LJWorld.com

This is a big week for the one of the state's largest running events, even though runners won't take over Lawrence streets until April 20.

Organizers of the TherapyWorks Lawrence Half Marathon and 5K will seek approval for the route from the City Commission today. Race directors Steve and Marcia Riley will also unveil TherapyWorks as the new title sponsor during a kickoff event from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at Maceli's, 1030 N.H.

"It's going to be bigger and better this year," Marcia Riley said.

About 2,000 runners competed in either the 2007 half-marathon, 5K or 1-mile fun run. The first event raised $42,000 for Health Care Access Clinic last year in its transition from the former Raintree Run in southwest Lawrence.

Marcia Riley said organizers hope to raise more money this year to benefit the clinic, but they also are trying to meet equipment needs, such as buying cones, water jugs and tables to use annually for the race. In the first event, runners came from 19 states, the District of Columbia and Canada, Steve Riley said.

The race will mostly follow last year's 13.1-mile route, starting at Haskell Indian Nations University and passing landmarks in East Lawrence and downtown before going through Kansas University's campus and ending back at Haskell.

Steve Riley has worked with city leaders on a few tweaks, like taking a steep hill on the east side of the KU campus out of play and relieving congestion.

"Everybody really seemed to love the course, and the course will be improved from last year," Steve Riley said.

Organizers also plan to have local musicians playing at spots along the course, and they are working on providing shuttle buses to the starting line at Haskell.

At its 6:30 p.m. meeting tonight, city commissioners will consider authorizing the use of city streets and waiver of city costs - as they did last year - during the race. The estimated cost is $6,725, mostly for police and medic staffing.

The item is on the consent agenda, and city staff members are recommending approval, Assistant City Manager Cynthia Boecker said. Organizers have worked with police on the route and neighborhoods along the course, she said.

At Thursday's kickoff event sponsors, volunteers and interested runners can stop by and learn about the race and its sponsors, Marcia Riley said. Registration online at www. lawrencehalfmarathon.com will be available this month.