Long Time Racer to Hit 31st Annual Peachtree City Classic

He hasn’t run all previous 30 Classic races, but he ran the first one in 1981, has run most of them since, and plans to run the next one this October. In 1981 Bill Brackin was living in Riverdale and heard about a race over in Peachtree City that he wanted to do. He ran it and was so impressed with the scenic cart paths, that he decided he wanted to move to PTC to live. He did just that a couple of years later and has been a fixture in the Fayette County road racing scene ever since. Bill says that as best as he can recollect, the race started and finished at City Hall in those early days. But as the race grew in stature and popularity, it eventually moved to the Fred Brown Amphitheater where it still is today. Bill will be lacing up his shoes again this year for the 31st edition.

The races will take place Saturday, October 15th, along the scenic golf cart paths of Peachtree City. It 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 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. This year’s race director, George Martin, is looking forward to the using computerized timing chips for the tenth consecutive year.

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 commemorative edition technical shirt to mark the 31st year of this Classic event.

A Pre-Race Expo will be held at the Fred Brown Amphitheater on Friday, October 14th, from 4:30 – 8:30 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 World Gym, Ultimate Fitness, T&G All Sports, Smith and Davis, Play It Again Sports, and AIS Computers. 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@aol.com

Fayette Senior Services Adds 10K to Annual Run/Walk and Establishes New “Fayette Charity Classic” to Benefit Fayette County Non-profits

Fayette Senior Services (FSS) annual March For Meals 5K/1 Mile Run Walk will have a new look and expanded purpose when the 4th annual event is held next year on March 17, 2012. Thanks to help from the City of Fayetteville and the Fayetteville Police Department, FSS will be adding a challenging new 10K route to its existing 5K and 1 mile run/walk. In addition, FSS has renamed the event The Fayette Charity Classic with proceeds to not only benefit non-profit Fayette Senior Services, but other Fayette County charities as well. The Fayette Charity Classic 10K as well as the 5K will both be USA Track and Field (USATF) certified and qualifiers for the Peachtree Road Race.

Dawn Davis, FSS Health, Wellness, and Program Manager is the event’s race director. Davis worked closely with Capt. Lynn Crawshaw of the Fayetteville Police Department to develop the route that begins at Fayette Senior Services Life Enrichment Center located at 4 Center Drive in Fayetteville (across from the Fayette County Justice Center). Says Davis, “By expanding the event to include a 10K we are able to leverage the success of our former March For Meals Run/Walk. Our goal was to attract a larger audience to a fitness activity and in turn increase awareness–and financial support–for the programs and services that we provide to our community’s seniors.” Davis adds, “We then took our expanded event one step further and designed it to help other Fayette County charities, many of which continue to face challenges as a result of the current economy. It’s a win-win for Fayette Senior Services, the charities who wish to participate, and the community as a whole.”

Event details and registration packets are still being finalized and are expected to be available soon. Anyone interested in receiving more information should send their name, address, and phone number to FCClassic@fayss.org.About Fayette Senior Services, Inc. For more than 30 years, Fayette Senior Services, Inc. (FSS), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, has been making a meaningful difference in the emotional, social, and physical well-being of older adults; preserving their independence, improving their quality of life, and connecting them to the community. FSS offers supportive services such as Meals On Wheels, Transportation, In-Home Personal Care/Homemaker Services, Information Assistance, Care Management, and more. For active older adults age 50 and better, Fayette Senior Services Life Enrichment Center offers a wide variety of social, leisure, fitness and recreational activities and the award-winning Ultimate Café. For more information visit www.FayetteLifeEnrichment.org or call 770-461-0813.

Peachtree City: 5K to Stop Sex Trafficking; Wellspring Living, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

5K run sponsoring Wellspring Living, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to aid in the rehabilitation and restoration of women and children who have suffered childhood sexual abuse and exploitation. The Stop Injustice Run draws more than 250 participants each year around the Atlanta area. Teams of 12 or more are encouraged to register and name their team by August 26th in order to have team name listed on the T-shirt. Prizes will be given to the 1st and 2nd place runners in each division. Each participant will receive a T-shirt and official time card.

WHY: To benefit the organization’s recovery homes and educational and therapeutic programs designed for women and children seeking a refuge from human trafficking.

Registration Fee: $30

Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 8:00 a.m.

The Bridge Community Center
225 Willowbend Road
Peachtree City, GA

***BACKGROUND: There are approximately 100 girls under the age or 18 who are sexually trafficked on a typical night in Georgia. The average life expectancy of a girl in forced prostitution is 7 years with homicide or HIV/AIDS as the cause of death. Wellspring Living offers residential rehabilitation programs and advocates for victims of childhood sexual abuse and exploitation.