Huot, who has a passion for running, announced yesterday that the Queen City will host a marathon and half marathon on Sunday, Nov. 4.

Both races, beginning and ending at Veterans Park, will weave through Goffstown and Hooksett. The 26.2-mile course has yet to be certified and specifics of the course will be released once that happens, Huot said. There will also be a 13.1-mile half marathon.

With prize money totalling $12,500 for the marathon, and $6,800 for the half marathon, Huot is hoping the marathon attracts some elite runners. Maine's Joan Benoit Samuelson, the winner of the first woman's Olympic Marathon, in 1984, will speak at the event but doesn't plan to run.

It marks the first time since the 1930s that New Hampshire's largest city will host a marathon. The New England Marathon lasted for nearly 10 years.

Huot, who will serve as race director, said Manchester's rich tradition of hosting road events over the years gave her the idea.

"This community has done a wonderful job of supporting many road races over the years and I felt we had things in place to host a marathon,'' said Huot. "My goal is to hopefully make this race New England's biggest qualifier for the Boston Marathon,'' said Huot. Most of those who run in the Boston Marathon must qualify by meeting a time cutoff in another marathon.

She thought early November was an good fit for the race.

"We don't conflict with any other marathon,'' she said, noting that the Clarence DeMar Marathon in Keene and the New Hampshire Marathon in Bristol are both earlier in fall.

"The New York Marathon is held in November, but they admit their runners through a special lottery,'' said Huot. "So anyone who doesn't run there now has an opportunity to run in our marathon.''

Huot is a 1999 Manchester West graduate and a Bedford native. She is employed by the city of Manchester as assistant to Mayor Frank Guinta.

Runners interested in registering for the race should go to ManchesterCityMarathon.com or coolrunning.com.

"There is no cut off for entrants for this race and I am anticipating 1,500 runners,'' said Huot.

The races will begin at 9 a.m.

Pre-registration is $45 through July 31, increasing to $55 from August through October. Late registrants will be charged $65 after that. For the half marathon, the same dates apply as the fee starts at $35 before increasing to $45 and $55 for late sign-ups.

Huot said the Radisson Hotel in Manchester (Center of New Hampshire) will host a sports and health exposition Friday, Nov. 2, and Saturday, Nov. 3. A road race for kids on Saturday, Nov. 3 is also being organized.

Proceeds from event will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester.