Summer’s Here … And So Are Plenty of Atlanta 5Ks

The temperature is rising, but that doesn’t mean the race schedule slows down. In fact, there are more than 25 road races taking place in the Metro Atlanta area just in the month of June. Lace up your shoes and join your neighbors.

Atlanta Children’s Shelter – June 11
This race takes place in Piedmont Park, which is a favorite spot for runners. As you probably guessed from the event title, proceeds support the Atlanta Children’s Shelter (ASC). The Shelter assists homeless families by providing free, quality daycare for children.

Hand Around the Hill/Race to House the Homeless – June 11
Grant Park is one of Atlanta’s loveliest historic neighborhoods and runners will get to see it up close during this 5K race. The event benefits two organizations dedicated to serving the homeless – Central Night Shelter and Central Outreach & Advocacy Center. The race starts at Talmadge Park, located at the corner of Mitchell and Washington Streets.

Dash4Dad – June 18
Here’s a unique way to celebrate the Father’s Day weekend-- run a 5K that raises money to prevent deaths from prostate cancer. The race kicks-off in the parking lot of the Dunwoody Home Depot at 8 a.m. All proceeds benefit ZERO – The Project to End Prostate Cancer. It’s part of a nationwide series of races that support prostate cancer research.

Save Our Skin – June 25
In its 5th year, the Save Our Skin 5K aims to foster awareness about skin cancer. Dermatologists are on hand to provide free skin cancer screenings for participants from 7 to 10 a.m. The race takes place at Perimeter Mall.

Race Review: Take Back The Night 5K

For the past few years, I’ve wanted to run this race. But my bad habit of procrastination meant I always missed registering for the event. Not this year. I got my act together and signed up the day before the race.

And it was great. A good neighborhood turnout in Decatur, an evening start time and tasty post-race food. I’m a big fan of races that don’t start in the morning – after all, I’m already getting up early for work 5 days a week. The course was hilly, particularly at the start. After the race, runners were treated to pizza and frozen yogurt. I’m sure it was a bit of challenge to keep the yogurt cold, but it was the best post-race treat I’ve ever had – a nice change from bananas and dry bagels.

The event was in support of the DeKalb Rape Crisis Center (DRCC) and it’s part of Decatur’s Grand Slam series, which encourages Decatur residents to participate in 4 out of 6 neighborhood races. The t-shirts displayed along the fence featured messages of hope and survival – which appear to have been created by clients of DRCC.

Sweetwater 420 5K: Fun Beer Run Could Be Greener

The Sweetwater 420 5K had three features that I love in a race:

1.) Late morning start time (11 a.m.)

2.) Great intown route (which I could bike to)

3.) Beer after the race (who doesn’t love beer?)

And it was a fun race. The weather was sunny and slightly warm and the route was enjoyable. The Sweetwater 420 Fest bills itself as an eco-conscience event with the tag line “We’re here for a good time. She’s here for a long time.” wrapped around an image of planet earth. Like a lot of people these days, I strive to be environmentally responsible. However, I felt certain aspects of the race could have been more eco-friendly.

Here are my ideas on making the Sweetwater 420 5K a greener event:

No water stations Waxed-coated water cups littered the street at the two water stations along the route. For a 5K, there’s really no need for hydration stations – especially for a race hosted in April where heat is not an issue. Wax-coated cups cannot be recycled. Instead, hand out plastic water bottles at the finish line.

Reduce trash - Sell beer in commemorative mugs While music is a big part of the fest, the real star is Sweetwater’s beer. And lots of it is sold at the event in plastic cups. The recyclable cups proudly promote being made from plant-based plastics, yet I saw a lot of them dumped in waste bins designated for trash instead of the recycling bins. Let’s face it -- people under the influence of beer don’t always make the best decisions. Instead of serving each beer in a new plastic cup, sell the first beer in a commemorative mug (for $2 or $3 more) and refills for $6 each. The result will raise more money for community organizations and reduce festival trash.

Offer a compost bin for banana peels At the end of the race, runners were offered bananas and bagels while they waited to get their festival wrist bands. With 2,000 runners, that produces a lot of banana peels. Instead of throwing food trash in a waste bin, why not offer the option of a compost bin? The compost could be used to fertilize the landscape around Candler Park.

Overall, this is a fun event and I’m glad a local company like Sweetwater is an advocate for conservation. I plan to share my ideas with the folks at Sweetwater and I’ll let you know what I hear back from them.

