Area Sports by Michael Dashiell

With more than 2,000 runners and walkers expected for the North Olympic Discovery Marathon, Sequim-area residents can expect some changes to their daily driving routes on June 8.

Parking on much of the north side of Washington Street will be closed that morning and several roads will have traffic revisions as hundreds of marathoners and half-marathoners compete in the sixth-annual road race.

Course organizer Larry Little urges residents to have patience with the runners as they race and to enjoy the spectacle of a marathon.

"On the day of the race, those of you who live along the course, have a business along the course or attend a church located along the course will have front row seats of this fun event; please come out and cheer for the runners," Little said. "The race, of course, will impact the area for a brief time. Please consider rerouting your way to church or work. We also ask that you use caution when driving if you will be traveling near the race course."

The full-course marathon begins at 9 a.m. at Carrie Blake Park and runs a loop to the east toward Keeler Road, along West Sequim Bay Road, through the park again and, at about 9:25 a.m., along West Washington Street.

"We anticipate that all runners will be through downtown by 10:30 a.m.," Little wrote.

Half-marathoners predominantly stay off main roads by utilizing the Olympic Discovery Trail from Agnew into Port Angeles. That running mass may cause some delay for neighbors near North Barr Road between 8:30-9:30 a.m.

"Our organizers think it's pretty neat to run a marathon and half- marathon from one town to its neighboring town," Little said. "We designed the course to not just use the Olympic Discovery Trail, but to show off our great small towns. It is a great opportunity to show off the Olympic Peninsula. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience as well as our gratitude for your positive support. The city of Sequim has been great. Let's show our visitors a warm welcome and hope they spread the word."

For a view of the marathon and half-marathon courses, see www.nodm.com/pages/Course2.htm.