Sandy Springs Lightning 10K/5K Set For Sept. 23

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- Registration is now open for the 27th annual Sandy Springs Lightning 10K/5K, the race that serves as the official kick-off for the popular Sandy Springs Festival.

The races, honored traditions for the festival, will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23. Both the 5K and 10K courses are USAT-Certified and the races feature chip timing to electronically record the runners’ times. Known for FAST and FLAT courses, the races are also popular AJC Peachtree Road Race qualifiers.

“We are thrilled to continue the 27-year tradition of the Sandy Springs Lightning 10K and 5K races,” said Festival Director Sarah Poland. “We are also excited to announce that this year, your furry friends will be able to participate as well! The Sandy Springs Festival has always been a pet-friendly event, so we wanted the race to reflect this too. We look forward to welcoming all members of the community – both young and old, and both two-legged and four-legged.”

The longest-standing race in Sandy Springs began in the fall of 1990, spearheaded by the energy of longtime Sandy Springs 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.

• RELATED: Sandy Springs Festival Returns Free of Charge In September
  

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 that Doug held so close to his heart.

“It is a great event for our city and continues to serve as a wonderful tribute to Doug’s memory," Margie Kessler added.

Runners may register in advance online. Racers receive a high performance technical T-shirt, complimentary water and post-race snacks and giveaways from sponsors. Everyone is encouraged to register early in order to take advantage of early bird pricing, as well as to guarantee a T-shirt.

For the procrastinators, race-day registration will begin at 7 p.m. Sept. 23 in the parking lot of the Sandy Springs United Methodist Church Activities Center at 85 Mt. Vernon Highway NW.

*T-shirts are not guaranteed for those who register after Sept. 8.

The 2017 Sandy Springs Lightning 10K/5K is sponsored by the Sandy Springs Society, city of Sandy Springs, Sandy Springs Hospitality & Tourism, Kroger, Whitehead & Associates, Burn Boot Camp Sandy Springs, BodyFitz, PT Solutions, Southern Recipe Snacks and Sandy Springs United Methodist Church.

The 32nd annual Sandy Springs Festival will be held from 9 a.m to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24 at Heritage Green, which is at 6075 Sandy Springs Circle, and the surrounding area.

For the first time in the event’s 32-year history, the festival will be presented free of charge to the community. For more information, visit the organization's website, Facebook page or email events@heritagesandysprings.org.

Image via Heritage Sandy Springs