More than 3,300 runners expected to participate at the Bass Pro Shops Conservation Marathon

Weekend includes races for every fitness level and
more than 50 health and wellness focused vendors

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Thousands are expected to “run for conservation” in Springfield as part of the eleventh annual Bass Pro Shops Expo and Marathon Weekend in what has become one of the premier annual fitness events in the Ozarks. The activities kick off with a free health and wellness expo on Friday, November 3 and Saturday, November 4. The expo is open to the public and features more than 50 vendors. Marathon Weekend races, ranging from a full marathon to the News-Leader 5K, begin and end at the flagship Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Springfield, Missouri, located at the intersection of Sunshine and Campbell.

“We’re expecting more than 9,000 people to visit the expo and take part in the race events this year,” said Martin Mac Donald, chairman of the Fitness Series and Bass Pro Shops director of conservation. “Between the marathon, the half marathon, the marathon relay and the 5K, runners will cover more than 42 miles in Springfield.”

This year the Bass Pro Shops Marathon Weekend is attracting participants from 40 states ranging in age from 8 to 92. In addition, more than one thousand Springfield area volunteers will be on hand to help the event run smoothly, an effort coordinated by Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks.

Returning this year is the Neighborhood Challenge featuring ten neighborhood associations cheering on runners and providing water and nutrition during the event. Each participating neighborhood has a different theme including Route 66, 1950s, fishing, golfing and outdoor life in the Ozarks.

This year marks the 11th anniversary of the Fitness Series, which began when various local races came together under a unified umbrella. Bass Pro Shops continues to strongly support and organize the series as part of the company’s commitment to conservation and community initiatives.

The Bass Pro Shops Fitness Series celebrates health and wellness, outdoor adventure and wildlife conservation in the beauty of the Ozarks with programs designed to offer activities for people of all ages, backgrounds, fitness levels and areas of interest. Ozark Greenways, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, The Dogwood Canyon Foundation and Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium share proceeds from the events.

Event Details

Running events begin on Sunday, November 5. Participants can choose from the following events:

Bass Pro Shops Conservation Marathon – 7 m.
Cohick Half Marathon – 7 m.
Mercy Sunshine Marathon Relay – 7 m.
News-Leader 5K – 7:15 m.

Packet pick-up and late registration will take place in the White River Conference Center during the following times:

Friday, November 3, 1 p.m. to 7 m.
Saturday, November 4, 10 a.m. to 5 m.
Sunday, November 5 from 6 m. to 6:45 a.m. 5K ONLY; no other race will be allowed to pick up packets on Sunday.

Onsite parking will be offered in and around Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World including in front of the main entrance off Campbell and to the south in the Cherokee parking lot. Additional parking is available in the far west parking lot by the Bank of America. Campbell Street will be blocked off so spectators can see the racing action at the starting line and finish line, which will be located near Bass Pro Shops and the White River Conference Center. Visit this link for race route: http://bassprocorp.com/BPS/Userfiles/56/file/BP_racemap_2016_rev_10-26-16.pdf.

Full information and details can be found at http://fitness.basspro.com.

About Bass Pro Shops®

Bass Pro Shops is a leading destination retailer offering outdoor gear and apparel in an immersive setting. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today 100 retail and marine centers host 120 million people annually. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is known as a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers.”