Tour deCatur: Running is a Family Affair

On March 24, Decatur hosted its namesake race --Tour deCatur. This is one of those events where the whole community comes out to support it. At the Decatur elementary schools, students participated in track clubs to train for the 1-mile race distance.

This was my second year running the race with my daughter and husband. And it was one of my proudest moments as a runner. I loved watching my child complete the 1-mile course while maintaining a steady pace. I was watching a budding athlete and my future running partner come to life.

My pride was shared by hundreds of parents who joined their children on the race course. More than 800 kids participated. My neighbor Nick ran the 5K distance with his 3rd-grader. It was great to see his son’s excitement and anticipation as he prepared for his first 5K race.

Proceeds from the event directly benefit Decatur schools through the Decatur Education Foundation. It funds educational programs in the schools and provides financial aid to students and their families whose situation may impact the child’s success in school. One of the foundation’s programs provides “Book Fair Bucks” to students who otherwise would not be able to purchase books on their own.

A love of running and a love of learning … thank you Decatur Education Foundation for hosting an event that delivers both to our community.

Sunshine Gives a Warm Welcome to Decatur’s Run with The Dogs Frostbite 5K

This time last year, metro Atlanta was preparing for the “snowpocalypse.” What a difference a year makes.

Mother Nature delivered a warm greeting to Decatur’s first 5K of the year. With temperatures in the mid-fifties and flashes of sunshine, it felt more like an early spring race than the start of January. It was enough to have me singing hallelujah.

I loved this race for several reasons:

- A late-morning start time of 9 a.m. (who doesn’t love sleeping in?)
- The race start is a ten-minute jog from my house (no need for MARTA or a car)
- Proceeds benefit Decatur schools
- Four-legged runners (a.k.a. dogs) welcomed
- A winding and interesting course

As a Decatur resident and runner, I thought I knew every street in the city. But the course for this race let me discover a few more. The Frostbite 5K was the first race in the Team Decatur Grand Slam Fitness Challenge. Team Decatur is open to residents who are interested in meeting their neighbors while participating in road races. Other races that are part of the Grand Slam series include Tour deCatur 5K, Take Back the Night 5K and the Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk.

Looking for more January races? Here are a few to consider:

MLK Day 5K – January 16
This Buckhead road race invites runners to register their school, PTA, church or favorite charity as a race beneficiary. Dozens of local organizations are already listed as recipients. The race kicks off at 9 a.m.

Tartan Trot 5K/10K – January 28
St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church hosts this annual Dunwoody event. Proceeds benefit a variety of community organizations and ministry programs supported by the church. Both the 5K and 10K races start at 8:30 a.m.

Atlanta Mission 5K – January 28
According to the event site, Atlanta has more than 8,000 homeless men, women and children and the Atlanta Mission serves nearly 1,000 of the homeless every day. Runners are encouraged to set up individual fundraising goals. All registration fees and fundraising directly benefit the Atlanta Mission. The race starts at 8:30 a.m.

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

Tour deCatur: Run for Kids with the Kids

Most road races are geared towards adults. Sure, you’ll typically see a handful of kids running with a parent. But for the most part, it’s grown-ups who are running the races. That’s not the case with Tour deCatur.

Started by Kira Wilsterman, who’s the P.E. Coach at Clairemont Elementary, Tour deCatur is geared around kids. Decatur elementary schools host track clubs that help students train for the race’s 1-Mile Fun Run. Last year’s event hosted 1,200 participants – with school-age kids representing a notable number of the runners. Proceeds from Tour deCatur support schools in Decatur through the Decatur Education Foundation.

My husband and I have been runners for years, so I was excited to sign my child up for the track club team at her school. Tour deCatur will be our first opportunity to run a road race as a family and I hope the experience will foster a love of running for her.

Interested in joining the fun? There’s still time to register for the race. Sign-up online until March 22 (that’s tomorrow) or at the event (registration starts at 7:30 a.m.). The 1-Mile Fun Run starts at 8:45 a.m. and the 5K race kicks-off at 9:15 a.m.

