Visit Topeka Inc. is pleased to announce that Topeka has been named the host of the 2014 NJCAA’s Men’s and Women’s Half Marathon National Championship. Visit Topeka Inc. submitted the winning bid for the event, which will be held at Lake Shawnee on November 22, 2014. This event will bring 225 – 250 collegiate runners to Topeka from junior colleges across the United States.

NJCAA75-200In recent years, Visit Topeka Inc. has established a history of hosting successful events with the National Junior College Athletic Association, and will continue to work together to bring quality sporting events to Topeka facilities. Topeka has been the host to NJCAA’s Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Region VI Softball Championships since 2011 and the Region VI Soccer Championship since 2010. Additionally, the NJCAA’s Women’s Soccer National Championships came to Topeka in 2010.

“Visit Topeka is excited and honored for this opportunity to bring another NJCAA event to Topeka,” said Jeffrey Alderman, director of sales for Visit Topeka Inc. “The NJCAA officials who have toured Topeka were very impressed with the caliber of our sporting facilities and the variety of events that can be held around Lake Shawnee. We are looking forward to partnering with NJCAA on additional sporting events and national championships for years to come.”

The 13.1 mile championship course at Lake Shawnee will run a trail similar to the annual Tinman Triathlon, making use of paths around the lake. Parrish Hotels will be serving the event as the host hotel. The Half Marathon National Championship has previously been held in Dallas, Ga., Lubbock, Texas and in Overland Park, Kan.

“On behalf of Parrish Hotels, I wish to thank the NJCAA for choosing Topeka and to extend a warm welcome to the athletes and the NJCAA officials,” said Jim Parrish, owner of Parrish Hotel Corporation. “The Half Marathon Championship promises to be an excellent event for Topeka and we promise to take good care of these guests. Our thanks go to Visit Topeka for its effort in bringing this event to our city, and we hope NJCAA continues to choose Topeka.”

As Topeka’s official destination marketing organization, Visit Topeka Inc. is dedicated to improving the area economy through marketing the region as an exceptional destination for meetings, events, sports and tourism. Visit Topeka Inc. is committed to advocating for community development that will not only attract more visitors, but will enhance the community’s quality of life.