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Final Projects, Sports

How 5Ks Contribute to the Community

Classic City Running Culture: How 5Ks Contribute to the Community

 

The 5K Experience

 

On a cold winter morning, as knuckles are chapped and windshields are frozen over, runners flock to Smith St. to line up for the annual UGA Miracle Donut Dare.

 

The directors of the race are decked out in American Flag jumpsuits as they scream through the megaphones to awaken runners for their impending 5K. Music is playing and t-shirts are quickly being distributed as runners assume the position to begin the journey through campus.

 

The cold is not the only factor making this race arduous, as runners are led to eat 10 donuts in the middle of the race and continue the trek to the finish line right outside of the UGA tennis courts.

 

By the time the runners sign their name cards to record their times with cold hands full of sugar, they are officially a part of a community of runners participating in philanthropic events.

 

The UGA Miracle Donut Dare is one of the many 5Ks that are conducted in Athens-Clarke County. The runners that participate are full of energy and they care about issues that can be addressed through 5Ks.

 

The Athens Runner Spirit

 

“I think the running culture is really strong here in Athens,” says Allie Myers, 3rd year student studying marketing and international business with a minor in German from Snellville, GA. “Running is vibrant in Athens.”

 

Myers is one of the many Athens residents who attempt to run every day, regardless of the time of day or night.

 

“I know my freshman year I would go on really late night runs at like 10PM, 10:30… but I also like running in the mornings,” says Myers.

 

In the city of Athens, GA, runners can be seen at all hours of the day and night. Running is a common hobby in the classic city, and the amount of opportunities to participate in group-runs, 5Ks and individualized routes are endless.

 

UGA Miracle’s Doughnut Dare 5k in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, January 21, 2011. (Photo/Devin Webb, devinwebb2@gmail.com)

 

Athens 5Ks

 

Almost every Saturday morning in Athens, there is a 5K race occurring to raise awareness or money for a certain cause. The funds often go towards the Athens-Clarke County community, or towards other philanthropic endeavors outside of the town.

 

For some runners, 5Ks are a time to participate in an event aimed at specifically benefitting a cause that is dear to them. For some, it is a time to have fun by enjoying the specified theme laid out by the creators of the race. For others, 5Ks are simply a way to remain healthy and fit in an enjoyable manner throughout Athens.

 

“We’re getting more local runners, or the number of local runners is growing,” says Jared Bailey, creator of AthFest, an organization aimed at raising money for children throughout Athens at events like the AthHalf half marathon (Morales.) “Basically, the running community in Athens is growing.”

 

With the running community increasing in Athens, the amount of 5Ks is increasing as well. Several student organizations produce 5Ks that raise money for different entities.

 

An example of a student-led 5k is the annual UGA Miracle Donut Dare. The Donut Dare follows a well-used course throughout the University of Georgia campus. The course begins at Stegeman, goes by Sanford Stadium, and targets many points that experienced Athens runners know far too well.

 

The Donut Dare is no conventional race, as it includes devouring ten donuts in the middle of the run. The race also occurs during the winter, so the donuts are nowhere near the heat level when the “Hot Now” sign is working.

 

“It was brutal. At the time I was actually in pretty good shape, but eating 8 donuts and running again after consuming that much sugar greatly impeded my running ability,” said Benjamin Eady, 3rd year political science and international affairs major from Oxford, GA.

 

Eady said, “It was a fun and lighthearted atmosphere with undertones of pain and frustration due to consumption of delicious but deadly Krispy Kreme donuts.”

 

In 2015, the Donut Dare generated $17,000 for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Drake.) Each year the race creates significant funds for the hospital, and is a primary event of the yearlong fundraising efforts of UGA Miracle.

 

For many Athens residents, running specific 5Ks has become somewhat of a tradition. Yearly races provide opportunities for families and friends to come together and enjoy time spent outdoors with their loved ones.

 

“My family does a traditional run every year, the Dog Trot, which is through the Alumni Association,” says Chip Chambers, 2nd year student studying biology and economics from Watkinsville, GA.

 

The specific courses also add to the 5K experience. Data collected on mapmyrun.com show that Athens, GA has 14,943 routes tracked by runners (Map my Run.) Many of the specific 5K routes are run throughout campus or on the more flat surfaces. The city of Athens is full of hills, and race directors often lean towards creating a route that does not have excessively strenuous hills.

 

 

Here is an interactive map showing the one course allowed by the UGA Recreation Department for outside groups to use:

Media is not available right now – ThingLink

Media is not available right now – ThingLink

The Process

 

5Ks involve many members to create a successful event. Directors of specific runs plan for months in order to effectively produce a run. Preparation ranges from stuffing runner packets to gathering volunteers to assist in cheering on runners or passing out waters. The specific factors can require going over the routes several times to ensure a seamless runner experience for all participants.

