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The 10 annual half marathon isn't until Saturday May 8th, but despite the cold weather many are already training for the big event.

Starting today and every Saturday for the next 14 weeks Quincy Medical Group is having a training program to get people ready for the 13.1 mile run.

About 175 brave souls met at the Hy-vee on Harrison this morning to learn how to properly run a half-marathon.

And then it was off for a four mile run, which many of them said they haven't done before, through Quincy in the bitter cold.

And for the first time in the three-year history of the training, walkers were allowed to participate.

We caught up with two friends who are training to conquer the half marathon for the first time.

We asked them why.

"Mainly it's just to run across the bridges and to stand where Al Roker did when the floods happened because you can't go across the bridges normally," Melissa Muder.

"well my friend Melissa talked me into it and I want to do it for health reasons I'm ready to lose weight. And we're doing a competition the biggest loser and the Y," said Laura Rose.

Along with the Half Marathon there is also a 5K competitive walk, and 5K and 10K runs at Bridge the Gap.

A separate training program for the 5K and 10K events is scheduled, with an informational meeting at noon on Saturday, March 6, at the QMG Sports Medicine Department.

For more information or to register for the training programs, go to the www.quincymedgroup.com or call 217-228-2323.

For more info on the race, go to www.bridgethegaptohealth.com or Facebook users can be a fan of Bridge the Gap to Health.

With it being the 10th year for the Bridge the Gap to Health festivities organizers say there will be new additions and special activities planned.