By Desiree Cross
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media
The Midway Business Association accepted the Iron Horse Half Marathon’s offer Wednesday to move the race up about a month and make it part of the Midway Fall Festival Sept. 21-22.
The race is owned and operated by John’s Run/Walk Shop in Lexington. It has donated part of the proceeds to the city of Midway, the Midway Area Ministerial Association and the Versailles Police Department, which patrols Midway.
Zach Beavin and Riley Marshall, representing the race, said the change would bring more traffic to the race and festival, and allow cost-sharing for things such as entertainment and porta-potties.
One area of concern for the association was parking. The festival and the race have used Chip Guillot's Southern Equine Farm for parking in the past, and plan on doing the same for the coming year. They hope that by having the race on Sunday, the slower day for the festival, it will work out.
Mayor Grayson Vandegrift had positive feedback on the idea: “It’s your all’s decision, but I think it’s worth trying. . . . Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe Chip parked like thirteen hundred cars on Saturday but only like three hundred on Sunday, so I think we have the capacity there.”
2019 will be the Iron Horse’s 10th year. The race has begun at 8 a.m. but with the earlier date will be moved up to 7 a.m. The race has agreed to provide additional porta-potties and live music until 10 a.m.
Thematic entrance for city: MBA Secretary Steve Morgan said Helen Rentch is planning on talking to the city about donating a small tract at the corner of Midway Road (US 62) and Leestown Road (US 421). It is a triangle formed by the two roads and a small creek.
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media
The Midway Business Association accepted the Iron Horse Half Marathon’s offer Wednesday to move the race up about a month and make it part of the Midway Fall Festival Sept. 21-22.
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| Runner's World magazine on the race |
Zach Beavin and Riley Marshall, representing the race, said the change would bring more traffic to the race and festival, and allow cost-sharing for things such as entertainment and porta-potties.
One area of concern for the association was parking. The festival and the race have used Chip Guillot's Southern Equine Farm for parking in the past, and plan on doing the same for the coming year. They hope that by having the race on Sunday, the slower day for the festival, it will work out.
Mayor Grayson Vandegrift had positive feedback on the idea: “It’s your all’s decision, but I think it’s worth trying. . . . Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe Chip parked like thirteen hundred cars on Saturday but only like three hundred on Sunday, so I think we have the capacity there.”
2019 will be the Iron Horse’s 10th year. The race has begun at 8 a.m. but with the earlier date will be moved up to 7 a.m. The race has agreed to provide additional porta-potties and live music until 10 a.m.
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| This corner could become the site of a thematic entrance to Midway, highlighting its railroad heritage. |
Morgan said Cynthia Bohn of Equus Run Vineyards has been in touch with RJ Corman Railroad Co., which is willing to place train equipment on the site as a thematic entrance to Midway, which advertises itself as Kentucky’s first railroad town.
Rentch told the Messenger that she is also interested in promoting Midway as a key spot on a trail that would run from Frankfort to Lexington.
Advertising: Elisha Holt, the hired marketer for the MBA, gave an update on the holiday advertising and assured the association, “It’s going beautifully.”
Holt also reported on the website, www.uniquelywoodford.com, intended to be a collective site for the whole county. She said the county’s Falling Springs Center has agreed to pay to have signage put throughout its building and be a bronze sponsor for the site.
Rentch told the Messenger that she is also interested in promoting Midway as a key spot on a trail that would run from Frankfort to Lexington.
Advertising: Elisha Holt, the hired marketer for the MBA, gave an update on the holiday advertising and assured the association, “It’s going beautifully.”
Holt also reported on the website, www.uniquelywoodford.com, intended to be a collective site for the whole county. She said the county’s Falling Springs Center has agreed to pay to have signage put throughout its building and be a bronze sponsor for the site.
She said the tourism commission is working on a sponsorship as well, but she has to guarantee them that their dollars will be spent outside of the county so they can be partially reimbursed by the state.
Midway projects: Boxes for Toys for Tots are placed and at their select locations for the holidays. Morgan said about six boxes of toys are already in storage.
Leadership: The nominating committee nominated officers for the new year: Leslie Penn to remain treasurer, Katie Hicks to become secretary, Steve Morgan to become vice president and Steve Simoff to become president. The election will be held at the final meeting of the year on Dec. 5.
Midway projects: Boxes for Toys for Tots are placed and at their select locations for the holidays. Morgan said about six boxes of toys are already in storage.
Leadership: The nominating committee nominated officers for the new year: Leslie Penn to remain treasurer, Katie Hicks to become secretary, Steve Morgan to become vice president and Steve Simoff to become president. The election will be held at the final meeting of the year on Dec. 5.
President Peggy Angel, who is hanging up her presidential cap due to health issues, told the group. “I would like to stay actively involved and hopefully bring some positive things to the table if you all will let me.”
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