The Middle Half Marathon Marks Its First Year in Murfreesboro
first year, murfreesboro, recreation, runners, rutherford county half marathon, tate family of murfreesboro, the middle half,
The Tate family of Murfreesboro are passionate about running, so it makes sense that they were the force behind The Middle Half, Rutherford County’s half marathon that kicked off its first year in 2007.
“My husband, Miles, runs marathons, and our daughter, Natalie, does too. We thought this area needed a half marathon in the fall,” says Melinda Tate, president of the board of directors for The Middle Half. “We met with Parks and Recreation in March and found out they had been wanting to do one too, but didn’t have anyone to spearhead it.”
The Tates stepped up to the plate, and in just six months they were able to organize the first marathon, which was held in September. Middle Tennessee State University, the city of Murfreesboro and Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation helped make it a reality.
“When we opened up registration, it sold out in just 30 days. We had 1,000 runners registered,” Tate says. “We were thrilled because it showed there was a need and a want for it in this area.”
The Middle Half covered 13.1 miles, starting and ending at MTSU and winding through some of Murfreesboro’s most scenic areas, including tree-lined Main Street and the Rutherford County Courthouse, Old Lascassas Highway, Maney Avenue and the historic Oaklands Mansion, and MTSU’s fraternity row.
“We had a lot of community support,” Tate says. “Businesses and groups sponsored water stations, Middle Tennessee Medical Center provided medical attention, the fire station set up a hose people could run through and restaurants donated food at the end.”
Runners from 16 different states ran the race, and local charities were invited to use the race as a fundraising opportunity by organizing teams.
“Special Kids had 40 runners and raised $40,000,” Tate says. “The Governor’s Books from Birth program also had a team and raised money.”
For information on the 2008 marathon, visit www.themiddlehalf.com.
Story by Jessica Mozo
Photo by The Murfreesboro Post/Kelly Hite
