Murfreesboro, TN - It took several days, but more than 100 volunteers continuously read the Bible from cover to cover at a Murfreesboro church.

Bible Pathway Ministries kicked off the Bible marathon on Sunday afternoon by beginning with reading from the first chapter of Genesis.

Event Coordinator Karen Hawkins told Nashville's News 2 the annual marathon draws in people of all ages, denominations and languages.

"We've had probably six languages read other than English," Hawkins said.

Click here for FULL STORY (and video) courtesy of WKRN Nashville News 2

Murfreesboro, TN – The sixth annual Murfreesboro Half Marathon (“The Middle Half”) and Murph’s Fun Run presented by Middle Tennessee Medical Center will be held Saturday, October 13, 2012.

The 13.1-mile race is scheduled to start at 7:00 a.m. with a wheelchair start at 6:55 a.m. Because the course runs by the geographic center of Tennessee, begins and ends at Middle Tennessee State University and is presented by Middle Tennessee Medical Center, it has been tagged “The Middle Half”.

“Last year the race sold out in just eleven days,” said Melinda Tate, race director. “This year registration will open a month later to allow participants more time to plan.”

Registration for The Middle Half begins June 1, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. Both online registration and mail-in forms will be available on the website. The registration fees per athlete are: June 1 – June 15: $55; June 16 – June 30: $65; beginning July 1, the fee increases to $75.

Children ages six to thirteen will have an opportunity to participate in Murph’s Fun Run which will begin immediately after the half marathon start.

An official Murfreesboro City Bicentennial event, the course  goes down scenic tree-lined Main Street and Maney Avenue to Oaklands Historic House Museum. Runners will circle the Rutherford County Courthouse on the Square, pass by by MTSU’s Fraternity Row and the obelisk on Old Lascassas, and then finish in the MTSU Dean Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium.

Sponsorships, volunteer and charity partnerships are available. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for details.

For more information, visit www.TheMiddleHalf.com.

"Murph,” the beloved bunny who lives in "Murphry's Burrow," will once again serve as spokesbunny for the Murfreesboro Half Marathon's Fun Run on October 15, now known as Murph’s Fun Run.

"I am so 'hoppy' to be the face of the Murfreesboro Fun Run again this year," Murph said. "I try to stay healthy and to let children know how important it is to eat right and get plenty of exercise.”

The 1-mile race is open to children ages 6-13 and will start immediately after the last runner crosses the starting line at The Murfreesboro Half Marathon, at approximately 7:10 a.m. Registration fee is $15 per child.

“The 1-mile fun run is not timed and you are only competing against yourself.  It does not matter if you trained or not, kids that are active can run one mile,” said Charles Apigian, Murph’s Fun Run race coordinator

New to this year’s Fun Run is the implementation of a wave start to ensure safety of all runners. The first wave is for ages 10-13, followed by runners ages 6-9.

Because this is a fun run, children can dress in wacky attire, whether it’s bunny ears, a frilly tutu or silly face paint. Be sure the attire is safe for running, though. The child with the most spirit will be given a special “Spirit Award.” All participants will receive a souvenir T-shirt and medal.

To add to safety precautions, volunteers will line the race course and medical personnel will be on hand as well.

The course begins in the Greenland Drive parking lot at MTSU, goes up and down a portion of Old Lascassas Highway and finishes on the track at MTSU's Dean Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium.

“Murph's Fun Run is more than just a run, it is a celebration of physical activity for our youth. Kids will receive the normal goodies that come with a race – popsicles, water and other healthy refreshments, and we also will have a fun area for all kids to play after they finish,” Apigian noted.

There will be inflatables, face painting, and balloon animals. And of course, children are encouraged to stick around and cheer on half-marathon finishers.

You can register online at www.themiddlehalf.com, and there is also a downloadable registration form which can be turned into Fleet Feet Sports, 544 N. Thompson Lane. Registration is also available on race day.

“Kids love running with other kids. That is why a fun run is such a great event.  It gives kids an opportunity get excited about exercise and good exercise habits that can last their whole life,” Apigian said.

The third annual Frosty Fun Run sponsored by Fleet Feet Sports will be held Saturday, December 10 at the Stones River Country Club. The four-mile race begins at 7:30 a.m. on the golf course, and all ages and abilities are encouraged to participate.

Proceeds from the Frosty Fun Run will benefit Rutherford County C.A.S.A. and Bob Parks Christmas for the Children.

"This is your chance to make a difference in the lives of Rutherford County kids and put a smile on their face on Christmas morning," said Kaley Forrest, Fleet Feet Sports race organizer. "There will be no timing chips or winners other than the children."

The fee to participate is $20 plus a new toy, or $30. On race day the fee is $35. Register by November 23 to be guaranteed a souvenir t-shirt. Waffles and hot coffee will be served after the race thanks to Waffle House.

