Sunday's run, however, seems to be on course for a smoother finish.

Downtown merchants and churchgoers don't have to worry that the annual marathon will impede foot traffic or keep people away from services, said Rachel Ridgway, race organizer.

People have been alerted about the marathon and the event was planned to take start early so by the time stores open, runners would be out of the downtown area, Ridgway said.

Ridgway said streets will not be closed permanently until the race ends. "As soon as runners clear one area, we will try to open the intersection," she said.

The event was designed to start early and be completed by 2 p.m.

Merchants said having more than 3,000 people in town is good for business.

Joe Cohen, owner of Classic Cigars and British Goodies on North Market Street, said Sunday was chosen for the race because it's a quiet day for businesses.

"Having the race on Sunday wouldn't make much difference. Most businesses will be closed anyway," Cohen said.

Ridgway said by the time businesses open, runners would have passed through the downtown area and onto New Design Road or Ballenger Creek Pike.

Richard Griffin, Frederick 's economic development director, said the marathon is not a city-sponsored event but, "we're very pleased to have it in Frederick . It is an added recreation dimension, it brings people to town and fills hotels and restaurants."

Downtown Frederick Partnership's marketing and promotions manager Joanna Lubbes said her organization has been a liaison between race organizers and downtown merchants, raising any concerns the business people might have.

"We definitely see the marathon as a positive thing," Lubbes said. "We use it to market other events and it's a win-win for everybody."

Foot traffic can help business

For some businesses, the marathon could be a break from slow business.

Brewery tanks are full of beer and restaurants are stocked with food in anticipation of a big weekend, said Phil Bowers, co-owner of Brewer's Alley, Acacia and Isabella's restaurants.

"We're ready to rock and roll," Bowers said. "It's been a long winter and it's about time for good weather, and good business."

Bowers said Frederick 's monthly Gallery Walk is always good for merchants, and combining the walk with May Fest on Saturday and the marathon on Sunday will make for busy cash registers.

Other businesses aren't expecting the marathon to have a dramatic effect on business.

Former mayor Jennifer Dougherty, owner of Jennifer's Restaurant on West Patrick Street, said the marathon boosted the Irish restaurant and bar's trade about 10 percent last year.

"We had a little bit of extra business the Saturday before the race because the marathon runners like to eat a lot before the race," she said. "When you have downtown events you sort of get used to those activities and the ebb and flow of traffic."

While some events do increase business, Dougherty, who helped found the marathon during her term, said she's grateful for any downtown event that draws crowds.

Sometimes that means the crowds temporarily make it difficult for customers or churchgoers to get to their destination.

"But the upside is that the overall view for visitors is that we have a great town," Dougherty said. "They'll want to come back, so to me that's a good tradeoff."

Ridgway said the marathon is sensitive to churchgoers. An early service will be held at 6:15 a.m. at the Frederick Keys Stadium for marathon participants.

The Rev. Roger Rollins, pastor of Thomas Tabernacle Church, will lead the pre-race service.

He will focus on a theme from Ecclesiastes, which centers on running the race of life and pressing on to a higher calling, the Rev. Rollins said.

"The race of life is not about being swift or strong,"Rollins said, paraphrasing the scripture. "It's about consistency -- enduring to the end so that even if one person is as slow as a snail, they are all winners."