Atlanta Classic 10K Successful Despite Rain

It was cool, wet and cloudy, but approximately 350 runners from  Metro Atlanta area still descended on Mableton for the Atlanta Classic 10K road race.

The Atlanta Classic dual 5K & 10K races, hosted by Riverview Landing and Title Sponsored by Jamestowne Properties, was run - whole or in part - along the much debated Mableton River Line Project site. The site, when complete, will host a number of environmentally friendly, mixed-use developments to include a seven-acre green space and combination of farm, trails, play area and pet walking trail, says Riverview Landing Owner, Walter Brown. There is already a half acre of corn planted and growing on the site.

James "Jay" Lowe, race director and owner of Georgia Cup was on hand, along with Georgia Cup Director of Operations Lora Drapeauand veteran race Emcee Tim Davis, who kept everyone informed and entertained for both races.

Karlton Mitchell ran the 5K in blazing fashion and crossed the finished line nearly before the 10K horn sounded.

"It was an exhausting but fun race," said Mitchell, who captured the lead in the first 10 seconds and never relinquished it. Mitchell is a red-shirt junior at Morehouse College who will be running for the Tigers.

The 10K course was a bit more of a "beast" compared to the relatively flat 5K. 

"The rain wasn't that bad, but the hills surprised me. It was not an easy race," said Jamal Lacour, who finished fourth overall for the 10K. "There were three pretty good climbs included, and I expected it to be a bit more flat."

On hand for today's race was a team from Black Girls Run.

"We're a national organization founded by Ashley Hicks and Toni Cary. The primary mission of the group is to address issues such as diabetes, obesity and dispel the stereotype that black females don't like to exercise and aren't health conscious," says  Tes Sobomehin, an ambassador for the group. "The Atlanta chapter is the largest contingent of the organization with membership at nearly 1,900 members."

A more intimate story is that of Jason and Bethany Jones, with their friend Jackie Marin, crossing the finish line hand-in-hand.

Mrs. Jones said,"This is on our checkoff list and we've been training for six weeks. Prior to this race, I've never jogged in my life, so this is my very first race ever."

Gerri Vaughn, the 60-and-over winner stated,"This is not something I normally do, but I walked one of these with my son three months ago and decided to do it again."

And it's a good thing she did, as she walked away with some hardware.

The next race scheduled for the site is a dual 5K and 10K race called Run for the River, which is a component of the Riverview Fall Festival, taking place on Nov. 5. Additionally, the festival  will include a bike race. Collectively, the events will benefit the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, whose mission is to advocate and secure the protection of the Chattachoochee River.

Results:

5K Men's Winners     (1st) Karlton Mitchell (2nd) David Parsons (3rd) Brian Aiken

5K Ladies' Winners   (1st) Mary Cameron (2nd) Tina Staten (3rd) Laura Rifkin

10K Ladies' Winners (1st) Jessica Vihon (2nd) Maria Williams (3rd) Kim Heck

10K Men's Winners  ** There was a discrepancy in the results, so Patch will report final results once the details once resolved.