Registration forms are available in Murfreesboro at Fleet Feet Sports, 544 N. Thompson Lane, or register online at NashvilleSports.com. Join us on facebook at Frosty Fun Run.

For more information, contact Kaley Forrest at (615) 494-3141.

The Light in the Night 5k is sure to be fun for all ages! Whether you run, walk, or crawl you are sure to enjoy the Chip timed Christmas race with all the post race festivities including FREE pizza for all runners and their families from Old Chicago Pizza, and one runner will win free Pizza from Old Chicago Pizza for a year just for running.

A special thanks to all our sponsors: Old Chicago Pizza, Fast Signs, Hob Nob Murfreesboro, Lanes Trains & Automobiles, McCrary Research, Smoothie King, and Great Harvest Bread.

Race proceeds to benefit AYD Ministries – All proceeds from the 5K to will help educate and provide basic necessities needed to support a group of rescued women and children in Bangkok, Thailand and allow for more to be rescued.

The Kid's Christmas Loop winner will win an all access pass good for FREE Bowling and Bumper Cars for a year at Lanes, Trains, and Automobiles.

WHEN:
Saturday, December 3^rd 5:00 p.m.

Registration for the 5th Annual Murfreesboro Half Marathon ("The Middle Half") begins Sunday, May 1 at 5:55 a.m.  To celebrate the fifth year, the race fee for the first five days of registration will be $50 before going up to $55 on May 6. The race is presented by Middle Tennessee Medical Center.

"Experienced runners like The Middle Half because the course is flat and fast," said Melinda Tate, race director. "This is also the perfect race for first-time runners before they try a larger race."

Selling out three out of the past four years, The Middle Half participation limit increased to 2,500, up over last year's sold out race of 2,250 participants. Last year, according to Running USA, U.S. half-marathons continued their upward trajectory with a phenomenal 24% growth rate, from approximately 1.1 million finishers in 2009 to nearly 1.4 million finishers in 2010, a record annual increase for the distance.

Registration also opens May 1 for Murph's Fun Run for kids 6 - 13. The race fee for the fun run is $15 per child and includes a t-shirt, medal and after-race snacks.

Runners may register online at www.TheMiddleHalf.com, or mail-in forms may be picked up at the following Murfreesboro locations: Fleet Feet Sports, Barfield Park, Patterson Community Center and SportsCom. The form may also be downloaded The Middle Half Web site.

The course is certified, and the race is officially sanctioned by USATF. The estimated elevation variation is only 41 feet, making the course flat and fast for the runners. The route goes down scenic tree-lined Main Street and Maney Avenue to Oaklands Historic House Museum. Runners will circle the Rutherford County Courthouse on the Square, pass by by MTSU’s Fraternity Row and the obelisk on Old Lascassas, and then finish at the MTSU Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium. A printable map is available online.

Runners have the option of running for a cause. This year, Special Kids, Alive Hospice, MTMC Foundation and Team Future ("The Biggest Loser") will all have teams raising funds for their cause.

Sponsors for The Middle Half include: The City of Murfreesboro, Murfreesboro Parks & Rec, Fleet Feet Sports, State Farm, Middle Tennessee State University, Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q, Purity Dairies, Little Guys Movers, Jason's Deli, CB&S Bank, Emerson Appliance Solutions, Karma Care, Newk's Express Café, Nissan, and The Worx Group. Media sponsors include The Daily News Journal, Hobnob Murfreesboro, The Murfreesboro Post, Murfreesboro Magazine, and WGNS Radio.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Murfreesboro Half Marathon, presented by Middle Tennessee Medical Center, has less than 400 spots available for the October 15, 2011 event.

Last year the race sold out 67 days prior to race day. The race is capped at 2500 participants, an increase of just over 10% from last year's total.

The fee for registration is $55 until May 31.

"With an average of 50 people signing up each for the past few days, we expect to sell out within a week," said Melinda Tate, race director. "This would be the fastest sellout of the race since it began five years ago."

The course is certified, and the race is officially sanctioned by USATF. The estimated elevation variation is only 41 feet, making the course flat and fast for the runners. The route goes down scenic tree-lined Main Street and Maney Avenue to Oaklands Historic House Museum. Runners will circle the Rutherford County Courthouse on the Square, pass by by MTSU’s Fraternity Row and the obelisk on Old Lascassas, and then finish at the MTSU Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium. A printable map is available online.

Middle Tennessee Medical Center is the presenting sponsor of the event. The City of Murfreesboro, Murfreesboro Parks & Recreation, Fleet Feet Sports, Middle Tennessee State University, State Farm, Jim N Nick’s Bar-B-Cue, CB&S Bank, Purity Dairies, State Farm, The WORX Group, Newk’s Express Café, Nissan, Jason’s Deli, Little Guys Movers, Emerson Heating Products and Karma Care are major sponsors. The Daily News Journal, The Murfreesboro Post, Murfreesboro Magazine, Hobnob Murfreesboro and WGNS are media sponsors of the race. Charity partners with fund raising teams are Special Kids, Inc., Alive Hospice, Lions Strides for Diabetes Awareness and MTMC Foundation.

