HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon This Sunday, Nov. 2

Members of Girls on the Run volunteering at a water stop for the 2013 Princeton Half Marathon.
Members of Girls on the Run volunteering at a water stop for the 2013 Princeton Half Marathon.

More than a thousand runners will take to the streets of Princeton this Sunday for the second annual Princeton Half Marathon.

The 13.1-mile course highlights some of Princeton’s most scenic landmarks, including the Princeton Battlefield, the Institute of Advanced Study, Princeton University, Lake Carnegie and Herrontown Woods.

Approximately 1,100 runners and 200 volunteers will participate in the race, which is also expected to attract several thousand spectators. While the majority of the runners are from the Tri-State area, runners from several other states are participating, along with two runners from Brazil and one from New Zeleand.

All proceeds from the event benefit HiTOPS, the Princeton-based nonprofit dedicated to adolescent health care and education. HiTOPS, which was founded in 1987, is located at the corner of Wiggins Street and Tulane Street. The nonprofit helps children, young adults and families achieve healthy lifestyles through risk-prevention education and intervention. The ultimate goal is to help youth make healthy lifestyle choices and avoid long-term negative health outcomes.

The course is a USATF-certified road and trail run. The race starts and ends on Paul Robeson Place. For a detailed map, visit the Princeton Half Marathon website.

The fastest runners are expected to finish the race in about an hour. The slowest runners will finish in just over three hours. All roads are expected to be re-opened no later than 10 a.m.

The race route:

West on Paul Robeson Place (from Chambers Street) to west on Hodge Road;
South on Library Place to west on Mercer Street, then south into Princeton Battle Park and Institute of Advanced Study ;
North on Olden Lane to east on Battle Road;
South on Springdale Road to east on West Drive (Princeton University);
North on Alexander Road to east on Faculty Road;
North on Washington Road to north on Vandeventer Avenue;
East on Wiggins Street to east on Hamilton Avenue
North on Walnut Lane to east on Franklin Avenue
South on Linden Lane to east on Hamilton Avenue
East on Rollingmead to north on Deer Path;
North on Clover Lane to west on Overbrook Drive;
North on Snowden Lane to north on Herrontown Road;
North on Bunn Drive to Poor Farm Road;
South on Mount Lucas Road to south on Jefferson Road;
West on Wiggins Street to west on Paul Robeson Place;
to the finish line at Chambers Street

HiTOPS, the Princeton-based adolescent health and education center, is located on Wiggins Street. The agency helps children, young adults and families achieve healthy lifestyles through risk-prevention education and intervention.

HiTOPS’ ultimate goal is healthy, responsible and empowered young people who make health-enhancing choices and avoid long-term negative health outcomes. HiTOPS is on the front line of protecting young people’s health and well-being.

The nonprofit provides affordable and accessible healthcare to youth, 13 to 26 years of age, with primary emphasis on serving people ages 18 to 26. To reduce any barriers to care, HiTOPS is working to increase the number of mobile medical sites, especially to serve the most vulnerable, highest risk individuals. The agency also trains high school seniors to implement peer to peer education.

Founded by nurse practitioners and health educators, HiTOPS’ expertise is in providing risk reduction education and health promotion to youth. HiTOPS values prevention as a cost-effective health strategy. Towards that end, HiTOPS engages youth in their own healthcare—each appointment taking as long as needed to discuss all concerns and questions.

Clients are never turned away for an inability to pay.

To learn more about HiTOPS or to make a donation, visit the HiTOPS website.

Planet Princeton is a media sponsor for the 2014 Princeton Half Marathon. Visit the HiTOPS website to learn more about HiTOPS or to make a donation. Visit PlanetPrinceton.com for runner profiles and for live coverage on Sunday.

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