If you're gearing up to run this year's AJC Peachtree Road Race on July 4th, you've probably begun your training. If you're in need of some practice runs, we have a few race suggestions including dressing as your favorite Star Wars character, running for mom and racing a few hills to remember our fallen heroes on Memorial Day.
May 4
May the Fourth (Miler) be with You, 4 Miler, Brook Run Park, Dunwoody, 6:30 p.m., $35
Attention Star Wars nerds. The single most important day of the year is upon us. Run like the wind as a Wookie, chase Darth Vader down to the finish line or channel your inner Skywalker and celebrate the day when the Force lives within us all. Don your finest Star Wars duds and be eligible to win prizes for best costume in the Galaxy (not so far away.) Limited to 500 participants. Race swag includes tee shirt. Star Wars-themed age group awards.
Brook Run Park, 4770 Georgia Way South, Dunwoody, Ga. 30339. www.fivestarntp.com/May_the_Fourth_be_with_Y.html.
May 7
MamaBear 5K/10K, Peachtree Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, 8 a.m., 5K $25, 10K $35, Cub Run $15
Run a few miles to celebrate your mom, being a mom or that mother-figure in your life on Mother's Day weekend. This race encourages the whole family to gather for a morning of racing fun to honor moms of all kinds with a 5K, 10K and even a cub run for the littlest fans of the big M. Race swag includes tee shirt. Age group awards. Raffle prizes.
Peachtree Presbyterian, 3434 Roswell Road NE, Atlanta, Ga. 30305. www.mamabear5k.com.
Midtown Race for MAC 5K, Piedmont Park, 8:30 a.m., $30
Planning a run on Saturday morning in beautiful Piedmont Park? Why not race with a few hundred friends for a good cause while you're at it? Celebrate Midtown Assistance Center's 30th anniversary and help raise more money to continue their fight against homelessness and hunger in Atlanta. Race swag includes tee shirt. Age group awards. Race stays within confines of the park.
Piedmont Park (near main pavilion,) 400 Park Dr., Atlanta, Ga. 30306. www.rungeorgia.com/macrace5k.html.
May 14
Blue Cross Blue Shield Georgia Peachtree Junior, 3K, 1/2K, 50m, Piedmont Park, 8:30 a.m., Starting at $10
Let your kids experience the thrill of the Peachtree Road Race with this junior edition in Piedmont Park. The annual event brings kids from ages 1 to 14 years old together for a morning filled with PRR fun and fanfare including age-appropriate race courses, prizes and awards. Swag includes tee shirt and race bling to wear around their necks after the finish. New to the Junior this year, all 3K participants will be timed with Chronotrack on their race bibs. Rain or shine. Post-race festivities on the Active Oval.
Piedmont Park, Atlanta, Ga. www.atlantatrackclub.org/2016-peachtree-junior.
Firefly Run 5K, Piedmont Park, 7:45 p.m., $35
Light up the night to benefit Out of the Darkness and suicide prevention as you run around Piedmont Park lit up like a Christmas tree, covered in LEDs or battery-powered twinkle lights in a 5K for human fireflies. This evening run will dole out prizes for coolest costumes, include a race course filled with lighted trees and archways, a post-race dance party, lots of lasers and, best of all, swag like a high-performance race tee and a nifty mystery prize.
Piedmont Park, 1342 Worchester Dr. NE, Atlanta, Ga. 30306. www.thefireflyrun.com/locations/atlanta2016.
The Rock & Comet 5K/12K, Rock Campground RV & Music Park, Rockmart, 8 a.m., 5K $30, 12K $40
Run a few miles on the beautiful trails of the Silver Comet in this USATF-certified race. Choose a fast 5K to get your weekly speed work in for this year's AJC Peachtree Road Race or use the 12K as your long run for 7.5 beautiful miles which includes the Silver Comet's spectacular Brushy Mountain Tunnel. Swag includes race tee. Age group awards with prizes. Raffle prizes. Rain or shine.
Rock Campground RV & Music Park, 130 Forsyth Lake Road, Rockmart, Ga. 30153. www.greateratlantaathletes.com/rock--comet-12k5k.html.
May 21
Kettle Krush 5K, Piedmont Park, 8 a.m., $25
"Different season. Same reason." is the theme of this 5K benefiting the kettles of The Salvation Army. There's no better feeling than racing for the betterment of others while taking in the beautiful grounds of Atlanta's Piedmont Park. A portion of the funds raised will go toward local Salvation Army programs including clothing shops, shelters, rehabilitation services and fighting hunger.
Piedmont Park (large pavilion), 1342 Worchester Dr. NE, Atlanta, Ga. 30306. www.salvationarmyatlanta.org/kettle-krush-5k-race.
May 30
Memorial Day 5K/10K, LA Fitness, Marietta, 7:30 a.m., 5K $30, 10K $35
Honor our fallen heroes, kick off the unofficial start to Summer and prepare your legs for the AJC Peachtree Road Race with a race around the hills of Marietta. All racers who are active duty and retired military service members will have their race entry fees waived to say "Thank you" for their service. All participants qualify for free entry into the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. Age group awards. Race swag includes tee shirt. 10K participants will receive a finishers award at the completion of their race.
LA Fitness, 2550 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta, Ga. 30062. www.fivestarntp.com/Memorial_Day_5K_10K.html.
