By: Ryan Duey
Abilene resident, marathon participant, and business owner Laurol Overlease has taken over the role of race director for the 22nd Eisenhower Marathon, scheduled for April 2025.
Overlease has been in the fitness industry for over a decade and is the current owner of WeeFit Abilene. Overlease said she was contacted by former director Steve Cathey, and after pondering it for a bit, she accepted the role.
“I didn’t want it to leave Abilene, it’s a great opportunity to bring business in and is a great community event. So, I think it’s just an opportunity for people to really get involved in the community and just bring people over to see what our little town’s about. People have worked hard for this marathon to keep it going and I just didn’t want that to fall by the wayside. So here we are and we’re going to tackle it the best we can and I’m excited for the next adventure!”
As a Boston Marathon qualifying race, the Eisenhower Marathon draws racers from across the country each year. Overlease said that the race course will stay the same, but she hopes to add additional activities for the racers who travel to Abilene.
“What I’d like to see is maybe a little bit more kind of the day before activities. I know people travel from all over for this race and I kind of want them to have fun for the weekend. So, if we can come up with community events, maybe nothing big, but start small that gets local businesses together, bring in the people that have traveled far, to kind of have a little evening before the race, and then maybe even celebration afterwards. So, I hope to work with other businesses as it gets closer to kind of come up with some ideas on how we can just bring everyone together, so we can celebrate and just make a fun weekend out of it. I hope to keep it down in Old Abilene Town and maybe see different vendors, different food people come in, and just make a little celebration out of it.”
As she starts her first year as director Overlease is looking for volunteers and community support for the Marathon. Since she is new, she is open to ideas to help make this another great year. She would like the community to be out there cheering racers on, getting involved, and making it a memorable weekend for everybody involved. Overlease said don’t hesitate to reach out for support or to volunteer. Her contact information can be found on the Marathon Facebook page or website.
