Guest: Marcus Manning and Steve Lovell - Durham Sports Commission

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex speak with Marcus Manning and Steve Lovell.

Marcus Manning, Executive Director of the Durham Sports Commission, and Steve Lovell, Associate Director of Advertising and Sponsorship at Garmin International, joined the Sports Shop to announce and discuss an exciting new event. Durham, North Carolina has been selected as the newest host city for the Garmin Marathon Series. This marks only the third official location for the growing series, following Toledo, Ohio and Tucson, Arizona.

Marcus Manning spoke about the significance of this announcement for Durham, highlighting that this is more than just a race—it’s a first-of-its-kind collaboration between local powerhouses like the Durham Sports Commission, the Durham Bulls, and Duke University. Steve Lovell explained why Garmin selected Durham as the next stop in the series.

The event is scheduled for May 2, 2026, and will include a full marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K, making it accessible to runners of all levels. Registration opens October 2, 2025, at garmin.com/marathons. In addition to the races, the weekend will include a two-day expo, live music, food, and appearances by Garmin-sponsored athletes—cementing the experience as both a sporting and cultural celebration.