UPDATE 5/9/2011: Both the Candler Park Neighborhood Organization and Sweetwater provided feedback on my ideas which I shared in a new blog post.

Here’s the 5K route from yesterday’s race:

• Start on McClendon Avenue (by Epworth United Methodist Church)

• Head west, running past Candler Park

• Turn right on Euclid Terrace

• Veer right onto Euclid Avenue

• Turn left on Fairview Avenue

• Turn right on S. Ponce de Leon Avenue

• Turn right on Fairview Avenue

• Turn left on Oakdale Road

• Turn left on North Avenue

• Turn right on Candler Park Drive

• Turn right on Benning Place

• Turn left on Oakdale Road

• Turn left on McClendon Avenue

• Turn left on Candler Park Drive

• Finish at the corner of Miller Avenue and Candler Park Drive

Tour Decatur Race Recap

What a terrific day for a run! Over 1,700 people signed up for this neighborhood race in support of Decatur schools. And it was truly a community event. Each Decatur elementary school fielded a team of students (joined by parents) while Decatur High School students served as event volunteers. As a parent, it was a great experience to run the 1-Mile Fun Run with my child and her friends. We ran the city block that circled around Decatur High and the school’s football stadium. At the finish line, student runners proudly received a medal to commemorate their success. The 5K runners hit the road after the Fun Run – and the rain fortunately held off until after the race.

Tour Decatur celebrated its ninth year and race organizers do a great job of running an efficient yet friendly and slightly informal event. Despite the number of people who participated in the race, I saw several friends and neighbors – and that makes an event really fun. Proceeds from Tour Decatur benefit the Decatur Education Foundation which serves the needs of students in the Decatur school system.

Looking for a good 5K route? Here’s the course for yesterday’s Tour Decatur:

• Start at Decatur High School on N. McDonough Street

• Head south, running past the high school and turn right on Howard Avenue

• Turn right on Commerce

• Turn right on W. Trinity

• Turn right on N. McDonough (head past the high school again)

• Turn right on Howard

• Turn right on Patillo Way

• Turn left on Greenwood Circle

• Turn right on Ridley Lane

• Turn left on Hibernia

• Turn right on Greenwood Circle

• Turn right on Howard Avenue

• Turn right on Adair

• Turn right on Ponce de Leon

• Turn right on Trinity

• Turn right on N. McDonough

• End at Decatur High School

Atlanta Runners: Don’t Miss Out on These Holiday Races

Had your fill of Thanksgiving leftovers? Take a break from holiday shopping, eating and parties to hit the road with Atlanta runners. The following races promise a festive atmosphere to get you in the spirit.

Santa’s Safety Run 5K – December 5
Safety is key benefit with this race – proceeds support Inman Park Public Safety. With a great running neighborhood like Inman Park and a start time of 10:30 a.m., what’s not to like about this race? Strollers and dogs are welcome too! Early registration closed today, but you can still sign-up at Active.com or on race day at the event.

Jingle Jog 5K & Elf Run Tot Trot – December 11
The event’s web site promises a festive race – complete with jingle bells for runners’ shoes, food, holiday music and a Santa’s playground complete with pony rides. The Costco parking lot on Peachtree-Dunwoody Road serves as the start and finish line. It you plan to run, please bring a toy - the Salvation Army will be on hand to collect toy donations for its Christmas toy drive. The 5K starts at 8 a.m. and the tot trot kicks-off at 9 a.m.

Virginia-Highland Christmas 5K – December 18
While not the easiest neighborhood to park in, it sure is a great place to run. This annual event is limited to 1,000 runners and organizers expect it to fill-up early. The first 500 registrants get Santa Hats to wear during the race. Runners will line up near Fire Station #19 to start the race. Sign-up available at Phidippides or at Active.com.

ATC Resolution Run 5K & 10K – January 1
For those runners (me included) who indulge a bit too much during the holidays, this race promises to get you on the right track. Fortunately, the race start is at noon – allowing runners a little extra sleep on New Year’s Day. Keep in mind that the 5K and 10K races do not allow strollers – if you want to bring the family, consider the 1-mile fun run and the 50-meter tot trot.

This week’s route is from the Virginia-Highland Christmas 5K. Enjoy!

