Palmetto Half Marathon

The Palmetto Half Marathon (PHM), being held on Saturday April 9, has been a local favorite for six years in the Columbia running community and, this year, is changing the focus of the 13.1-mile road race to a celebration of life. The 2016 race is being held in memory of a fallen runner during the 2015 race, Amanda Peake Glover.

The annual PHM hosts a half marathon, youth half marathon, 5K run and walk, and a kid’s fun run. The youth half marathon is on Friday, April 8, and all other races will be held starting at 7 a.m. on April 9 at the Village at Sandhill in northeast Columbia.

The PHM organizers are asking all those who wish to participate in the runs or walk do so in honor of Amanda. To do so, Fitness 535 has designed a special T-shirt to celebrate her mantra and color of life, pink. Any participant or non-participant can purchase these T-shirts by making a donation on the PHM’s website, and all the proceeds will go directly to a charity of her family’s choosing. Any run participant who donates $20 or more will receive a T-shirt in addition to the race shirt that comes with their registration. Non-runners or walkers can purchase a T-shirt by making a donation of $25 or more. There will also be a balloon release at the start of the race.

The out-and-back half-marathon course takes runners through parts of northeast Columbia, including the Woodlands and Wildewood neighborhoods. Water stations are positioned approximately every two miles along the course. There will be bathroom facilities along the course as well as a first-aid tent near mile four and mile nine. At the finish line, participants will be awarded a finisher’s medal and will be able to enjoy food, drinks, music and awards and visit with the sponsors and health and fitness expo vendors.