Nearly 2,000 distance runners are expected to hit the Colorado River Road Sunday morning, Oct. 18 for the sixth annual half marathon race – “The Other Half.”

Among them is 2008 winner Paul Petersen of Logan, Utah, who not only plans to defend his title but hopes to break the course record of 1:12:19, set by Ewen North in 2007, race organizers said.

Another expected contender is Bernie Boettcher of Silt, Colo. “Bernie has been the top masters runner (age 40 and over) every year of the race, and the outright winner three of those years,” said race director Ranna Bieschke.

In addition, Lisa Goldsmith of Nederland, Colo. will be attempting to better her female masters course record time of 1:26:06, Bieschke said.

The annual event, which started in 2004, is a companion race to the Canyonlands Half Marathon held each spring. The Other Half is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. near the Dewey Bridge on state Route 128 and end at Sorrel River Ranch (milepost 17), with the top runners expected to arrive at the finish line just before 10 a.m.

That stretch of highway will be closed to vehicular traffic from 7 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., Bieschke said.

The 2,000 registrants represent the largest crowd the race has ever had, Bieschke said. “We sold out six weeks ago.”

Although more than half of this year’s registrants are from Utah, another third of the field hails from Colorado, said Bieschke. All told, this year’s entrants come from at least 36 different states and at least four foreign countries. One runner is even signed up from Iceland, she said.

Once again, female runners outnumber the males by a two-to-one margin, Bieschke added.

Some 200 volunteers will help stage and provide support for the race, including manning the various water and aid stations along the way.

The groups of volunteers include DayStar Adventist Academy (with 43 volunteers), groups from Grand County High School (girls soccer team, outdoor education, and National Honor Society), the Youth Garden Project (which hosts a pasta dinner the night before the race), Canyonlands Field Institute, Grand County Public Library, the Moab Teen Center, Moab Adventure Center, Grand Area Mentoring, and Moab Taiko Dan.

“As part of our ongoing commitment toward our green initiatives, volunteers have cleaned up litter along the roadside the week before the race, and we’ll be recycling and composting trash generated during the race itself,” Bieschke said.

This year, a number of race participants are also raising funds for cancer research through the Huntsman Cancer Foundation’s “Hometown Heroes” program.

The best place for spectators to view the event is at the finish area at Sorrel River Ranch. Parking will be available at a gravel lot one mile west of the finish area. Shuttles will run between there and the ranch.

For more information, visit www.moabhalfmarathon.org.