Excitement is building as one of the oldest and most challenging distance running events in the eastern United States celebrates its golden anniversary this year. The God’s Country Marathon, scheduled for Saturday, June 7, on the Galeton-to-Coudersport course will be one for the books!

Organizers are planning some special events to mark the 50th year. Among guests who are expected to converge at the courthouse square finish line are the course record-holder, Terry Stanley, race founder Ralph Wentz, and some other notables. As always, runners will answer the starter’s gun at Galeton Area School, progress to U.S. Rt. 6 and “conquer” the grueling course up and over Denton Hill enroute to the courthouse square finish line.

Marathon runners will step off from the Galeton Area School parking lot at 7 am. Half-marathon participants lined up at Denton Hill State Park will answer the starter’s gun at 8 am.

Spectators are invited to turn out along the course to cheer on runners. In years past runners have felt like celebrities as they trot into town. Runners names and hometowns are announced as they cross the finish line to music and fanfare. An awards ceremony will take place at 12:30 pm.

Roots of the marathon trace back to the early 1970s, when Paul Marraccini, a Monongahela, Pa., physical education teacher, who regularly visited Potter County for outdoor adventures, was shooting the breeze at the latter’s Nine Mile Store. Marraccini had been bitten by the bug as distance running began to take hold across the nation. Meanwhile, urban sprawl was sending Americans bolting for the country to relax. Potter County, billing itself as God’s Country, had a growing reputation for its striking scenery, clean air and water, outdoor recreation and its relaxing lifestyle.

Marraccini held the ear of Ralph Wentz, executive director of the county’s tourist promotion agency, who listened intently, his wheels turning. It wasn’t long before these two can-do men hatched a plan: capitalize on the running fad by creating a certified 26.2-mile marathon course that crossed over the Eastern Continental Divide through some of the most striking scenery in the Northeast. Wentz recalled, “We needed something that would set us apart from all of the others. And it suddenly dawned on us that we had it – the hill.”

By its fifth year, the God’s Country Marathon drew just under 500 runners from more than half of the states in the U.S. and at least two foreign countries. A half-century later, the God’s Country Marathon lives on, albeit with fewer runners. “Conquer the Hill” remains its enduring theme. Runners must not only test themselves on the long and gradual climb to the summit, but they also have to change gears and adapt to the extended descent.

Terry Stanley, a collegiate distance runner at Mansfield University, was among the early conquerors – but it took a while. In his debut, he had to drop out before reaching the midpoint as Denton Hill took its toll.

Stanley conferred with more experienced runners at the finish line, taking mental notes, and adjusted his training routine. He came back strong and won the marathon in 1978, 1979, and 1981, when he set the course record while running away from a field of hundreds of runners. His time was 2:25:12, a record that still stands. Recordholder in the women’s division is Jacquie Merritt, who set the mark in 2001 with a time of 2:50.12.

There was a time not long ago when the future of the God’s Country Marathon was very much in jeopardy. Participation was falling. Endurance events were losing favor as runners opted for shorter routes. Volunteers were harder to find.

In 2012, in an effort to stop the bleeding, organizers from the Potter County Visitors Assn. (PCVA) made the fateful decision to tinker with the race’s formatting. A full 26.2-mile race would continue, but runners would be offered a less-challenging option – a half-marathon.

Additionally, to appeal to even casual runners, a relay option was offered, where five runners would team up to run the course.

Eventually, the number of runners opting for the 13.1-miler surpassed the full marathoners. One recent race drew 79 runners in the full marathon and another 98 in the half-marathon, along with five relay teams entered.

Seven years later after the format adjustment, the future of the marathon was once again in doubt. PCVA had dissolved. Meanwhile, a group of running enthusiasts brimming with energy and an appreciation for the marathon’s history and significance came to the fore to fill the leadership void. Each of them had local roots. They had bonded as runners in the relay division and recognized the importance of keeping the race alive. The Potter County Education Council swooped in to rescue the race by providing a certified nonprofit financial foundation. Net proceeds from the marathon continue to be used by the council to support local community efforts and initiatives.

All five members of the team that stepped up in 2019 have been running with the event ever since. Karen Larsen, race chair, explained why: “Our passion for running, combined with the breathtaking beauty of our region, brings us immense joy and also brings people from other areas together with our community.”

Rich Neefe, who has overseen the water stations and coordinated volunteers, has announced that, to mark the golden anniversary, the committee is holding a contest for Best Water Station, voted on by the runners themselves.

“Our volunteers bring the magic to every mile,” Neefe explained. “Their energy and creativity fuel this race just as much as the water they hand out. We’re beyond grateful for everything they do.”

Rounding out the committee members are Amy Long, Britta Petrich, and Jessica Songster. The group reports that word of the golden anniversary milestone has been spreading. Participation is expected to pass the 200 mark, as runners from other regions test their abilities on the course and interest grows among scholastic athletes, particularly in the relay.

Larsen said the one enduring asset in Potter County has been the community support: “More than 100 volunteers, local businesses, and community members come together to enjoy this exciting event in our own backyard. We are incredibly grateful for our sponsors, whose funding makes this event possible, and our faithful volunteers, whose commitment of time and energy is invaluable.”

UPMC has signed on as official race partner. C&N and Denton Go are presenting partners. Seneca Resources is sponsoring the finish line and Zito Media is handling packet distribution, both contributing as event partners. Wending Creek Farms has donated maple syrup samples for gift bags to be presented to each runner.

While very few people set out to win the marathon, all finishers will receive a commemorative 50th year anniversary medal this year. For most, that is good as gold.