Last updated: March 3, 2021

Latonka Marathon
Formerly NOTSOB Marathon / Boston Fever Reliever

Runner's High is pleased to "OFFICIALLY" announce the Latonka Marathon.

In September of 2020, we hosted this event as a venue for the Boston Marathon Virtual Experience. It was well-received by the community and the participants. Fifty percent of the finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon, ranking it among the highest percentages in the country. With the 2021 Pittsburgh Marathon going virtual, we are announcing this event to be run on the originally scheduled date of this year's Pittsburgh Marathon (Sunday, May 2).

The event is not specifically endorsed, supported by, or in partnership with P3R or the Pittsburgh Marathon. We are offering this event as a venue for the Pittsburgh Marathon entrants to compete and complete an actual marathon with the camaraderie of others with the same goal. Since Pittsburgh was not able to host their in-person event on May 2nd, they are not open to advertising for other venues the same week-end. So, don't expect any mention of our event in their literature.

Registration is now open for any participant. No restrictions on being registered for the Pittsburgh Marathon

The field will be limited to a strict maximum of 100 runners. (Lake Latonka's decision). Spread the word to your running buddies and be ready to register at the opening bell.

Lake Latonka, a private community about 5 miles north of Mercer, PA
Near the intersection of I-79 and I-80 in Western PA
One hour north of Pgh, PA and one hour south of Erie, PA
GPS Address of start: 420 Latonka Drive, Mercer, PA 16137

Once you get off I-79 (exit 121 Mercer / Rt 62) , it will take an additional 10 minutes to get to the actual venue.. When you enter the community (no need to stop at the guard shack unless it is occupied by staff), you'll proceed to a "T". The lake is in front of you. Take a right and proceed almost 2 miles to the community center on your left. Look for the flag poles and large gazebo.

Lisa Levin Reichmann and Julie Sapper, from the Gaithersburg, MD area produce a podcast called "Run Farther and Faster". Lisa ran in the 2020 version of this race and spoke so highly of it that they produced a podcast on it after the race. Tune in and get a runner's perspective of the Boston Fever Reliever.

https://anchor.fm/runfartherandfaster/episodes/When-You-Cant-Run-Boston--You-Run-Lake-Latonka-Lisas-Recap-of-Her-Real-Marathon-on-Sunday-ejkhfk

PACKET PICKUP
Entrants with accommodations at Candlewood Suites in Grove City will have their packets delivered there on Saturday.
Packet pick-up will open at 6am on the morning of the race at the Gazebo (start/finish area)
Packet will include bib (with timing chip attached to back), pins, shirt, Euro-sticker
Finisher medallions will be distributed at the finish line.

COURSE
The course is certified by USATF as an official Boston Qualifier PA20009NP. The window of qualification has not been announced yet by the BAA for the 2021 or 2022 events.

Course consists of five loops (5.2 miles each) on lightly traveled roads of this private community

Includes about 0.4 miles of paved bike path on each loop. (no vehicles allowed)
Less than 100' of elevation change from highest point to lowest point. The only hill is coming out of the dip on the bike path at mile 3 of the loop. On the 5th lap (mile 24), it will seem like "Heartbreak Hill"

The course is NOT closed to traffic. However, the roads are lightly traveled by the residents of the community. You'll likely see numerous golf carts and bicyclists on the course.

Run facing traffic on the left side of the road at all times. Even though there are several small "S" turns on the loop, please do not cross the center line. Be courteous to our hosts, and please don't litter.

CREW / SPECTATORS
We request a maximum of TWO spectators / crew members per entrant.
Must keep socially distant in all staging areas from other spectators / crew members
Masks required by all crew members and spectators.

No vehicular traffic by spectators or "crew members"
Bicycles are permitted, but no extended pacing or interfering with community traffic.
A good place to set up is in the shaded area of the bike path where we'll have a water station, music and more.

