For Fredericksburg Police Chief David Nye, training for the inaugural Marine Corps Historic Half marathon has provided an added opportunity to keep an eye on the city he’s in charge of protecting.

As he runs, usually in the mornings, he makes note of graffiti that needs to be reported, remnants of late-night activity that need attention and other details that may not be as apparent to someone driving by in a car.

“You see all kinds of things,” said Nye, 50, who has run three Marine Corps Marathons (1981, 1982 and 1996) and two half-marathons.

For Nye, training for distance races provides a goal that helps him stick to his workout routine.

He said he was drawn to the Historic Half by the appeal of participating in the inaugural running of the race.

“I wanted to be a part of that,” he said.

He’s not the only Fredericksburg official you’ll see out on the course.

Eight city officials, and some of their family members, will don light-blue “Team Fred” T–shirts for today’s race.

Running with Team Fred are Nye, City Attorney Kathleen Dooley, City Manager Phillip Rodenberg, City Council members Kerry Devine, Debby Girvan and George Solley, Police Cpl. Bill Hyer and Police Officer Barry Taylor.