Pro juggler Ted Joblin plans to joggle his first half marathon Saturday.

Of the 30,000 runners expected to start the Country Music Marathon and half Marthon this weekend, some will be pushing strollers. Others will be wearing costumes. And a few will be “joggling.”

It’s a niche sport within a niche sport – juggling while running.

Professional juggler Ted Joblin has done 5k’s, but never a half marathon. “Joggling” through a park near his house, he weaves through a crowd – good practice for the start of Saturday’s race.

“I’m watching where I’m running, where I’m stepping, people that are around me. Taking a left here. And then figuring out the best way to pass people who are walking.”

Joblin says he gets a lot of double-takes, but he contends the sport mash-up isn’t as weird as it sounds. The swinging of the arms while running is similar to the juggling motion. And, he says, concentrating on keeping his balls in the air takes the edge off 13 miles of boredom and potential pain.

“I’d never been a runner in my life. And juggling while running distracted me from my legs hurting. Now, it’s just more fun than running without juggling.”

Jogglers have done the Country Music Marathon before, and race officials say they don’t how many will be this year. But in terms of other head-turning runners, organizers say they do have a team of six who plan to wear a Chinese dragon costume.

Web Extra

Dave Quint says in this video he too will joggle the half marathon Saturday.