The Mount Nittany Conservancy is now accepting registrations for the inaugural Mount Nittany Marathon to be held Sept. 1, 2013. A registration packet can be downloaded from the Conservancy’s website at www.mtnittany.org/marathon.htm.

Registration is $50 through May 20, 2013, and Penn State students can register for the discounted price of $35. “We’re keeping the local tradition alive of providing a great race at a very reasonable price,” said Conservancy president John Hook.

The marathon’s 26.2-mile certified course will wind around, but not up, its namesake. Planned amenities include a long-sleeve technical shirt and commemorative certificate (not included in the student rate), as well as aid stations and portable toilets on the race course, post-race refreshments, and chip timing. The course will be open for seven hours.

Hook said the race will raise money for work to repair erosion damage on the Lynch Overlook, a popular Mount Nittany hiking destination. “We would hate to have to close it off for a time,” said Hook.

The last time a marathon was held in State College was in 1984 in conjunction with the first Nittany Valley Half Marathon.

Nittany Valley Half race director Dave Eggler has been collecting historical information about the race, including race results, news coverage, and photos of race shirts through the years. Eggler recently added a photo of the 1977 Nittany Valley Track Club Marathon shirt to the collection, which can be viewed on the Nittany Valley Running Club website at http://nvrun.com. Anyone with additional information or race shirt photos can send them to him at dhe1@psu.edu.

This year’s Nittany Valley half will be held on Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. Registration is online at www.active.com and the fee is $25. The race headquarters is the Penn State Ag Arena.

Local race results

Youth led the way at the Mountain Top Area Swimming Pool “Keep the Pool Cool” 5K on Sept. 15. Zachary Moody, 16, of Clarence, won in 20:57. Ten-year-old Madison Surovec of Howard was the first female in 27:47.

At the Free to Breathe State College Lung Cancer 5K on Sept. 23, it was masters runners out in front as 56-year-old Rich Harter of State College won in 20:59, and 44-year-old Elisabeth Pfahl of Lemont led the women in 24:27.

Race calendar

Knights of Columbus State College Adventure 5K, Oct. 7, 1 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, 850 Stratford Dr., State College. Registration fees: $18 by Oct. 1, $20 thereafter and on race day. Discounts for families registering together. Free kids races following the 5K. Website: http://nvrun.com.

Aaronsburg Dutch Fall Festival HOPE Fund 5K Run/Walk, Oct. 13, 9 a.m., near the Aaronsburg Post Office. Registration fees: $15 by Sept. 10, $20 thereafter and on race day. Kids race (donation suggested) at 10 a.m. Website: http://pennsvalleyhopefund.com.

Steps to Safety 5K Run/Walk, Oct. 14, 1 p.m., Penn State Blue/White Golf Course, corner of N. Atherton St. and White Course Dr. Website: www.ccwrc.org.

Family Life of Penns Valley 5K Walk/Run, Oct. 20, 9 a.m., 108 Ridge Rd., Centre Hall. Registration fees: $15 by Sept. 28, $20 thereafter ($10/$15 for kids 12 and under). Website: www.familylifeofpennsvalley.org.

Tussey Mountainback 50- Mile Relay and Ultramarathon, Oct. 21, Tussey Mountain Ski Area. Ultramarathon starts at 7 a.m. and first relay wave starts at 8 a.m. USATF certified course. Relay teams can include 2 to 8 runners. Website: www.tusseymountainback.com.

Give ‘Em 5! Run For Veterans 5 mile run/5K walk, Oct. 28, 1 p.m., Bellefonte Middle School, 100 N. School St. Registration fees: $15 by Oct. 12, $20 thereafter and on race day. Register online at www.active.com or download a form from http://nvrun.com.

Run for Shelter 5K, Nov. 10, 9 a.m., Centre House, 217 E. Nittany Ave., State College. Registration fees: $20 by Oct. 31, $25 thereafter and on race day, $15 children 12 and under. Website: http://housingtransitions.com.

Girls on the Run of Happy Valley 5K Run/Walk, Nov. 11, 1 p.m., Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Registration fee: $20. Website: http://gotrhappyvalley.com.

Tara Murray write a monthly running column for the Centre Daily Times.