ARDMORE, OK - Last year more than 1,200 runners from across the country took part in Ardmore's first ever marathon. Now both runners and organizers are gearing up for the second Arbuckles to Ardmore Race for Mercy.

The Arbuckles to Ardmore, or A2A, Marathon is a two day event complete with a full marathon, a half marathon., and a 5K run, all to support the new Mercy Memorial Cancer Center set to open in just over a month.

"We're hoping that the A2A Marathon becomes a highlight of this community where people in other communities hear of the A2A Marathon, they think of Ardmore."

Organizer of the A2A, Alison Smalley, says the first ever Arbuckles to Ardmore Marathon surpassed everyone's expectations by bringing more than 1,200 runners to Ardmore. Smalley says with the same courses and events planned for this year they're hoping for the same or an even better turnout.

"I think the runners were shocked at what a first class race a little town put on, and I got lots of responses."

And while there are the obvious benefits of running in any three of the races, the new Mercy Memorial Cancer Center in Ardmore also benefits with all the money donated by sponsors going directly to the center, which totaled $90,000 last year.

Executive Director of the Mercy Memorial Health Center Foundation Andre Moore says the center is on schedule to open in April and will be the first of its kind in Southern Oklahoma.

"It gives convenience for our patients where they don't have to travel hundreds of miles to get treatment and some other comprehensive services are going to be provided also at the cancer center," Moore says.

Over 500 people from the community volunteer for the race and Smalley says she hopes even more people will come out this year in support of not only the marathon, but the fight against cancer.

"It will always benefit the cancer center. That is our passion and that's what we give our time and energy for because we want to fight cancer and we want to fight it in Ardmore."

A community health expo is set for March 19th, and the A2A is set for March 20th. If you would like to register for the races or volunteer, you can do so at the A2A Marathon website at the link below.

Online:

http://www.a2amarathon.com/