Race may be annual event without Reinke

FLORA, Ind. (WLFI) - The controversial Home of Purdue Half Marathon that took place in Flora during the month of October may become an annual event.

Purdue and Reinke Sports Group settled a lawsuit over the race's name this week. It can no longer use the name Home of Purdue, but officials in Flora said the race may go on without the name or Reinke Sports Group.

"Probably aren't going to affiliate with the Reinke Group this year because we feel we could do it ourselves," said Carroll County Community Center director Don Franklin, who helped with last year's mini-marathon.

Franklin said the community center received $3,000 from the race, which is what Reinke Sports Group said the community center would receive.

"Although all went well with working with them on the event other than a few minor things, we felt we could just do it," Franklin explained. "We could actually realize a little more of the profit from the event if we did it ourselves."

Dean Reinke of Reinke Sports Group said that's fine.

"We appreciate Don and the community center for stepping forward and coming to us and offering us a home," Reinke said. "We really haven't had any more conversation about it."

Franklin said a board will decide if it will host another race this fall within the coming weeks, but it may not be a half marathon.

"Bring in 300, 400, 500 participants and maybe double the proceeds of what we brought in this year," Franklin said. "There are a lot of logistics when you put on anything above a 10K race. We may have a 10K and a half marathon, we may just have a 10K race or a 5K race."

The mini-marathon was originally supposed to be in Greater Lafayette, but the event was moved to Flora after both cities and Purdue University denied permission for the race to happen on their properties.

Just this week Purdue Vice President for Marketing and Media Teri Lucie Thompson sent out a news release stating the university settled a lawsuit with Reinke and his firm over using the Purdue name to promote an event. As a result, Reinke cannot use Purdue's name for promotions or undertake any athletic promotions in Tippecanoe County for the next three years.

Reinke said he pleased with the outcome of the lawsuit.

"We appreciate, certainly, Ms. Thompson's apology there would be no more defamatory remarks from her," Reinke said.

Under the settlement, Reinke has agreed not to initiate a lawsuit related to the run against Lafayette, West Lafayette, Greater Lafayette Commerce and the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Reinke said he has discussed hosting a race in with people in Bloomington.