The Charleston Distance Run has upgraded the quality of its T-shirts, increased the prize money and designated the same starting and finishing points for walkers and runners.

As always, runners in the 15-mile and 5-kilometer races will start at Virginia Street near the Civic Center and finish at Laidley Field when the 36th annual event unfolds beginning at 7:30 a.m. Aug. 30.

But unlike last year when three different walks began and ended at Appalachian Power Park, walkers will start and finish in the same locales as runners.

"We're hoping that if some family members are running and some are walking, then other family members can meet them all at Laidley Field,'' said race director Gary Smith.

Saturday's schedule will include two walks - a 5-kilometer on the same course used by the 5K runners and a 10-kilometer that begins on the 5K course but cuts through Spring Hill Cemetery, where walkers will be given badges to commemorate the occasion. The walks will begin shortly after the runs, probably at about 7:45 a.m.

And as incentive to local and regional runners, the race will give prize money to the top three finishers in each age group, instead of just the top two, which was the case last year.

Age-group winners will receive $150, runners-up will earn $100 and third place will be worth $50. Total prize money will slightly exceed $15,000, an increase of about $3,000 over last year.

"It should put more money in the hands of local and regional runners,'' said Smith. "It's not that we don't want to attract elite runners, but we wanted to equally reward our local and regional runners.''

In addition, T-shirts given to each runner will be made of a runner-friendly fabric that's less absorbent.

"Runners that run a lot and race a lot can appreciate that kind of shirt because it doesn't hold the sweat as much,'' said the race director. "If you ever stood at the starting line, you would rarely see among the top 100 runners a Distance Run T-shirt because they're cotton, and runners don't want to race in August in a cotton T-shirt.

"The shirts we're giving away this year cost a little bit more, but they're nicer and I think some good runners will actually wear it in the race. They're a lot more comfortable in hot-weather running.''

BRIEFLY: The number of participants has been holding steady in recent years. Last year, 547 completed the 15-miler and 455 finished the 5K . . . Entry fee for the 15-mile race is $25 through Aug. 3 but rises to $35 Aug. 4-24 and to $45 Aug. 25-29. Entry fee for the 5K run and both walks is $20 through Aug. 24. Fee for the three-runner relay is $20 per runner through Aug. 24 . . . Last year, 32 teams competed, and a similar number is expected this year . . . The Saturday afternoon awards banquet will offer a sit-down dinner. Last year's pizza menu was not well-received.

Reach Mike Whiteford at 348-7948 or mikewhitef...@wvgazette.com.

The Charleston Distance Run has upgraded the quality of its T-shirts, increased the prize money and designated the same starting and finishing points for walkers and runners.

As always, runners in the 15-mile and 5-kilometer races will start at Virginia Street near the Civic Center and finish at Laidley Field when the 36th annual event unfolds beginning at 7:30 a.m. Aug. 30.

But unlike last year when three different walks began and ended at Appalachian Power Park, walkers will start and finish in the same locales as runners.

"We're hoping that if some family members are running and some are walking, then other family members can meet them all at Laidley Field,'' said race director Gary Smith.

Saturday's schedule will include two walks - a 5-kilometer on the same course used by the 5K runners and a 10-kilometer that begins on the 5K course but cuts through Spring Hill Cemetery, where walkers will be given badges to commemorate the occasion. The walks will begin shortly after the runs, probably at about 7:45 a.m.

And as incentive to local and regional runners, the race will give prize money to the top three finishers in each age group, instead of just the top two, which was the case last year.

Age-group winners will receive $150, runners-up will earn $100 and third place will be worth $50. Total prize money will slightly exceed $15,000, an increase of about $3,000 over last year.

"It should put more money in the hands of local and regional runners,'' said Smith. "It's not that we don't want to attract elite runners, but we wanted to equally reward our local and regional runners.''

In addition, T-shirts given to each runner will be made of a runner-friendly fabric that's less absorbent.

"Runners that run a lot and race a lot can appreciate that kind of shirt because it doesn't hold the sweat as much,'' said the race director. "If you ever stood at the starting line, you would rarely see among the top 100 runners a Distance Run T-shirt because they're cotton, and runners don't want to race in August in a cotton T-shirt.

"The shirts we're giving away this year cost a little bit more, but they're nicer and I think some good runners will actually wear it in the race. They're a lot more comfortable in hot-weather running.''

BRIEFLY: The number of participants has been holding steady in recent years. Last year, 547 completed the 15-miler and 455 finished the 5K . . . Entry fee for the 15-mile race is $25 through Aug. 3 but rises to $35 Aug. 4-24 and to $45 Aug. 25-29. Entry fee for the 5K run and both walks is $20 through Aug. 24. Fee for the three-runner relay is $20 per runner through Aug. 24 . . . Last year, 32 teams competed, and a similar number is expected this year . . . The Saturday afternoon awards banquet will offer a sit-down dinner. Last year's pizza menu was not well-received.

Reach Mike Whiteford at 348-7948 or mikewhitef...@wvgazette.com.