Runners plan to attend Flora mini

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The Home of Purdue half marathon became controversial when the city of West Lafayette, Lafayette and Purdue University pulled support from the mini marathon. The race creator Dean Rienke moved the race to Carroll County.  After the move to Flora many of the runners tried to get their money back but some decided to stick it out.

Runner Brian Raub said despite the controversy and pending lawsuit surrounding the Home of Purdue Half marathon, he will be taking his mark on race day in Flora.

"I just like to run. If it is anywhere near Lafayette or West Lafayette, I'm willing to run it. Wherever they put this race on, I don't care where it's at," said Raub.

Raub signed up for the Home of Purdue half marathon because it was the first in proximity. Raub has run marathons in Cincinnati, Madison, and Indianapolis but none in his backyard.

"I was a little excited that there was going to be one in my hometown without having to travel all over the midwest to run in these things," said Raub.

Raub said it is unclear to him why there is a dispute between the cities and Reinke Sports Group.

"The guy that is putting this on Reinke, I'm not sure about his doings but he has done a lot of races. And the guy he has teamed up with in Flora, Don Franklin, and the races that he's put on and they were actually pretty good organized races," said Raub.

Runner Michelle Chutka said many of her fellow athletes wanted out, when the race moved to Flora.

"I know folks that have tried to get the money back and were not very successful and so I'd say about 50/50. Half just abandoning or just trying to stick with it. So it's really based on the individual," said Chutka.

Chutka started running in endurance events after knee surgery and giving birth. She said she was interested in the mini marathon because it was in her neighborhood. Chutka said she is committed to being at the race.

"I heard about the controversy but, I had signed up and I was committed. So ultimately I just wanted to stick with my goals," said Chutka.

But Chutka said she is concerned about the turnout.

"I would not be surprised if we did not get a pretty good showing. I think that a lot of people regardless if it has the (Purdue) name associated are just interested in accomplishing their goals and I really hoped that we do have a good turn out," said Chutka. 

Both Raub and Chutka said they would like to see something created in West Lafayette.

"I hope to see in the future. I really think that there would be a good population of runners here that would like to participate in that," said Chutka.