(HAVRE) A small town is planning an event with hopes it will become a big attraction and have a big impact economically.
The Havre Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its first ever marathon in one year.
“Havre is growing in a different kind of way than other small towns,” Havre Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Jody Olson said. “The economy has always been very stable. What I see as executive director of the chamber are new businesses popping up, young people taking an interest. I think something like this marathon is exactly what we need. We need to move forward, we need to think on a bigger scale.”
Olson says the idea has been in the works for a couple of years now, but a $ 12,700 grant through the Montana Department of Commerce and Business Development turned the idea into a reality.
“Maybe people don’t come here, maybe they don’t think of Havre as having anything,” Olson said.
The chamber is working with Rocky Boy Reservation and hopes the marathon will start on the reservation at Beaver Creek Park.
From there, the runners will head into the town of Havre, participating in either a 5k, 10k or full marathon.
“People love small town Havre. One of our best kept secrets is Beaver Creek Park. To get a bunch of people in from out of town for a marathon to see what we have here and maybe generate a little bit of economy and tourist attraction, we’ve got several attractions,” Olson said.
It will take place on June 6th, 2020, a weekend popular in the town of Havre.
Olson says this time of year is perfect because many attractions in town offer a discounted rate.
“Everybody that comes for the marathon, probably won’t be coming alone. They will bring a family, they will eat here, they will stay in our hotels. Those are the things were looking for. Those are the things every town needs. But Havre i think really needed a big event,” Olson said.
There is not a website to sign up for the marathon yet, but they plan to launch that very soon.
Their main sponsor is Enell Sports Bras.
“It’s really catching on, people are talking about it and there’s buzz about it around town,” Olson said.
If you would like to be a sponsor or volunteer, you can contact the chamber.
