Atlanta Fall Races are Just Around the Corner

Believe it or not, Labor Day is only weeks away. And with fall comes the promise of cooler weather. There are plenty of road races scheduled for the fall running season. Here are a few to check out.

Big Peach Sizzler 10K – Labor Day (September 5)
While Peachtree Road in Buckhead is usually crowded with cars, runners get to own the street during this race. It kicks off at the Chamblee MARTA station and ends at the Buckhead Station Shopping Center. And you can get a head start on your Peachtree Road Race qualifying time. Proceeds from the event support research and families affected by Cystic Fibrosis. Register online or at Big Peach locations.

Avondale Estates Labor Day 5K – September 5
Avondale Estates is one of my favorite neighborhoods to run through. Wide streets, rolling hills and charming homes. With a 9:00 a.m. start, runners get a chance to sleep in a bit before hitting the streets. The event benefits the ALS Association, an illness better know as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Register online or at the Avondale Estates City Hall.

Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk – September 8
Join your co-workers and compete for the title of “Most Fit Company” in Atlanta. Turner Field plays host to the race. More than 15,000 participants are expected – fortunately, walkers will line up behind runners and will be advised to stay to the right of the race course. Participants are encouraged to support the Atlanta Community Food Bank by bringing canned food. More information is available at the event site.

Legal Run Around 5K – September 10
Who knew lawyers had a sense of humor? The Atlanta Bar Association hosts this annual run in Piedmont Park. Proceeds benefit a scholarship fund of children of Atlanta police officers killed or severally injured in the line of duty. Not up for the 8:30 a.m. start time? Support the event as a phantom runner. Registration and details available at RunGeorgia.com.

FirEdUp! 5K – September 17
Virginia-Highlands is a great running neighborhood. And the residents have a strong commitment to serve community needs. This race functions as a scholarship fundraiser for college-bound seniors at Grady and Washington High Schools. The 8:30 a.m. start kicks off outside Atlanta Fire Station 19, located at the corner of Highland and Los Angeles. As an added bonus, runners get hosed down by a fire truck on the course. Registration available at the Phidippidies Ansley Mall, Fire Station 19 or online at Active.com.

This week's running route:
Looking for a shady neighborhood course? Check out the race route for the Avondale Estates Labor Day 5K.

West Stride Delivers the Goods for Marathon/Half-Marathon Training Runs

I’ve been looking for motivation to kick-off my training for the Publix Georgia Half-Marathon. I found it at West Stride yesterday morning. The store was packed with runners who showed up for 8:00 a.m. training runs for the upcoming marathon and half-marathon. West Stride’s owner, Genie Beaver, offered a variety of routes to choose from - 5.5 miles to 18 miles through the neighborhoods of Buckhead. Knowing the route was hilly, I opted for the 5.5 mile run with the 2-hour half-marathon pace group. It was a great way to start my race training.

Post-run, West Stride made sure we were well fed. Thanks to Publix, there was yogurt, fruit, water, bagels, donuts and sports cookies. Caribou Coffee provided the caffeine.

For those of us who stuck around, Genie hosted a workshop on tips to improve running form and performance with Kyle O’Day from Continuum Sports Solutions. Here’s a recap of the advice Kyle offered:

1.) Posture Matters: It’s the foundation of good running form. Maintain a posture that allows you to run tall; it helps to imagine that a string is gently pulling your head up.

2) Coordinate Arms and Legs: Pay attention to how you carry your arms – they act as a counter-balance. By coordinating the movement of your arms with your legs, you'll get a 3% boost in efficiency. Keep arms relaxed, move from the shoulder and keep swing moving from front to back. Brush your hands by the top of the hip or top of the pocket.

3) Don’t Aim for Long Strides: The more time your back foot spends in the air while in mid-stride, the less efficient your movement. After your foot comes off the ground, move it quickly to the front to improve your cadence. Don't keep knees high or the back foot dangling too long.

Here are the directions for the 5.5-mile route I ran:

· From West Stride, run through the parking lot towards West Paces Ferry
· Turn left on West Paces Ferry (watch for traffic)
· Turn left on Northside Drive
· Turn right on Valley Road
· Turn right on Tuxedo Road
· Turn left on Tuxedo Road (it splits just prior to Northside Dr)
· Turn right on West Paces Ferry and run back to West Stride

Peachtree Road Race: 55,000 Runners hit the Streets of Buckhead & Midtown

That grand old southern event, the Peachtree Road Race, celebrates 40 years of great running. For many local runners, it’s a traditional start to 4th of July festivities. The race starts at Atlanta’s most popular shopping district – at the corner of Lenox and Peachtree Roads.

Elite runners start at 7:30 a.m. while the last group of runners hit the road just before 9:00 a.m. Given our recent burst of summer humidity, it’s gonna feel hot out that at the starting line. But no need to worry since there will be plenty of water stations and bands along the route to keep runners moving.

Not into running the race? Join the thousands of spectators along the course to cheer on the runners. The Atlanta Track Club’s race site lists locations for viewing the event.

Thanks to the end of our multi-year drought, the finish line is back at Piedmont Park. Local runners that I’ve talked to are thrilled to return to the race’s long-established route.

Good luck runners!