28th Annual Peachtree City Classic to Host “Shadow Run” in Iraq

In the tradition of the Peachtree 10K that several years ago began to host a “shadow run” for American troops in the Middle East, the Peachtree City Classic will follow suit and host a 5K for American and Iraqi soldiers stationed at Al Kindi Army Base near Mosul as part of their annual Peachtree City Classic this year. Captain Ivan Hurlburt, a member of the Mobile Training Team (MTT) stationed there contacted the Peachtree City Running Club this summer asking about the possibility of the club sponsoring such an event. Race Director Marino Fuentes enthusiastically embraced the idea and it took off from there.

The Peachtree City Running Club announced that plans are well underway for the 28th running of the Peachtree City Classic 15K and 5K road races. The races will take place Saturday, October 18th, along the scenic golf cart paths of Peachtree City and simultaneously at Al Kindi Army Base in Mosul. The Classic is one of the most popular runs not only in Georgia, but in the Southeast as well. The race is unique in its use of paved cart paths for the race. This scenic race is run mostly on the paths through the greenbelt areas, by lakes, through small tunnels, in the beautiful planned community of Peachtree City. The 5K “shadow run” in Al Kindi will take place on a hard packed road inside the perimeter of their compound. The Al Kindi finishers will also receive special T-shirts sent by the running club designating it as the PTC Classic “shadow run.”

The 15K was voted the best 15K course in Georgia by Georgia Athlete Magazine and always a sellout, so participants are strongly encouraged to register early. Once again the Road Runners Club of America named this race its RRCA National 15K Championship Race, and the United States Track and Field has named it their USATF Georgia Association 15K Championship Race.

The Classic actually consists of three different races: a women’s 5K, a men’s 5K, and the 15K open. All races are run on separate TAC-certified courses, and start and finish at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater. The 5K races for men and women are open to the first 800 entrants in each category. The popular 15K is open to the first 1500 entrants.

All finishers in the different races will receive a special technical shirt to mark the 28th year of this Classic event. There will also be random drawings for assorted prizes, but participants must be present to win. RRCA Awards will be presented to top three male and female finishers overall and in the master’s category, and also to the top three male and female finishers in each of 14 age groups. USATF Championship medals will be awarded to the top five Open Male and Open Female runners. You must be a USATF member to be eligible for the USATF awards.

A Pre-Race Expo will be held at the Fred Brown Amphitheater on Friday, October 17th, from 5:00 - 8:00 PM. A Race Day Expo will be held on Saturday from 7:00 – 11:00 AM also at the Frederick Brown Amphitheater. The Expos will include health and fitness products, sponsors, and selected vendors.

Applications are available at various locations in Peachtree City, Newnan, and Fayetteville, including local recreation departments, libraries, and sporting goods stores. Applications are also available at some of the sponsors of our race, including Chic-Fil-A, Ultimate Fitness, Talbot State Bank, Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center, FC&A, and Publix. You can also register on line at www.ptcrc.com If you have any further questions about the race, you can send e-mail to ptcclassic@bellsouth.net.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
Community News You Can Use
---