Medical professionals usually fall into the category of people with incredibly busy lifestyles. Treating patients, researching new medical developments, and diagnosing various situations on the spot can add up to be very demanding work. But keeping up with Dr. Showalter of Middle Tennessee Medical Center is even harder when he’s out of the office.

After winning the Master division of the Tom King 5k in Nashville, Dr. Patrick Showalter established himself as one of the fastest men over 40 in Middle Tennessee. The MTMC Urologist has also completed the Boston Marathon and various half marathons and 5k’s around the country.

Dr. Showalter has been running ever since taking the President’s Physical fitness test in School. As one of the smaller guys, he found it difficult to excel in the more popular High school sports like Football and Baseball. But running was right up his alley. In the last few years Patrick’s times include a 2:47:32 marathon, 1:18:52 half-marathon, and 17:45 5k.

While running had played a large role in his life growing up, Dr. Showalter never thought he’d end up as a Urologist. He had always been successful in math and sciences, and being raised as a Mennonite he knew that he wanted to use his gifts to help people. In college, young Showalter decided to go to medical school to become a family physician or internist. But the doctor soon learned that he wanted to be more hands on with his patients, and Urology offered him the best of both worlds.  Now Dr. Showalter serves as a board-certified urologist at Middle Tennessee Medical Center, right here in Murfreesboro.

While Dr. Showalter is putting up impressive times on the course, he is also helping hundreds of patients each year. Dr. Showalter treats everything from kidney stones to prostate cancer. He was the first to perform Laparoscopic Nephrectomy at MTMC, and along with Urologist Dr. Chad Jackson he became one of the first physicians to perform robotic surgery to treat Prostate Cancer with the DaVinci Surgical System in Rutherford County. In 2008 Dr. Showalter was named Middle Tennessee Medical Center’s Physician of the year.

Dr. Showalter still says that he has trouble getting out of bed to run every morning, but satisfying those personal race goals makes it all worthwhile. The only thing that gives him more satisfaction than finishing a race is helping a patient, and that is why he has became one of most respected doctors in Middle Tennessee.

Dr. Showalter is part of the Middle Tennessee Urology Specialists, located at 1747 Medical Center Pkwy, suite 210.

For more information on the great Physicians at MTMC visit:www.mtmc.org

WHAT: Senator Jim Tracy will run the Country Music ½ Marathon on April 30 in honor of a child receiving services at local nonprofit, Special Kids, in Murfreesboro. Senator Tracy will run the 13.1 miles for a precious 4 year-old named Carissa and will fundraise to help children like Carissa continue receiving nursing and rehabilitation services. On Thursday, February 17, Tracy will meet his child partner, Carissa, for the first time at the Special Kids therapy facility. (Representative Rick Womick will also run the Country Music ½ Marathon in honor of Special Kids child partner, Austin, but will not be at the Special Kids facility on Thursday.)

WHO: Senator Jim Tracy and his Special Kids child partner, Carissa

WHEN: Thursday, February 17 at 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Special Kids, Inc. located at 202 Arnette Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37130

Special Kids is a Christian-based therapeutic rehabilitation and professional nursing services facility in Middle Tennessee, providing medical and rehabilitative services for children with special needs. Since 1998, Special Kids has served more than 2,000 families in 11 counties. For more information on Special Kids, please visit specialkidstn.com or call 615.893.4892.

Murfreesboro, TN - Team Athletes for Special Kids (ASK) invites runners and walkers to join the athletic training group for the Country Music Marathon & ½ on Saturday, April 30, in Nashville.

Team ASK is an athletic training program that provides funding for the work of Special Kids, a local nonprofit serving children with special needs. The team allows members to complete endurance events with the support of a training program, personalized coaching, and child partner from Special Kids.

“Team ASK gives the community a chance to become healthy for a great cause,” said Sharon Perry, Director of Team A.S.K. “The benefits are twofold- becoming an athlete for Special Kids provides motivation to train and draws attention to the services provided at Special Kids.”

Training for the Country Music Marathon & ½ is underway. To join Team ASK and make a difference in the lives of children with special needs, visit www.teamask.org or call 615.893.4892.

Special Kids is a Christian-based therapeutic rehabilitation and professional nursing services facility in Middle Tennessee, providing medical and rehabilitative services for children with special needs. Since 1998, Special Kids has served more than 2,000 families in 11 counties. For more information on Special Kids, please visit specialkidstn.com or call 615.893.4892.