• West on Los Angeles, Pass Crestridge Drive
• Turn Left on Elkmont Drive
• Turn Right on Park Drive
• Turn Right on Orme Circle
• Turn Right on Elkmont (Orme Circle merges to Elkmont)
• Turn Left on Brookridge Drive
• Turn Left on Amsterdam Ave – Amsterdam merges into Courtenay
• Turn Right on San Antonio Ave
• Turn Left on Amsterdam Ave
• Turn Left on Kings Court
• Bear Right on San Antonio – follow to Courtenay Ave
• Turn Right on Courtenay Ave
• Turn Left on Greenland Ave – stay right on Greenland – merges to Hillpine
• Turn Right on Wayne Ave
• Turn Left on Courtenay Ave
• Turn Left on North Highland Ave and proceed 90 yards to North Morningside Dr
• Turn Left on North Morningside Drive
• Go 1/10th mile and turn Right into Morningside Presbyterian Church lot to the Finish Area

Atlanta Runners: Lace Up for October Races

Can you believe it? It’s nearly mid-October yet the temperatures have been flirting near the 80-degree mark. Not exactly fall weather, but that won’t keep runners sidelined. October is a popular month for road races in Atlanta. Whether you’re looking for a Halloween-themed event or a charity run, there are a lot of options to choose from. Here are a few to consider:

Monster Dash – October 16
Break out the Halloween costume early and head down to Grant Park for this family-friendly race. Costumes are encouraged and strollers are welcomed. The 5K race starts at 8:00 a.m. Got a little monster? Register them for the Little Goblin Run which starts at 8:50 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Grant Park Cooperative Preschool.

Gold Rush 5k – October 16
Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Atlanta? Head to Dahlonega. The Gold Rush 5K starts and ends at North Georgia College & State University. Enjoy the scenic run through downtown Dahlonega. The race starts at 8:00 a.m.

Candler Park Fall Fest 5K – October 23
No need to wake-up early for this race – the start time is 11 a.m. (hallelujah!). Plus a great neighborhood course that’s close to Marta. After the run, stick around for festival food, beer, art and live music. Registration is available at Active.com.

The Morningside Mile – October 24
Are you fast? Strut your stuff and earn cash prizes. The showdown takes place at noon. Not only are the prizes good ($250 for the fastest male and female finishers), but so is the block party. Show your race number at the party and get a free Sweetwater beer or a yogurt. Doc Chey’s is a sponsor, so you can count on good food too.

Be The One Run – October 30
Planning to indulge in Halloween candy? Burn a few calories before your sugar-laden snacking begins at this Halloween-eve run. This is a new race event, with the first taking place in Atlanta at Atlantic Station. The race aims to encourage people to become part of the National Bone Marrow Donor program’s registry. Along with the 8:00 a.m. 5K run, there’s a tot trot at 9:15 a.m.

Run Like Hell 5K – October 30
What better way to celebrate Halloween than run a race through a cemetery? Atlanta’s famous Oakland Cemetery serves as the site for the race course. You’ll get to run past the final resting place of notable Atlantans, including Bobby Jones and Margaret Mitchell. Proceeds benefit the cemetery’s restoration.

UPDATE: Run Like Hell 5K reached it's maximum number of runners this week. Registration is closed. And yes, I'm bummed for procrastinating because I really wanted the T-shirt for this race!

Evening Road Races? Yep, Atlanta Does Have a Few.

I recently received an e-mail from a fellow runner who was looking for information on nighttime races. For a variety of reasons, most road races start between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Morning start times make it easier for race organizers to limit disruptions to car traffic and help runners avoid warm weather.

But what if you’re not a morning person? No worries … here are a few upcoming races to consider:

Alpharetta PAL 5K Challenge – August 26 at 7:00 p.m.
Sponsored by Jackson Healthcare, the event benefits the Alpharetta Police Athletic League. The race starts and finishes at Jackson Healthcare’s offices, located at 2655 Northwinds Parkway in Alpharetta, between Haynes Bridge and Kimball Bridge roads. No need to eat a quick dinner before the race … organizers will serve a pasta dinner to race participants. The cost is $25 and registration is available at Active.com.

Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk 5K – September 16 at 7:00 p.m.
The streets of downtown Atlanta belong to runners for this evening race. Starting under the Olympic Rings, the course travels through downtown and ends at Turner Field. You can sign up as part of your company’s team or as an individual runner. There’s also a food drive taking place with the event, so please consider contributing a few canned food items. Want to run? Register directly at the event site.

