U.S. 10K Classic draws 10,000 racers

Sports

U.S. 10K Classic draws 10,000 racers

The U.S. 10K Classic in Cobb County drew 10,000 racers who competed over a hilly course in Marietta.

Meskerem Legesse, 20, of Ethiopia, is all smiles as she crosses the finish line to win the women's U.S. 10K Classic event Monday in Cobb County.

Men's winner Simon Ndirangu, 21, of Kenya, crosses the finish line.

A group of runners begins the race, which is an annual event on Labor Day.

Wheelchair racer Jimbo Boyd, 49, of Alpharetta, makes his way up one of the many hills on the course.

Scott Stokes nears the top of a hill on Cobb Parkway.

Christina Young, 13, of Kennesaw, competes in the race.

Jason Fowler of Smyrna keeps a close eye on his competition.

Competitors in the National Inline Skating Championships portion of the race come up a hill.

Skaters make their way along the course.

Cyclists compete in the 10-kilometer T-Mobile Womens' Cycling Sprint race.

Chris Scott, 21, of Tampa, collects his thoughts before the race early Monday.

Scott Bolch, 18, of Marietta, decides to run the last yards backwards this morning -- and he did it without tripping! Bolch is a Marietta High graduate who now attends Auburn University and competes in triathlons.

Reggie Howze, 63, of Decatur, shows the strain of a tough, hilly course near the end of the race.

Marko Horn of Tallahassee nears the finish line toting his son Lars, 1. Lars was content in dad's backpack most of the race, but Marko said he got a bit cranky near the end so dad carried him the last few yards.

Jan Campbell, 40, of Kenneaw, enjoys the end of the race.

Sharon Simmons, 44, of Lithonia, is all smiles as she crosses the finish line. This is her fourth year to run this race.

Cyclists make their way at the at the finish of the 100-kilometer men's bicycle race.

Daniel Higgins, 32, of Jasper, Ga., totes his stepdaughter, Karlee Urlaub, 5.

Paul Amodio, 68, of Dallas, Ga., seems content near the end of the race. Amodio is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

Lorna Loh, 43, of Marietta, gives it her best effort not far from the finish line.

Paul Aufdemberge, 41, of Redford, Mich., is the first masters men's runner to finish the foot race.

Christopher Pounds, 11, of Monroe, Ga., finishes. It was his second time to run the race.

Ava Jordan of Atlanta celebrates after crossing the finish line.

Friends Chamblee Abernethy (left), 38, and Bromley Metz, 41, cross the finish line together. Abernethy lives in Athens and Metz in Atlanta.

Stephen Carpenter of Vinings nears the finish line with his daughter Siena, 8 months old.

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Meskerem Legesse, 20, of Ethiopia, is all smiles as she crosses the finish line to win the women's U.S. 10K Classic event Monday in Cobb County.

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