Run the Line half-marathon for 2021 canceled because of virus concerns
TEXARKANA —The Run the Line half-marathon set for Feb.21 has been canceled due to COVID19 concerns.
“We had to debate, as a board, what the right thing to do was. Almost 70% of our runners come from out of town and that was a concern. We just felt we could not provide adequate care. It was a hard decision,” said race director Julie-Ray Harrison.
Organizers hope to hold the race in mid-February 2022, Harrison said.
“This was going to be our 14th year, and it seems to be steadily growing,” Harrison said. “We have had wonderful community support and that has enabled us to put on a really good race.”
She said COVID combined with the seasonal flu season presented too many unknowns.
“It’s just best for participants and the community, it’s best for everyone,” Harrison said.
Runners from all over the country have participated in Run the Line because of the unique location. The course goes through both cities of Texarkana with a short portion of the race on the Arkansas/Texas state line. The race is primarily on asphalt and also includes the Nix Creek Trail, and the Phillip McDougal Trail in Spring Lake Park.
At the last race in February of 2020, the race hit an all time high of close to 800 registered runners.
Run the Line Half Marathon was founded in 2006 as a fundraiser for Partnership for the Pathway, an all-volunteer non-profit organization committed to helping the cities build a safe walking and bicycling trail system throughout Texarkana.