Highlighting the 2010 event will be a new course as the event has outgrown the scenic running/biking trail traversing through the community last year. The events – a Half Marathon, 5K and 1Mile Fun Run/Walk - will again start and finish at the riverfront Council Bluffs Harrah’s Casino.

Course Description: Council Bluffs Half Marathon

Start: On Harrah’s Blvd. East of Harrah’s South Parking Lot and near Westwood Golf Course Clubhouse. Proceed East on Harrah’s, crossing S. 37th Ave, passing under I-29 and continuing E on 9th Ave to S 35th St. Turn S on S 35th and continue S. Once 35th St begins divided, all participants will continue on the West then the South side of Divided Road, using both lanes. Continue S on 35th Past Nebraska Ave, Gradually turning to the S.E. as S. 35th turns E it becomes 23rd Ave. Continue E on 23rd Ave., using one lane on the S side of the road. Continue E crossing S 24th St, and proceeding to Indian Creek Trail, just E of S 15th St. Turn S on Indian Creek trail and proceed S, crossing under Hwy. 92-275. Entrants will turn sharply left after crossing under bridge, turning N towards the Highway, then turn to the E using the trail on the S side of Hwy 92-275. Proceed E on this trail to S. 11th St. Turn S onto S 11th St, towards Lake Manawa State Park. Turn S onto W Shore Dr, proceeding S to the S.W. corner of the Lake. Entrants will turn sharply to the W, Using an unpaved access trail from Shore Dr W to Indian Creek Trail. Turn N on Indian Creek Trail. Continue N on Indian Creek Trail. Pass under Hwy. 92-275 and turn sharply Left, then turn S toward the Hwy. Turn to the W and proceed on the trail on the N side of Hwy 92-275 turning to the N on the E side of S 24th St. Continue N on the Trail to Richard Downing Ave. Participants will cross S 24th and continue W. on Richard Downing using part of the North Lane (coned for runners only). Continue W on R. Downing to gated access to Western Trails Center. Participants will then proceed W onto the Trail that passes over the Levee and continue W and NW on Riverfront trail, passing under the I-80 Bridge. Once leaving the trail, Participants will run on the W side of River Road, using the shoulder marked as Bike Trail. Continue N on River Road Trail to Nebraska Ave. Participants will then stay on the trail on the W side passing in front of Ameristar Casino and Cross the entrance road to the Casino diagonally to gain access to the Riverfront Trail. Continue N on the Riverfront Trail. Participants will proceed to the S.W. corner of Harrah’s parking Garage, and proceed through the lower level of the Garage, exiting from the Garage to the Finish Line, located in the parking lot between The Riverboat Casino and Stir Concert Cove.

This year’s Packet Pickup will move to Harrah’s from 11am – 5pm on Saturday, May 22 and will also feature a Runner’s Expo/Health Fair. Half Marathon participants will receive a high-quality “tech shirt” and “finisher’s medal”. An attractive race shirts will go to all 5K and Fun Run participants with the event welcoming all abilities and ages with walkers, strollers and head phones welcomed along with runners vying for nearly 150 awards. There will also be music throughout the course, finish line refreshments and a “Live Band” performing at the Finish Line Party and Celebration!

The Council Bluff Half Marathon is part of the nationwide, multi-city USRA Half Marathon Series targeting mid-sized markets. At least 10 cities are already committed and organizers anticipate as many as 15 or more will make up the 2010 Tour. Other USRA Series events include Columbia SC (February 27), Walmart Bentonville (AR) Half Marathon March 13; Lexington KY (March 28), Mt Pleasant WI (Racine) (April 10), Worcester MA (June 6); Joplin MO (October 10), Purdue (West Lafayette IN) (October 24), Lancaster PA (October 31) and Clarksville TN (November 6).

The City of Council Bluffs, Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Daily Nonpareil and Harrah’s along with Reinke Sports Group will be rolling out the “red carpet”, so don’t delay in registering and telling your friends and fellow runners and walkers about the 2nd annual Council Bluffs Half Marathon Weekend May 22-23, 2010 – its “Where the Runners Come First”!

Start: On Harrah’s Blvd. East of Harrah’s South Parking Lot and Westwood Golf Course Clubhouse. Proceed East on Harrah’s, crossing S 37th Ave, passing under I-29 and continuing E on 9th Ave to S 35th St. Turn S on S 35th and continue S. Once 35th St begins divided, all participants will continue on the S side of Divided Road, using both lanes. Continue S on 35th Past Nebraska Ave, Gradually turning to the S.E. as S. 35th turns E. Turnaround for the 5K will be near 23rd Ave and Mid-America Drive. 5K participants will turn back to the N using the Southern most of the 2 lanes. Participants will turn W at Nebraska Avenue, using the large paved median on the S side of Nebraska Ave. Proceed W on Nebraska Ave, passing under I-29, and continue to River Road. Cross the intersection and continue N on the Trail on the W side of the intersection past Ameristar Casino. Cross the entrance road to the Casino diagonally to gain access to the Riverfront Trail. Continue N on the Riverfront Trail. Participants will proceed to the S.W. corner of Harrah’s parking Garage, and proceed through the lower level of the Garage, exiting from the Garage to the Finish Line, located in the parking lot between The Riverboat Casino and Stir Concert Cove.