 While runners prepare for the blue ox marathon in Bemidji tomorrow, some runners and walkers enjoyed much shorter routes today. Mel Meyer has a look at the festivities from Bemidji. Runners of all ages and experiences kicked off the marathon festivities today with a series of races. Over a hundred children, 12 and under, sometimes guided by family members, participated in the half and the one-kilometer fun run. Are you going to kick some butt? Despite being bundled up and cold, the kids had a good time. Except for the weather, it's great. The kids all have fun running. As someone inside to get warm, the next race was about to begin. For Jan Kuleta, nothing was going to stop her. And at 90, you don't give up. She was glad to see the weather didn't prevent over 400 people from joining her either for the five and the 10K races. I think it's great that Bemidji has this and look at all the young people getting involved. That's great. Jesse Prince has been training for months and used today as preparation for tomorrow when he runs in the marathon. Despite the forecast, he was able to beat his personal record and won the race. I kind of made it my mantra that I wasn't going to let any of that stuff get in my way and I was going to breathe that 18-minute mark no matter what it took. Others say there's simply no preparing for it. We're just running. You can't prepare for this weather. You just run. In Bemidji, I'm Al Meyer, Lakeland News. The 26-kilometer half and full marathon will all start at nine tomorrow morning. The routes will follow along the shores of Lake Bemidji. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.