Olympic marathon gold medalist Frank Shorter and other organizers of the U.S. 10K Classic have named Emory Heart Center one of the race's major sponsors.
Sponsorship of the 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) race scheduled for Sept. 2 offers the Emory community a host of fun, healthy opportunities --from vying for the $75,000 race purse with elite runners from around the world (including Shorter), to attending the Labor Day weekend Family Sports Festival.
Emory Heart Center cardiologist Paul Robinson is serving as race medical director, and Heart Center staff will provide medical support throughout the race. Emory faculty, staff and students may participate in the following ways:
* Run. Seasoned runners may go head-to-head with world-class runners. Weekend athletes may run or walk at their own leisurely pace; baby jogging-strollers are welcome. Other race categories include racewalking, wheelchair racing and in-line skating. The race begins at 7:30 a.m. at Cobb Galleria Center (near the intersection of I-285 and I-75) and continues north on U.S. Highway 41 (Cobb Parkway), finishing at White Water/American Adventures Theme Park. Entry fee is $20.
* Volunteer. In addition to providing medical support, Emory volunteers are needed before the race to assist with registration and during the race as course markers and to man water stations. All volunteers receive free T-shirts and free admission to White Water/American Adventures.
* Play. The Family Sports Festival is a two-day sports and entertainment festival scheduled Saturday, Aug. 31, and Sunday, Sept. 1, at the 10-acre Galleria Gardens located adjacent to the Galleria Center. Activities include interactive sports games, an extensive children's play area, sports celebrity autograph sessions, health and fitness equipment demonstrations, performance food item samples and booths with sports memorabilia, trading cards and athletic apparel. Early afternoon concerts at the Gardens Amphitheater will feature children's entertainers, and late afternoon concerts are geared to the whole family.
Call Nancy Anderson at the Emory Heart Center at 778-7740 for race applications, to volunteer to be part of the race day staff or for information on buying a Team Emory T-shirt.
-- Lorri Preston