Atlanta Spring Road Race Roundup

Trees are blooming and daffodils are sprouting … sure signs that spring is just around the corner. Ready to hit the pavement with fellow runners? Here’s a roundup of races to check out.

ShamRock ‘N Roll Road Race – March 13
Get into the spirit of St. Patty’s day with the Junior League’s annual race. Got a kilt? Wear it during the race for a chance to win a $250 Belk gift certificate. The event features both a 5K run and 10K that’s a qualifier for the Peachtree Road Race. Strollers and dogs are welcomed. As an added bonus, runners are eligible for a variety of discounts at Atlantic Station shops and cafes by showing their race bib.

Publix Georgia Marathon & Half-Marathon – March 20
It’s the big race of the spring running season. And there’s still time to sign-up – online registration closes March 16. This is one of my favorite races – terrific routes through Atlanta neighborhoods and convenient access to MARTA. With Publix as this year’s sponsor, there’s sure to be a great selection of post-race food. Not up for running the 13.1 or 26.2-mile distance? Grab a cup of coffee and join one of the neighborhood cheering stations.

Tour deCatur 5K & 1-Mile Run– March 26
This is truly an event designed for families. Last year’s race hosted more than 1,200 runners, with several hundred school-age kids among the participants. In fact, Decatur elementary schools host track clubs to help kids train for the 1-mile fun run. Proceeds benefit the Decatur Education Foundation, which supports educational programs and offers assistance to students in need.

Emory PA 5K Charitable Fun Run – April 2
For intown runners, this Druid Hills race is a convenient option. Physician Assistants’ students at Emory University host the annual race to help fund healthcare programs that serve the needy in Georgia. Proceeds from the event benefit Camp Sunshine, the South Georgia Farmworker Health Project, and the American Academy of Physician Assistants. As an added bonus, the first 250 race registrants get free breakfast and coffee from the Waffle House.

Run Before You Crawl 5K – April 9
Yes, you guessed it – this event mixes a road race with a pub crawl in East Atlanta Village. Fortunately, the race takes place before the drinking kicks off. With a 9 a.m. race and 10:30 a.m. start for the pub crawl, it does seem a bit early for the alcohol-infused festivities. But, as the event organizers claim on the site “…it will be 11:30 in Nova Scotia, and that’s nearly noon.” Register by March 13 and the combo race/pub crawl fee is $27; it increases to $32 afterwards. If you plan on drinking, consider a designated drive since the MARTA rail line is not conveniently located near East Atlanta Village.

Sweetwater 420 Fest 5K – April 16
What’s not to love about this race … an 11 a.m. start time, beautiful intown neighborhood, convenient MARTA station and free beer. The Sweetwater 420 Fest is a great local gathering with festival food and bands. You can spend the day (or the weekend) hanging out. The race bib tear-offs are redeemable for a free beer plus festival wristband. Proceeds benefit the Candler Park Neighborhood Organization.

Big Peach 5K Walk/Run – April 30
The folks at Big Peach offer a fun racing experience through the streets of Buckhead and Brookhaven. The race kicks off at the Brookhaven MARTA station and ends at Big Peach’s store location. Post-race, runners are treated to food, prizes and music in the parking lot of the Cherokee Plaza Shopping Center.

Girls on the Run 5K – April 30
I’m a big fan of this organization, which operates running programs for girls aged 8 to 13 to foster a healthy lifestyle and self-confidence. During the spring 5K race, GOTR participants “graduate” by running the race with their team mates, coaches and family. West Stride in Buckhead plays host to this year’s event. Proceeds from the race benefit the scholarship fund for Girls on the Run of Atlanta.

Lauren’s Run 5K & 2K Fun Run - May 1
Lauren Zagoria and Lauren Kochman were two little girls who shared a legacy – both succumbed to childhood cancer. In honor of their memory, runners will gather at the Concourse Office Park in Sandy Springs in support of pediatric cancer research. For an additional donation of $25, runners can pay tribute to a friend or loved one affected by cancer. Tribute signs will be placed along the 2K race course. Registration is available at the event site.