Registration Opens For Sandy Springs Lightning Race

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- Registration is now underway for the 26th annual Sandy Springs Lightning 10K/5K.

The race serves as the official start of the 31st annual Sandy Springs Festival, the popular two-day event held Sept. 17-18 at Heritage Green.

The races, which are Peachtree Road Race qualifiers, will be held Saturday, Sept. 17.

The longest-standing race in Sandy Springs began in the fall of 1990, and was spearheaded by longtime festival volunteer Doug Kessler.

Known as the “festival fun run,” the race ultimately became the Lightning 10K because Kessler encouraged participants to “run like lightning” while they were racing. Kessler was committed to improving and growing the race each year until his death in 2005.

Kessler’s wife, Margie, continues to play an instrumental role in planning the event her husband held so close to his heart, saying “it is a great event for our city and continues to serve as a wonderful tribute to Doug’s memory."

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The 10K will start at 7:30 a.m. while the 5K will kick off at 7:50 a.m. Both courses are USAT-Certified, and the races feature chip timing to electronically record the runners’ times.

Advance registration, which ends at 11:59 p.m. Aug. 15, is $30 for the 10K and $25 for the 5K. After that and through 11:59 p.m. Sept. 15, the price jumps to $35 for the 10K and $30 for the 5K.

“With its flat course, the Lightning 10K offers an exceptional PR opportunity for runners,” said Race Director Cody Elder. "This is why so many hopeful Peachtree Road Race participants like to use this race as a qualifier.”

For those who like to push things off until the last minute, runners and walkers can register the day of the event at 6:30 a.m. Sept. 17 at the Sandy Springs United Methodist Church Activities Center Parking Lot, which is located at 85 Mt. Vernon Highway.

Race-day registration is $35 for the 5K and $40 for the 10K.

Runners may also register in advance online at www.sandyspringslightning.com.

Racers receive a complimentary high performance technical T-shirt (not guaranteed for those who register after Sept. 1), free entry into the Sandy Springs Festival with their race shirt and giveaways from sponsors.

Visit the event website for additional details.

For more information about the festival, visit www.sandyspringsfestival.com or email events@heritagesandysprings.org. You can also follow the festival on Facebook and Twitter.

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