The Vulcan Materials Quarry in Norcross will be the unique site of a new road race to benefit the Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation, Meadowcreek High School, Louise Radloff Middle School and Meadowcreek Elementary School. The Quarry Crusher Run, presented by the Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District, is roughly a 3.7 mile (or 7.4 mile) foot race that takes participants deep into the earth, in an active rock quarry, on a path that is rarely allowed to be accessed by the public.
The race challenges runners to climb back out, reaching grades of more than 10 percent for over a mile at some points. The race will kick off at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 21 at 1707 Beaver Ruin Road in Norcross.
The Quarry Crusher Run Series started in Columbia, South Carolina, in 2012 by a small group of community-minded citizens who wanted to work together with the Vulcan Quarry and the neighborhood. After a few years of running a small festival near the rock quarry entrance, the organizers came up with the idea to host a road race to kick off the day of festivities by running down into the quarry pit and back out. After four years, the two original organizers decided to take the race to the national scene, working with Vulcan quarries on the east coast. Four races are slated for 2016 -- Columbia, South Carolina, on April 16, Atlanta on May 21, Birmingham, Alabama, on June 11 and Baltimore on Sept. 24.
"We are so excited to take this truly unique race on the road and expand the opportunities for more runners to experience it in Atlanta" says Jaime Lomas, race director. "In a world of either typical road races every weekend or new fad races that are not very challenging to runners, we think the Quarry Crusher Run offers a different option for people looking for more."
Vulcan's Norcross Quarry has partnered with Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation to donate the proceeds of the race to support the Meadowcreek Cluster. The mission of the three schools, in partnership with the community, is to ensure high student achievement, facilitate character development and provide opportunities for leadership development through parental involvement and effective teaching.
Runners will receive a custom T-shirt, sponsor promotions and other freebies in their packets. Every race participant will also receive a finisher's medal upon completion of the race. Prizes will be awarded for overall winners and age group placers.
Registration is available online at quarrycrusherrun.com/atlanta. Package rates are available for participants who want to run more than one of the four races in the series. Children under 12 are not permitted to participate in the race. Walkers and people with strollers are also not allowed.
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