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GREENSBORO — More officials and extra signs will line the course of the 2011 United Healthcare North Carolina Marathon.

In last year's race, a misdirected half-marathoner wound up finishing the marathon first and caused some controversy in the local running community.

The reaction by the race officials was to add more direction for runners for the Nov. 19 event.

"We'll have both lead and trailing vehicles" for the races, said race director Melissa Fourrier.

Members of the Twin City Track Club also will help officiate the race route and handle race details.

The marathon's proceeds go to Foster Friends of North Carolina, but this year participants can choose from other charities to receive a portion of race registration funds.

Fourrier and others connected to the race detailed this year's race during a Tuesday news conference at the United Healthcare headquarters.

One appeal of the event, according to Garland Scott, CEO of United Healthcare of North Carolina and South Carolina, is the variety of distances. A 5K, a half-marathon and a marathon are options for runners, or those who just want to participate.

"In my case, you can walk real slow," said, who will do the 5K.

The marathon will be run on the same course through High Point that it has followed in the three years it's been run there.

Also added: about $5,000 to the race sign budget and temporary stripes on the course to mark the routes.

The enhanced way-markers come as a result of a mix-up on the part of Portsmouth, Va., runner Ryan Carroll in the 2010 race. He missed a turn in the half-marathon he registered to run and ran the full marathon instead.

Carroll finished the marathon first, but since he wasn't registered for that race, the official winner was Chuck Engle, who finished the marathon in 2 hours, 46 minutes, 4 seconds.

Along with the extra course support, there will be more North Carolina-based activities with the namesake race. Shag music will play before the start of the race, North Carolina-themed food will be served by vendors, and racers and spectators can expect some bluegrass music.

Yes, Fourrier said, even grits will be served.

"Every Yankee in the room is laughing," she said, joking at the news conference.

Contact Gerald Witt at 373-7008 or gerald.witt@news-record.com