SACKETS HARBOR — Days before the start of a road race commemorating the War of 1812, organizers say everything is in place for it to be a success.

“We’ve been over every single inch of things,” said Paula J. Hurlbut, one of the race organizers.

The 18.12 Challenge and Half-Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, will have 530 runners from 17 states, some as far away as Texas, and three Canadian provinces.

“We were just thrilled,” Mrs. Hurlbut said. “It’s just going to build.”

For the inaugural race, registration had been capped at 812 spots.

Mrs. Hurlbut said safety was a priority for the race, and organizers had planned as though 5,000 runners were competing.

Mrs. Hurlbut, along with Leslie J. Robare, a junior high English teacher at South Jefferson Central School, Adams, have been planning the race since last September.

The pair have met with officials from the city of Watertown, town of Hounsfield, village of Sackets Harbor, Jefferson County and the state to pin down the final details, such as traffic control.

“Ultimately, it’s finding out that we had all of our ducks in a row with our permits, insurance ... anything we needed to put on a safe race,” Mrs. Hurlbut said.

She said the planning work already done will make it easier for future races.

Runners can choose between a half-marathon route of 13.1 miles or a route traveling 18.12 miles, starting at Immaculate Heart Central School in Watertown and ending at the Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site.

Village of Sackets Harbor Mayor F. Eric Constance said his staff was ready for race weekend.

“Knowing what these two have done, I think it should go off without a hitch,” Mr. Constance said.

Pickup of race packets will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the battlefield site and the race will take place starting at 7 a.m. Sunday.

More information about the race, including course maps, can be found at www.1812challenge.com. Mrs. Robare and Mrs. Hurlbut may be contacted at northcountryrunninggroup@yahoo.com.

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