If you attend Sunday morning services in downtown Springfield, the 12th annual Bass Pro Shops Conservation Marathon is being held on Sunday, Nov. 4 and will encompass the entire center section of the city from east Trafficway to Sunset and from Kansas Expressway to Ingram Mill.
Groups of runners will be on race routes in and around the downtown area beginning around 7:30 a.m. Traffic delays will be inevitable for drivers wanting to cross any of the race routes, however, traffic control officers and volunteers will be working hard to balance the safety of the runners with the needs of motorists.
While the race is being conducted, motorists are asked to be patient and to follow the instructions of the traffic control officers and volunteers, who will direct traffic across the race routes, when the safety of the runners is not in jeopardy.
Services after 9 a.m. will experience significantly less delay, due to runners either being out of the downtown area or spread out enough to have minimal impact on drivers.
Parishioners are encouraged to consider altering their usual routes to church, using Chestnut Expressway and National Avenue to Walnut Street to access downtown destinations. Bass Pro Marathon coordinators and City leadership ask for your patience and understanding on Nov. 4, as we all desire to promote a positive experience for the community with this event.
In addition to bringing commerce to our city, the Fitness Series benefits several charities, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks and Ozark Greenways. Bass Pro also awards prize money to City of Springfield registered neighborhoods for participating in a cheering section contest along the route. Neighborhoods can use these funds for neighborhood improvements.