SAN ANTONIO \u2013 The barricades are stacked, and the countdown clocks are ticking. <\/p>\n
San Antonio\u2019s inaugural marathon is now just days away. Across the weekend are three races: a 5K, a half-marathon and a full marathon. In total, 18,000 people are expected to run. <\/p>\n
The year\u2019s marathon brings a new course to runners, one that emphasizes neighborhoods and small businesses. After a Monday news conference, KSAT spoke 1-on-1 with San Antonio Sports President and CEO Jenny Carnes. <\/p>\n
Carnes said organizers designed the new route to show the Alamo City off. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew we wanted something completely different,\u201d Carnes said. \u201cWe wanted to put an emphasis on our own community.\u201d <\/p>\n
Runners will travel through neighborhoods like King William, Monte Vista, Olmos Park, Alamo Heights and Pearl. <\/p>\n
Small businesses along the new course, like Bubbles & Bourbon, said this weekend will bring new opportunities to their storefronts. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really exciting,\u201d Bubbles & Bourbon co-owner Michael Pfeiffer said. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be great for the downtown area and the Pearl area. And it\u2019s gonna really help us out too.\u201d <\/p>\n
The expected surge in interest isn\u2019t just happening along the route. San Antonio Sports said it\u2019s showing up in race registration, as well. <\/p>\n
All three races this weekend are sold out. Carnes said there are more than twice as many marathon runners this year than the Rock \u2018n\u2019 Roll Marathon had last year. <\/p>\n