Runners and walkers are invited to Locust Grove this month, to help the city put its best face forward.
The 13th annual Peach Stand Road Race is scheduled for May 25 at 8 a.m. in Locust Grove. The race will start and finish across the railroad tracks on North Jackson Street and wind through areas of the city.
The race is sponsored by, and a fundraiser for, the Main Street Locust Grove Program, said Sherry Moon, chairperson of the Main Street board and of the race itself. She is hopeful that 150-200 people will sign up to participate in the race.
“Locust Grove Main Street Inc., is a nonprofit organization,” said Moon.”Whatever proceeds we have from the road race, it just goes to support the Locust Grove Main Street mission, which is to preserve, promote and revitalize the historic downtown. We do two other events throughout the year besides the race.”
Moon also participates in the event each year. She said she enjoys the “community atmosphere” evoked by the race.
“I just love Locust Grove,” she said. “Being on the board, I just see it all coming together to make Locust Grove a better place.”
The route is certified as a qualification for the Peachtree Road Race, held every year on July 4 in Atlanta. Runners can participate in the Peach Stand Road Race in an effort to qualify for a better position in the July event.
Registration for the 5K is $30 through May 24, or $35 on race day, for participants age 18 and up.
For runners who are 17 years old or under, registration is $25 through May 24, or $30 on the day of the event. The sign-up fee for the one-mile walk is $20 from now until May 24, or $25 on race day.
A $5 discount is available for groups of 10 or more who are age 18 or older. For more information on the group rate, e-mail kilted timing@gmail.com.
Online registration will remain available until the start of the race. Race day registration and race day pickup will take place at 61 Jackson Street in Locust Grove from 6:45 a.m., until race time.
Phantom registration, for those who do not participate in the race but wish to purchase a T-shirt, is $20 through the day of the event.
Packet pickup will take place on May 24 from noon until 7 p.m., at NewSole Running, 1315 McDonough Parkway in McDonough. For more information on the packets, call Dave Jonson at 678-432-1244.
Parking will be available across from the former site of the old Gardner Fruit Stand off North Jackson Street.
Awards will be presented to the Top overall male and female and Top Masters male and female. Medals will be presented to the top three (3) male and top three (3) female 5K runners in several age groups.
Kilted Timing will use Jaguar Timing systems to provide live, real-time results and finish line photos for participants. Results will be updated throughout the race and can be accessed at anytime after the event via one of the following options: the ItsYourRace Mobile App, for Apple and Android users; text messaging for online registration only; scrolling results on a large TV screen; or online at ITSYourRace.com
Race participants can use the ITSYourRace platform to view and share finish-line photos on Facebook. Custom finisher certificates can also be downloaded from the results page at no charge. For more information on the race or sponsorship opportunities, contact Sherry Moon at 404-402-7832 or by e-mail at zebrahouse@gmail.com.