LexisNexis Windward Challenge 5K – September 29 at 6:30 p.m.
Work in Alpharetta? Instead of happy hour, consider hitting the streets for this Wednesday night race. Hosted by LexisNexis, the event starts at the company’s headquarters on Alderman Drive. Have a four-legged running partner? This is a dog-friendly event. Proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta. Registration available at Active.com.

8th Annual Autumn Breeze 5K – October 3 at 3:00 p.m.
Tallulah Gorge State Park is nearly 2 hours from Atlanta, but the beautiful scenery may be worth the drive. The course runs along Tallulah Falls Lake and across the Tallulah River. Arrive early and enjoy the park’s breathtaking sites before the race. Visit Active.com to register.

Halloween Day Race Offers Family Fun

I’m a fan of events that support local schools. Here’s one that offers something fun for every member of the family.

Oakhurst Preschool Cooperative hosts its 3rd annual Beat the Street for Little Feet at Candler Park. The event includes both a 5K and 1-mile race plus a fun run for kiddies. After the race, stay for the children’s festival. Activities include live music, a costume contest, face painting and food. The 5K route is available at the event site. Register at Active.com or at your neighborhood Big Peach Running Co. Proceeds from the race help the school provide tuition assistance and classroom supplies.

Have an old pair of running shoes lying around? Donate them at the race to Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program. Nike’s site features a cool video showing how old shoes are deconstructed and repurposed for a variety of play surfaces.

It’s Fall … Get Out and Run Atlanta!

It’s almost the middle of October and Run Georgia’s Race Calendar shows over 50 race events scheduled for the remainder of the month. There’s no excuse not to get outside and run. Here are a few races to consider:

Big Peach Fall 5 Miler – October 17
If you’re in Marietta, don’t miss this race. Big Peach always hosts a great event. The course runs through the neighborhoods of East Cobb. Register at any Big Peach Running Co. location.

Monster Dash 5K and Little Goblin Run – October 17
You gotta love a race with a Halloween theme. The beautiful neighborhood of Grant Park hosts this family-friendly event. While online registration closes October 12, you can sign-up on race day.

Atlanta Dog Jog – October 24
Looking for an easy run with your four-legged friend? This event offers the choice of a 1 or 2-mile course. If you run the 2-mile course, you and your pup are eligible to win. Awards given to the top three finishers in the small, medium, and large dog categories.

Run Like Hell 5K – October 31
What better way to kick-off Halloween festivities than a race through Oakland Cemetery. Run past the headstones and mausoleums of Atlanta’s most notable dead. Proceeds benefit the cemetery’s restoration efforts.

Callaway Gardens Twilight 10K – November 7
It’s not likely you’ll find a more scenic course in November. Spend the evening running through gardens and holiday lights display. The race is limited to the first 500 registrants. It’s a qualifier for the Peachtree Road Race.

Cabbagetown Romp and Stomp 5K – November 7
Looking for an intown run? Check out the Cabbagetown Romp and Stomp. After running the quick course, race participates can celebrate over a bowl of free chili. Registration is available online at Active.com or at Big Peach Running Co. locations.

The Inside Scoop of Volunteering at a Road Race

Over the past 10 years, I’ve run in a variety of races – from fun runs to half marathons. I was always amazed at the number of volunteers who came out to operate the event and cater to runners. For big events, like the Peachtree Road Race, hundreds of helpers are needed. I decided it was finally time to get a different experience from a road race by serving as a volunteer.

The Fall Five was a new 5K race in my neighborhood that benefitted a local school. I’ve helped manage large-scale events for my company, but I figured there was a lot I could learn by volunteering at a local road race.

As with any event, there are many details to coordinate – like a web site and online registration, traffic cones to mark the route, signs to alert neighbors who live along the route, along with safety pins for race numbers and food and water for runners. On top of that, you also have to deal with the weather. Atlanta has seen rain all week and Saturday was no exception for the race. Runners found shelter at Navo Church as they waited for the race to start – a nice offering that most running events can’t easily provide.

I tried to help out wherever I could. Since I’m not the quiet type, I landed the job of race announcer. This meant I got to talk a lot on a bullhorn, which was fun. Along with starting the race, I also cheered the runners as they neared the finish line. I got a glimpse of what it meant to be a race director. You’re the person that everyone looks for to make decisions and keep the show running. It’s a tough, demanding job that requires a lot of dedication. While I’m not looking to lead a race anytime soon, I plan to look for more opportunities to volunteer. It’s a worthwhile experience for every runner.

