Marathon owner offers free entry into other events if SLC race doesn't happen

The new owner of the Salt Lake City Marathon says that if it cannot secure a city permit to run the race as scheduled April 21, it will offer registered runners free entry into any of his company's remaining races this year.

"We have every reason to believe the 2012 event is going to take place," owner Peter Handy of US Road Sports said in a statement Thursday. "We are encouraging people to register to run, keep training and come join us on April 21. If we are wrong, we want to reward the runners for all their hard work."

The remaining US Road Sports events this year include the New Jersey Marathon on May 6, the Chicago Half-Marathon and 5K on Sept. 9, and a handful of themed half-marathons in the "13.1 Marathon" series in Chicago (June 9), Boston (Sept. 16), Atlanta (Oct. 7), Dallas (Oct. 27) and Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Nov. 11).

Organizers are hoping to receive the permit it needs, but they have been late in getting application materials to Salt Lake City after buying the race from previous owner Chris Devine just days before an initial deadline.

It might be April before the city decides whether to issue a permit for the race.

Handy had previously said he cannot offer refunds to registered runners because that is not common practice at races around the country and because, in this case, his company will not actually receive any revenue from registration until the race is 80 percent full, because of a pre-existing contract.

Runners and cyclists can register for the races at www.saltlakecitymarathon.com.

Registration fees will increase after March 7, to $98 for the marathon, $84 for the half-marathon, $42 for the 5K and $49 or the bike tour.