The Coconino sun., 1927-09-30
Propose Great Marathon Race Over
The Old Trails Highway From Los
Angeles To Chicago Next March

most talked-Of route from east to
west from now on, and that it will
get not only nationwide but also
Worldwide publicity, due to the coast
to-coast Marathon race to be run next
| March, was the statement of E. Bee
Guthrey of U. S. No. Sc Highway as
sociation at meeting of the Albu-
querque Auto Trades association held
| Wednesday night, says the Albuquer-
que Journal. Guthrey also pointed
out that during March and April the
road would receive the major portion
! OF the coast-to-coast auto traffic due
to the desire of everyone travelling at
that time to see the Marathon race in
progress.
Guthrey was here as the guest of
the automobile men, for the purpose
OF explaining fully what Highway No.
66 means to Albuquerque and New
Mexico and what progress is being
made. His statement that all paving
OF unpaved sections between Los An
geles and Chicago, with the exception
OF those portions of the highway in
New Mexico and Arizona, would be
actually completed within two wears
was received with enthusiasm.
Guthrey went on to tell of the pub
licity plans that the highway associa-
ton is working upon, and of the mara
thon race over Highway No. 66 be-
tween Los Angeles and Chicago. This
race will start from Los Angeles on
March 3, next and will take about 10 |
days. During that time, he stated, |
Highway No. Sc will be in the lime
light all over the world Entries now
total 165, and l 900 are expected, he
stated. The prize money totals $48,-
900, with 1000 for the winner. Ad- |
ditional publicity will be received for
two years, as the winner is tied up
for that time under contract, and will |
tour the country as the winner of
No 66 marathon. AS the
result, Guthrey stated, this highway
will become known as the best and
shortest route between Los Angeles
and Chicago
The runners are expected to make
about 40 miles per day, so that they
may be expected to pass through AL
buquerque about March 26 and 27.
Speaking about the efforts of the
association to get the highway paved,
Iuthrey told of the work accom-
Dllshed and how two years hence, only
New Mexico and Arizona roads would
oe unpaved. He sketched briefly the
advantages that would accrue from :
he paving, pointing out that 70 per
.ent of the auto tourists are potential
The outstanding facts of Guthrey's !
address, are as follows: First, the u. !
J. Highway No. 66 is the only con-
numbered highway from :
chicago to Los Angeles.
Second: 1t is 122 miles shorter than
ny other highway between those two 6
ities
Third: 1t contains fully thirty per
ent more surfaced roadbed than any
ther highway between those two t
tiles. e
Fourth: All that portion of the u
ighway between Chicago and Los v
kngeles which is not now surfaced, il
5 under daily patrol maintenance,
nd the entire highway from one end q
. the other is open for traffic with r
afety, speed and comfort. :
Guthrey closed his talk with an 3
rye to every business man to get !,
ehind the Sc convention, to be held Il
! Albuquerque October TO- This con- u
ention will bring at least 400 people.
e stated. It will be a strictly busi- -
ess meeting, with delegates from .
early every town and city of any e
re between Los Angeles and Chi =
ago, he added E,