This week’s running route is the course from the Fall Five. A map of the course is available at WalkJogRun.net.

· Start at the corner of Oakview Rd and Spring St.
· Head north on Oakview, towards East Lake Dr.
· Cross East Lake Dr.
· From Oakview, turn right on Adams St.
· Turn right on Hill St.
· Turn left on McKoy St.
· Run through McKoy Park
· Exit McKoy Park and turn right on Spring St.
· Turn left on Oakview Rd.
· Turn right on 2nd Ave.
· Turn right on 3rd Ave.
· Turn right on East Lake Dr.
· End at East Lake and Oakview

Get Ready for Fall Road Races

If you’re looking for a running event, you’ll find plenty to choose from in September. Rungeorgia.com lists more than 25 races in the metro Atlanta area. Here’s a sample of the races offered next month.

U.S. 10K Classic – Sept. 7 (Labor Day)
East Cobb is home to this multi-sports event. It hosts runners, cyclists, inline skaters, wheelchair athletes and walkers. Proceeds benefit children’s charities in Georgia and World Children’s Center.

Avondale Estates Labor Day 5K – Sept. 7 (Labor Day)
Avondale Estates is one of my favorite neighborhoods to run. There’s no online registration for this race – you’ll need to send the form by mail or drop it off at city hall.

Corporate Challenge – Sept. 10
Billed as the world’s largest office party, the route runs through Downtown Atlanta. It starts and ends under the Olympic rings on Hank Aaron Drive. CEOs who want to compete against their fellow execs get designated bibs and a separate finish line.

Decatur-Dekalb YMCA Fall Five - Sept. 19
I’m a fan of races that benefit local neighborhoods and schools. The Decatur Fall Five is a new 5K race that raises funds for College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center. The route runs through the Oakhurst neighborhood in Decatur.

East Atlanta Village Strut 5K Run/Walk - Sept. 19
This 5K race kicks-off a day of festivities, music and fun. The route starts at Portland and Brownwood Avenues. Stick around for the day to enjoy concerts, the artists market and the neighborhood parade.

Big Peach Sizzler 10K – Sept. 26
A MARTA-friendly event, it starts at the Chamblee station and ends near the Buckhead station. The race is USATF certified and serves as a qualifier for the 2010 Peachtree Roadrace. Register at a Big Peach store and get your race number before the event.

This week’s running route is the 5K course for East Atlanta Village Strut. Click here to access the route map.

Hit the Hills during Virginia-Highland’s Summerfest 5K

It’s been quite a few years since I last ran Summerfest. My lingering memory of this event is the hills -- lots of them. Virginia-Highland is one of Atlanta’s great intown neighborhoods and it hosts one of the best festivals in the area. The course rambles through the area’s quiet side streets and avoids most of the retail district along Virginia and North Highland Avenues. Proceeds from Summerfest events benefit neighborhood projects, including park improvements and public libraries. After the race, you can grab a cup of coffee and wander through the artists market that runs along Virginia Avenue.

The race is scheduled for Saturday, June 6 at 8:00 a.m. It starts at the intersection of Virginia and North Highland Avenues. Early registration closed rather early (on May 19). The race fee is $25, which includes a Summerfest t-shirt. Race packets can be picked up on the day of the event. You can sign-up at Active.com, by mail, or at Phidippides’ Ansley Mall location. A map of the race course is available at the USATF site.

A Race Event That Could Save Your Life

A unique 5K event offers multiple health benefits for runners. The SCAN Foundation (Skin Cancer Awareness Network) hosts its third annual race next Saturday, May 23 at Perimeter Place. Starting at 7:00 a.m., dermatologists will offer complimentary skin spot checks. At last year’s event, doctors found one melanoma, and several basal cell carcinomas and other pre-cancerous lesions.

Why is it important for runners to pay attention to skin cancer? Here are a few facts to consider:

· Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S.
· More cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year than breast, lung and prostate cancer combined
· Approximately 90% of all skin cancers result from over exposure to ultraviolet light or sunlight

Warm weather often means runners spend more time outside, which makes their skin vulnerable to over exposure. Runners can reduce their risk by using sweat-resistance sunscreens. While cancer is scary, the good news for skin cancer diagnosis is a 96% cure rate when it’s discovered early.

Registration for the race is available at SCAN’s site, at Active.com or at Big Peach Running Co. locations. You can also sign-up at the event. The race starts at 8:00 a.m. The running route is available at SCAN’s site