HYDRATION AND RESTROOMS
Restrooms behind Duke and Lola's concession stand in parking lot of Community Center
Portable restroom near the dam in parking lot just before entering bike trail (Mile 2.8 of each loop)
Water Station on the bike trail of each loop at mile 3 (+/-)
Water Station at the end of each loop as you pass by the Community Center
Water bottles will be provided at the finish.
Trash cans located about 50 yards after each water station.
Please do not litter.

MASKS
Your entry fee includes a custom printed reusable mask as a unique souvenir.
Masks must be worn prior to the start of the race and after crossing the finish line.
Masks may be removed while running, eating and/or drinking
Do not discard masks on the course.
Long Sleeved hooded t- shirts to all registered runners.

STARTING LINE PROCEDURES:
We anticipate a single mass start. Please maintain social distancing prior to the start.
Additional details to be announced.

All registrants will receive a souvenir mask and a long sleeved hooded t-shirt.
All finishers receive a laser engraved wooden coaster

Top 3 male and top 3 female finishers;
Top Masters male and female finishers
No age group awards.

Timing and Scoring by Runner's High
RaceResult Timing Technology
Timing Chip is attached to the back of the race bib. (Do not remove or damage.)
Wear race number on the front. Must be visible at all times.

We anticipate electronic timing points at each mile of the loop (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5.25)
We provided over 30 splits for each participant in our 2020 event (A possible record for any marathon).

Results posted at: runhigh.com

Refreshments will be provided at the finish line.
No formal awards ceremony.
Please maintain social distancing.

A variety of lodging facilities are located at the Grove City exit of I-79 (Mile Marker 113), adjacent to the Premium Outlets.

CANDLEWOOD SUITES is the OFFICIAL HOST HOTEL.
$99.00 (per room, per night, plus 11% tax).
Extended stay hotel with a full kitchen in every room.
Pet friendly. No breakfast.
Free Shuttle Service to the race from the hotel.
Late check out 2:00pm, if requested at check-in.
Call Direct: 724-748-6900. Ask for the " Latonka Marathon" Rate
Must book rooms by 4/25/21 to guarantee rates and availability
Race packets for guests, including shirts, bibs, etc, will be delivered to Hotel on Sat afternoon. No need to check in at the race on Sun am.

Easy Booking Link for Latonka Marathon Room Block
Group Code: LLM
www.candlewoodsuites.com/redirect?path=hd&brandCode=CW&localeCode=en®ionCode=1&hotelCode=PITGC&_PMID=99801505&GPC=LLM&cn=no&viewfullsite=true

Note: once you enter the dates and choose your room type, the code for our rate (LM) will automatically pop up.

Other nearby Hotels
Holiday Inn Express 724 748-5514
Best Western Hotel 724 748-5836
Town Place Suites 724 748-6322
Hampton Inn 724 748-5744


Numerous restaurants are located in the same area
My Brothers Place (generous pasta portions)
Primanti Brothers
Timber Creek Grill and Brewery
Black Out Burger
Fat Eddy's Barbecue
Hoss's Steakhouse

Others within a 10 minute drive of the Outlets
Rachel's Roadhouse
Iron Bridge Inn

No one knows what the future of road racing holds. Security at mass events changed with 911 and with the Boston Bombing incident in 2013. We have learned to deal with and respect that. We anticipate that road racing will not return to Pre 2020 standards for quite some time. This too, must be dealt with and respected.

We aim to provide an enjoyable, healthy and safe event. However, when dealing with people, it can be challenging. Anyone registering for and attending this event must realize that he or she must be held accountable for his or her actions and reactions. We must be responsible and abide by restrictions set by our staff, community and government.

If you feel that the health risk of attending this race is greater than the anticipated benefit, we request that you do not register for this event. If state mandated guidelines change before race day to the extent that the event must be cancelled, your entry fee will not be refunded for any reason. We have significant expenses coming into the event, and runners must realize that it is a risk that they must take when registering. The entry limit is expected to fill in a relatively short period of time, so don’t gamble too long in delaying to register.

Please be cognizant that some things just may be out of our control.

For event-related questions, please click on the Contact the Organizers button on the left-hand side of this page.