The April Sorensen Memorial Half Marathon will be July 9 in Albert Lea, with a new start time.

The marathon will start at 7:30 a.m. instead of 8 a.m., like it has in previous years. Holly Larson, one of the organizers of the marathon, said they wanted to start earlier to help the runners run in cooler temperatures.

“We want to keep the health risks to a minimum, and we thought by bumping up the start time by a half hour we could eliminate the possibility of someone over-heating,” Larson said.

The half marathon is 13.1 miles, starting in Albert Lea and ending in Hayward in connection with Hayward Days. There were more than 200 participants in the 2010 race, and Larson said there’s more interest in the relay option for the race.

“I think the runners are liking the option of the relay teams,” Larson said. “It allows them to still participate in the event but have a lot easier and flexible training schedule.”

This is the fourth year for the event, and it is run in memory of Albert Lea High School graduate April Sorensen, Larson’s sister, who was found dead in her Rochester home in 2007. Her case remains unsolved.

Sorensen enjoyed running marathons with her sister and father and often they participated in marathons together. Sorensen completed three relays with her dad and sister and ran others on her own. The half marathon draws many of her former classmates and others who know the family.

People can sign up for the race online at www.livelaughloverun.com by using the online registration feature or printing out a brochure and mailing it in. The race fee is $50 for individuals and $100 for relay teams until July 8. On the the race day fees are $60 for individuals and $120 for relay teams.

“We do see an increase in out-of-town runners signing up each year,” Larson said.

The money raised from the event goes toward two $500 scholarships to the Albert Lea, Alden-Conger and Glenville-Emmons school districts, along with helping to fund the Blazing Star Trail.

First place finishers, male and female, are awarded $500. Second-place finishers earn $250 and third place $100. All finishers receive a medal.

Volunteers are still needed for the race. Forms are available on the race website, and there are several duties that still need volunteers. There is a mandatory volunteer meeting at 5:30 p.m. June 29 at the Fairlane Building at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds.