170 EXPECTED TO COMPETE IN TODAY'S MARATHON

About 170 runners are expected to be at the starting line when today's (Saturday) 34th annual God's Country Marathon steps off at the Galeton Area School parking lot.

The marathon is sponsored by the Potter County Visitors Association.

Runners will follow US Route 6 to Coudersport on an AAU-certified 26.2-mile course. First runner will arrive at the courthouse square finish line sometime around 10:45 am.

Spectators are welcome to turn out and cheer for the runners along the course or at the finish line.

Race Director Kim Mitchell said the race registration is up by about 20 percent over the 2007 field. Runners will come from more than a dozen states and Canada. There are a handful of local runners in the field, including Coudersport Postmaster Steve Sevinsky and his sister, Gloria Richardson.

An awards ceremony will be held at the courthouse square early Saturday afternoon, with cash and other prizes presented to the fastest finishers.