and Palmetto Half Marathons.
“The Governor’s Cup Road Race is one of the Southeast’s iconic running events and the 44th annual Governor’s Cup will draw on the event’s proud history while featuring numerous new elements,” said Russ Pate, Governor’s Cup Event Director. “The 2016 Governor’s Cup provides a totally new half marathon course that ties Columbia to Cayce and West Columbia, a fast 5k course that passes many of Columbia’s historical sites, an all-new Main Street Mile and a new spring date. We are thrilled to offer a state-of-the-art running event that will build on the wonderful traditions of the Governor’s cup while showing off Columbia’s tourist attractions and dramatic revitalization.”
The new courses are designed to pass many of the notable sites and attractions in Columbia. The first three miles of the courses for the 5k and half marathon races are identical and pass Columbia’s historic Main Street, South Carolina State House, Woodrow Wilson Family Home, Township Auditorium, Robert Mills House and Gardens, Hampton-Preston House and Gardens, Seibels House and Garden, Mann-Simons Site, the Governor’s Mansion and the Vista.
From there, the half marathon heads toward Cayce and West Columbia, passing by the South Carolina State Museum, EdVenture, Gervais Street Bridge, Guignard Brick Works, Blossom Street Bridge, USC, Shandon, Five Points, and the South Carolina Capitol Complex before finishing at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.
The new Main Street Mile will start near the corner of Main and Laurel Streets, heading south on Main to a turn-around at Lady Street, then returning to finish near the start. This course takes the runners right by Columbia Museum of Art as they host their popular quarterly event, Arts & Draughts.
“We’re excited about the changes made with the Governor’s Cup in its 44th year,” said Grayson Hopp, Sports Council Sales Manager. “Runners and their families can plan their trip to Columbia years in advance as the race will now always be held on the same weekend. The new course showcases many attractions that our area offers to visitors and locals. We encourage the entire community to welcome and celebrate the Governor’s Cup Road Race Running Festival!”
Twenty five Spirit Corps groups will be set up at every half mile to generate community and spectator enthusiasm, encourage the runners as they make their way along the course and compete for monetary prizes. Spirit Corps groups can include sign displays, drummers, dancers and more to keep the runners and spectators motivated and entertained.
Register for the race here. Participants can pick up their race packets or register late at the Hilton Columbia Center in the Vista on Friday, May 13th from 11 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. For more information, please visit the Governor’s Cup website.
About Carolina Marathon Association
The non-profit Carolina Marathon Association was formed locally in 1976. Its goals are to promote health and fitness; establish the Greater Columbia area as a nationally recognized center for running events, primarily long distance; promote the community and economic development by enhancing the Greater Columbia area’s reputation regionally and nationally; improve the public health by promoting appropriate physical activity; provide opportunities for participation of youth in health and fitness activities; position CMA to submit competitive bids for future championship and Olympic Trial events. For more information, visit carolinamarathon.org.
About Columbia Regional Sports Council
The mission of the Columbia Regional Sports Council is to strengthen the area’s economy by marketing and selling Columbia, S.C. as a premier destination for sporting events, partnering with local sports organizations to grow and develop existing events, and by recruiting new events that provide an economic benefit to the region by generating room nights, food and beverage sales, and associated tax revenues. For more information, visit columbiasportscouncil.com.
About Lexington Medical Center, Sponsor
Lexington Medical Center, in West Columbia, S.C., anchors a county-wide health care network that includes six community medical centers throughout Lexington County and employs a staff of 5,900 health care professionals. The network also includes comprehensive cardiovascular care, an occupational health center, the largest nursing home in the Carolinas and more than 60 Doctor’s Offices. At its heart is the 414-bed state-of-the-art Lexington Medical Center, with a reputation for the highest quality care. Lexington Medical Center won “Best Hospital” by readers of The State for ten years in a row, “Best Hospital” by readers of the Free Times, “Best Place to Have a Baby” by readers of Palmetto Parent, the “Consumer Choice Award” from the National Research Corporation and the prestigious “Summit Award” from Press Ganey for outstanding patient satisfaction. For more information, visit lexmed.com.
