Maybe it was the chance to get their picture on the back of a cereal box, but whatever the motivation it encouraged a record number of people to compete next Sunday morning in the Whidbey Island Marathon and Half Marathon.

For islanders not prone to getting up early and running roughly 26 miles or 13 miles, the marathon’s main impact will be traffic related.

This year, the course includes running across Deception Pass Bridge, which hasn’t always been the case in the event’s past four years. The Washington State Department of Transportation agreed to the request this year, but will be watching closely.

“WSDOT will determine if it’ll continue in the future,” said department spokesperson Dave Chesson. “We’ll just be there to monitor how it goes.” The State Patrol will control traffic in the area.

Deception Pass and Canoe Pass bridges will be closed to vehicular traffic for an estimated 25 minutes after the long marathon begins at 8 a.m. at Rosario Road and Highway 20. The half marathon starts in Oak Harbor at Olympic View Elementary.

Race promoters are using the scenic bridge to stir up interest in the race. “The bridge is back” boasts the announcement at www.whidbeyislandmarathon.com.

The promoter is Pro Motion Events where marketing manager Garett Slettebak said Tuesday that 2,300 runners are expected to participate in this year’s marathon, up significantly from last year’s record 1,550 runners. This year, about 500 will be doing the full marathon while 1,800 opted for the shorter test.

Slettebak credited the event’s new sponsor, Nature’s Path organic cereals, with whipping up even more interest in the popular Whidbey Island Marathon. He said the company took out a four-page advertisement in Runner’s World magazine and will put pictures of the male and female winners on the back of cereal boxes that will be distributed throughout North America. “It’ll promote Whidbey Island all across America,” he said.

Both races will conclude at Coupeville Town Park. Along the way, runners will be found on a host of county and city roads. The route includes Highway 20, Monkey Hill Road, Henni Road, Jones Road, Taylor Road, Crescent Harbor Road, Regatta Drive, City Beach Park, Scenic Heights Road and Madrona Way. Motorists should be alert to runners and watch out for road closures or delays.

The Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce and other organizations are recruiting volunteers to help conduct the race. Volunteers are needed for such things as setting up the start and finish lines, controlling traffic, handing out water, placing mile markers and directional signs, and providing medical care. Prospective volunteers can find information at whidbey@promotionevents.com.

Island innkeepers should have plenty of business as the hundreds of participants begin flooding onto the island later this week. They’ll all be registering for the race from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Oak Harbor High School. Cost is $90 for the full marathon and $50 for the half. Participants get t-shirts and finishers also receive medals.

Roads to be closed

Here are the road closures on Sunday, April 2, due to the Whidbey Island Marathon and Half Marathon, as reported by the Island County Road Department.

• Rosario Road at Pass Lake, closed 7 to 8:15 a.m.

• Highway 20, Pass Lake to the south end of Deception Pass bridge, closed 7:55 to 8:20 a.m.

• Regatta Way from Crescent Harbor Road and Pioneer Way, closed 8:15 to 8:45 a.m.

• Madrona Way and Sherman Road, and Madrona Way to Broadway, closed 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Broadway and Madrona Way to Broadway and Coveland, closed 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• NW Vine Street from Madrona Way to Black Road, closed 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Certified flaggers will be out to direct the public to alternative routes.