Levelland plays host to NJCAA Half-Marathon Saturday, Nov. 17

LEVELLAND – South Plains College and the City of Levelland will be hosting a major event this weekend when approximately 250 NJCAA athletes from across the country come into town to compete in the NJCAA Half-Marathon Championships scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 17.

Community races of 10,000-meters, 1- and 2-miles are also available.  All races will begin and end at the Mallet Event Center located south of Levelland on US Highway 385. 

NJCAA athletes running in the half-marathon and community contestants in the 10,000-meter race will run from the Mallet Center, through the South Plains College campus and downtown.  Please be aware that downtown roads from 13th street to Ave H will be closed from approximately 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.  Volunteers will be manning numerous intersections in town and will hold traffic throughout the races to allow runners to cross.  Drivers are asked to exercise extreme caution.

A map of the half-marathon race route will appear in the Wednesday edition of the Levelland News-Press.

Members of the community who would like to participate in any of the three community runs (10K, 1-mile, 2-mile) may still enter by calling 806-716-2209 or by visiting the South Plains College athletic website of www.spctexans.com.

The race should be very memorable for all participants as bands and music stations will be set up around the course to add excitement.  Some local cheerleading groups have agreed to help cheer on the participants and others are welcome to participate.

The 'Touring Ensemble' and 'Mousse Abuse,' from South Plains College's renowned Creative Arts department will be playing during the event as the 'Touring Ensemble' will be at the Mallet Center and 'Mousse Abuse' will be performing downtown.  KLVT 1230 AM will also set up a music station at the Levelland Chamber of Commerce along with the Ropesville cheerleading squad.

"It is our hope that the participating athletes have a great time with this event," said SPC athletic director Joe Tubb.  "We want to make this an event they will remember for years to come."

Title sponsor Covenant Hospital of Levelland along with United Supermarket, First Baptist Church of Levelland, and TriCare have teamed up to help make this event possible.  

At the conclusion of the races – between 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. – all volunteers and participants are invited to attend a Texas barbecue feast at the Mallet Center where awards will also be presented.

For more information on how to participate in the race or as a volunteer, please call 806-716-2209 or visit www.spctexans.com.