 

“For larger events, often times community members will gather at different mile markers to support the runners throughout the course,” says Eady. “It does a great job of engaging the community.”

 

Community engagement is created by the idea of running, cheering others on, and it sometimes relates to the direct theme of the individual 5k. The Dog Jog brings dog lovers together to run not only with their friends, but also alongside their beloved animals. The Donut Dare brings college students and other residents alike together to brave the cold and the heavy donuts in the middle of the race to raise money for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

 

The directors and organizers of the 5K races are almost as varied as the themes of the different runs. Many student organizations completely organize the races on their own. Other running organizations including Athens Running Company and Fleet Feet Sports organize runs for community members.

 

Different leaders who have experience organizing runs for individuals in Athens include David Shinholser of Fleet Feet Sports, Leslie Trier and Kent Kilpatrick of Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services, David Laggis and Mark Schroeder of Athens Running Company and Julie Thompson, president of the Athens Road Runners.

 

These individuals are passionate about running, and have made significant commitments to enhance the running experience for runners in the community. By organizing group runs open to the entire community, directing 5Ks and selling quality running shoes so individuals do not have to drive to Atlanta to receive the best in running apparel.

 

The routes also play a major role in the runner experience. On the Map My Run website, there are over 4,000 recorded runs made by individuals throughout the community. However, when it comes to 5K races, similar courses are used. With Athens having several hills that add extra challenges to running, flatter surfaces are implemented as much as possible. Benefits of using similar routes are that runners are familiarized with the courses, and they are easier than very hilly areas. Cons of using similar routes are the lack of variety.

 

The running culture is Athens is one that is distinct. Members of the Athens running community run together, plan races together, and cheer for each other as they cross the finish line.

 

5K races make the running community come to life, in ways that often benefit others through raising funds. The different race themes add to the variety in interests displayed by runners. The streets of Athens rarely go without runners passing over them, regardless of the time of day or night. With passionate leaders in the running community, and students and residents showing continued interest in 5Ks, the running culture will remain distinct and supported.

To view 5Ks firsthand through social media posts and videos, check out this Storify! https://storify.com/ckeen/athens-5ks

 

 

Works Cited

 

“Athens Running Trails.” http://www.mapmyrun.com/us/athens-ga/. 11 Apr. 2017.

 

Chambers, Chip. In-person interview. 11 Apr. 2017.

 

Drake, Kallie. “Take the Dare: UGA Miracle hosts Doughnut Dare 5K.” The Red & Black. 29 Jan. 2016. Web. 19 Apr. 2018.

 

Eady, Benjamin. In-person interview. 12 Apr. 2017.

 

Morales, Kristen. “Runners Are Getting Organized as the Sport Grows.” Flagpole. 16 Oct. 2013.

 

Myers, Allie. In-person interview. 11 Apr. 2017.

MOTS, Sports

Biker Safety in Athens

Sharing the roads of Athens, GA can be challenging for bikers and drivers alike, according to data from interviews conducted by University of Georgia students over the past two weeks.

Twelve students were interviewed about their thoughts regarding bike lanes and safety for both cyclists and drivers. Several students voiced frustration with the size of the streets and the aggression of drivers. However, some were content with the status of cyclist safety.

“Generally I feel safe, meaning there’s always room for improvement,” said Jim Stradley, 51, who manages The Hub Bicycles in Athens, GA. As far as cycling goes, Stradley suggested cyclists “give space when appropriate and take space when it’s possible.”

Echoing a need for improvement, Jaico Celka, a sophomore from Suwanee, GA said, “I personally would be nervous to ride a bike in Athens. I feel like a lot of cars think they own the road more than bicyclists do.”

In Sept. 2016, a University of Georgia graduate student was killed and two others were injured while biking when struck by a drunk driver, according to a Red & Black article.

Citizens in Athens were angered as this incident was not the first of its kind.

“I would say this is infuriating and is happening too much,” said Athens attorney David Crowe. “We have a tight knit cycling community in Athens and on the group rides I do, we are always obeying the rules of the road and trying to be good stewards.”

Students interviewed expressed similar sentiments concerning the need for increased safety for cyclists.

“Drivers, like while they’re in the city, should be more consciously aware,” said Nick Johnson, a sophomore sports management major from Lilburn.

According to an article by the Red & Black, Athens-Clarke County has the highest amount of bike-car collisions in the state of Georgia.

Data collected by Georgia Bikes and the University of Georgia shows that Athens is the only city where the fault of the accident more often falls on the driver of the vehicle rather than the biker.

