Ogden Marathon

OGDEN — Every Ogden Marathon has a story. The 13th version of the popular race is here, and should present a wonderful tale on and off the race course.

OGDEN — The Zions Bank Ogden Marathon is set for Saturday, but things will be a little different this year in light of the tragic events that took place in Boston last month.

Jenny Scothern, executive director of Ogden’s GOAL Foundation, said security will be beefed up, and marathon organizers have spent much of the past month developing and expanding details of a contingency plan in the event of an emergency at the Ogden race.

“We’re working very closely with all of our local law enforcement and emergency responders,” she said. “Most of the things we are doing are behind the scenes, but we’re taking every action to be prepared.”

One of the actions that won’t be behind the scenes is a new text-only emergency line available to the public. In case of an emergency during the marathon, the public can text details to 801-940-6530 for help.

OGDEN — Increased police patrols and security sweeps may be implemented for the Ogden Marathon on May 18 as a result of Monday’s deadly bombing at the famed Boston Marathon.

Kevin Burns, chairman of the GOAL Foundation, which is hosting the Ogden Marathon, will meet first with Ogden police on Thursday and later with Weber County Sheriff’s Office and Utah Highway Patrol officials about additional security for the event.

“Increased personnel and increased operations are what we will look at,” Burns, a lieutenant with the sheriff’s office, said Tuesday.

OGDEN — Representatives from Ogden’s Get Out and Live Foundation are on high alert after two explosions occurred near the finish line at the Boston Marathon on Monday.

The GOAL Foundation coordinates high-profile Ogden outdoor events, including the Zions Bank Ogden Marathon, which serves as a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon.

Jenny Scothern, executive director of the GOAL Foundation, said she watched news of the marathon with a heavy heart and a worried mind.

OGDEN — Participants in the 2013 Zions Bank Ogden Marathon and half marathon will only have to race once, and it won’t be to register. The GOAL Foundation puts on the marathon, and for 2013, they are instituting a lottery system that promises to give more than just those with high-speed internet a chance to register for the highly popular race.

For a $5 nonrefundable fee, hopeful participants can register for the lottery beginning 9 a.m. today at www.ogdenmarathon.com through 11:59 p.m. Oct. 21. Selected applicants will be notified by email on Nov. 1 and will have until Nov. 15 to register.

“Last year our half marathon sold out in two hours and the full marathon sold out in three days,” said Jenny Scothern, GOAL Foundation director. She said that as the demand to run the race increased, GOAL saw a need to give more people a chance and began researching how to best facilitate more than 9,000 people registering for the race.