David Duggan of High Point won the North Carolina Marathon in High Point today with a time of 2:35:28.
Melissa T. Fourrier, executive director of the race, said about 1,900 people had registered to run as of 2 a.m. this morning, far exceeding the 1,170 people who ran in Greensboro last year.
Beth Deloria of the Southside Running Club displays a sign thanking the High Point Police Department for providing security for the event free of charge. The North Carolina Marathon pulled out Greensboro when city staff requested $87,000 for police services, Fourrier said.
The race director told me and a High Point Enterprise reporter: "I can't imagine ever leaving High Point. They literally rolled out the red carpet for us. The key to having a successful marathon is having the support of city government."
Later, I asked Fourrier if there was anything the city of Greensboro could do to earn a second chance.
"I don't think they want us," she replied. "There were some city council members that were extremely negative."
A handful of half-marathon runners with whom I spoke gave the event and the city of High Point high marks.
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