Bailey Smith, Junior International Affairs Major

When asked how she felt on bikers affecting her safety as a driver, Bailey Smith, junior international affairs major from Rocky Mount, Carolina said that the concern was, “not so much my safety as much as like theirs.”

Blake Cleary, Junior Computer Science Major

 

Smith discussed the difficulty of driving through neighborhoods and how cars take up the full lanes pushing cyclists in difficult positions.

Not all students are cyclists, but sensitivity towards those that ride bikes seems to be increasing.

“My computing ethics professor actually bikes everywhere and is a big advocate for bikes in the Athens area,” said Blake Cleary, junior computer science major from Rowell, GA. “So he’s kind of given me a bigger heart for biking in Athens.”

 

 

 

 

Sources

In person interviews with Laura Allen, Ashley Gruber, Cara Silcox, William Lanzilotta, Brian Molley, Jim Stradley, Bailey Smith, Blake Cleary, Wilson Alexander, Jaico Celka, Daniyal Tahir, Nick Johnson, Cole Wilson, Kemani Miles, Lee Jourdan.

UGA graduate researcher killed, two other cyclists injured by DUI suspect in east Athens

A University of Georgia graduate researcher was killed and two other bicyclists were injured Monday evening in east Athens by a suspected impaired driver. Ashley Block, 25, who was a graduate stude…

http://www.redandblack.com/athensnews/athens-clarke-county-works-to-protect-safety-of-cyclists/article_1d13ff7e-cbb7-11e5-8b64-c3fdfe8f72b4.html

Backgrounder, Sports

AthHalf CAN YOU ADD SOMETHING TO MAKE THIS A HEADLINE, NOT JUST A LABEL

Competing in Sanford Stadium is a dream few thought they could achieve. That changed for many runners as they ran their final lap beside the hedges to the finish line.

The AthHalf gives runners of all ages the opportunity to run through Athens. The route guides runners though several of the city’s distinct locations. The race encompasses Milledge Avenue, Five Points, Bear Hollow Zoo and ends with a victory lap through Sanford Stadium.

Mary Lollis Jones, a junior at the University of Georgia studying agribusiness, participated in the AthHalf for the first time in 2013. Although Jones did not train extensively, she fondly recalls the race as one of her best moments in Athens.

“The feeling is indescribable,” Jones said in an interview. “I think everyone should do one if you have never done one.”

(Status used with permission of Mary Lollis Jones.)

Since 2009 the AthHalf has been a prominent fundraiser and half marathon for the city of Athens. According the AthHalf website, the race occurs every October bringing in thousands of runners.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the main purpose of the organization is to promote excitement and involvement for music and the arts.

The AthHalf is a fundraiser under the larger nonprofit AthFest Educates. AthFest Educates aims to give to programs involved with increasing the artistic and cultural opportunities within Athens-Clarke County.

According to a report by the Athens-Banner Herald, AthFest Educates has given more than $190,000 in monetary assistance so far.

The AthHalf affects the economy of Athens in different ways. According to Flagpole magazine, the Athens Downtown Development Authority refused to give funding for the race in 2013. In an interview, Jared Bailey, Athens-Clarke County commissioner and former Executive Director of AthFest Educates stated he was disappointed by the decision.

“I’d like to see us put a little more into events because, as you know, events create tourism, and tourism is economic development,” commented Bailey.

The last AthHalf occurred Oct. 9, 2016, and this year will mark the eighth year of the AthHalf.

“It was one of the best experiences of my life,” Jones said. “It’s truly a milestone that everyone needs to complete.”

 

Uncategorized

Exercise #5

As a native of Dublin, GA the news of my small town is rarely breaking. During a twitter search I found that discussions involving Dublin, GA were mostly about events going on downtown, at churches and different places to eat. The biggest incident in the last few months was when an active shooter began firing in the local hospital. The most active twitter member that posted about Dublin, GA was the Courier Herald, a local newspaper. Every week the Courier Herald would post “pictures of our past” and discuss historical stories related to Dublin. Tornado warnings, high school sports and tweets about an Italian restaurant were the primary topics posted.

I am not surprised by the discussions on twitter. As a small town, big events are rare and news breaking stories are difficult to come by. The presence of Dublin, GA on twitter may be small, but the topics discussed are well known to each and every citizen.

Contributors

Anna-Martin Murphy

Anna-Martin Murphy is a sophomore from Buford, GA. She chose to major in public relations because she enjoys telling stories and learning about the perspectives of others. She enjoys listening to Rainbow Kitten Surprise and spending time serving families through UGA Miracle. Murphy has always been a Bulldog fan and the opportunity to attend football games as a student was one of the many reasons she chose to attend the University of Georgia.

She tweets at annamurphmartin.