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Organizer pitches Sept. 12 Sunbury Marathon; staff flag safety and permit steps
Summary
John Pratt presented a proposal for a Sunbury Marathon on Sept. 12 featuring a full marathon (Boston‑qualifier), half marathon, 10K and 1‑mile race. City staff said public‑safety agencies raised a tent-size and permitting issue and will continue interagency coordination before returning next month.
John Pratt, who said he works in Sunbury and lives in nearby Cardington, told the Events and Commemorations Committee on Feb. 17 that he hopes to stage a Sunbury Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 12, including a full marathon, half marathon, 10K and a 1‑mile race.
"My name is John Pratt, and it's a pleasure to be here with you all this evening," Pratt said, explaining the event is intended to build community and attract regional runners. He told the committee that "the marathon would be a Boston qualifier, so we'll get it, certified, sanctioned, and insured through USA Track and Field."
City staff reviewed the proposed route (packet, page 17) and said the plan would use the Square as a gathering hub while starting the race in front of JR Smith Park so organizers could control traffic more easily. Staff noted the majority of the planned course runs on trails outside the downtown street grid and that the route extends beyond Sunbury city limits.
Staff identified several needed steps before any approval: engaging Knox and Delaware county parks and engineering departments, contacting county sheriff offices for special‑duty details, and involving ODOT where the course crosses state routes. Officials estimated roughly 500 participants for a first year but said that figure is provisional.
On public‑safety readiness, staff said they had reached out to police, fire and EMS and received conditional feedback: EMS indicated it could support the event with sufficient lead time, while the fire department raised a concern about the size of one tent. "We're not asking the events committee to approve it this evening," staff said, adding the city will continue to work with public‑safety partners and return next month with updates.
Committee members asked about logistics including parking on Cherry and Walnut streets, traffic control options (flaggers, one‑way lane use or limited closures) and whether the event would donate proceeds; Pratt said he hopes to donate 10 percent and mentioned Saint John's Church as a possible beneficiary but that a final charity had not been selected.
The committee did not take formal action on the marathon; staff said they will continue interagency coordination and bring a status update to the committee at the next meeting.
