AthHalf Deserves Full Support from ADDA Board, Director Says

Last July, the Athens Downtown Development Authority (ADDA) Board of Directors voted not to give any money to a half marathon that raises money for AthFest Educates! That non-profit gives musical instruments to Clarke County public school children and also music lessons.

But because the race ended in the UGA Stadium, and not downtown, board members felt the race wasn't a downtown event and thus, didn't deserve any Community Events Program funds. These are used for festivals and events that promote a sense of community and which bring people downtown.

On Tuesday, AthFest Director Jared Bailey urged the ADDA board to allocate money to AthHalf this year. These are some reasons why:

* In 2012, the half-marathon brought 3,000 + people to the Classic Center on Saturday to pick up their race packet and materials. Many of these people spent the night in a downtown hotel, ate at a downtown restaurant, shopped in a downtown store. This year, there will be 3,500 runners, so close to 5,000 people will be downtown for the race.

* The race starts in downtown, though it does end at Sanford Stadium. When it ends, people come back to downtown.

* The CEP funds are not for "profitable" events. The half marathon raises money for AthFest's non-profit AthFest Educates! The Twilight Criterium, which has been a for-profit event for 35 years, Bailey said, received CEP money.

In 2012, in addition to the Twilight Criterium, the CEP funds were given to AthFest, the Hot Corner Festival, the Athens Children's Film Festival, the Downtown Parade of Lights and the Human Rights Festival.

Correction: Twilight has been a non-profit for three years, with money going to Habitat for Humanity.

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