It’s time once again to test your running and riding mettle in the fifth annunal Pave the PATH 10k/5k/2k Run/Walk and Metric Century Poker Ride on May 19 in Olde Town. A few new elements have been added to enhance the experience. Along with the 10K USATF-certified course (a 2013 Peachtree Road Race qualifier), a 5K run has been added to the line-up. Leisure rides through Old Town will be departing from the Depot Welcome Center at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m., with a Kid’s Ride at 10:30 a.m.
In the Metric Century Ride, two 31-mile loops through the city and county, a luck-of-the-draw feature has been added. “Each rider receives cards at the start, finish and at each rest stop, and prizes will be given in order of those with the best poker hands,” said PATH Race Steering Committee Chair Brent Taylor.
Significant progress has been made in the last year on the 10-foot wide path in Rockdale County. In addition to the completed Olde Town Trail extending to the Rockdale Career Academy, construction has begun to join the trail to Johnson Park, which will link to the new 2.4 mile trail at South Rockdale Park, which will eventually meet the Monastery’s Arabia Mountain trail.
Locals from all walks have incorporated the new paths as part of their healthy lifestyle. Olde Town Runner Erika Sellers is a path fixture and has lost over 50 pounds in the last year. “I’ve gained a better me,” she said. After picking one son up from Lorraine Elementary School and before heading back to retrieve her daughter from Davis Middle School, busy mother Marissa Rivera-Davis regularly visits the trail at South Rockdale Park with sons Jeron and Jaxon.
The PATH events, presented by the Conyers Bicycle and Trail Coalition, aims to raise awareness about transportation alternatives and proceeds will benefit PATH trail construction and other educational endeavors. Conyers received an honorable mention as a Bicycle Friendly Community in 2011, and the Coalition’s goal is for the community to achieve Silver Level status to put Conyers in company with Decatur, Athens and Savannah.
For runners, walkers and Metric Century riders registering before May 4, the event fee is $25, after that the price increases to $30. The cost for children 10 and under is $10, or free if they do not want a t-shirt. All events start at the Welcome Center at 901 Railroad St. in Conyers. The 5K begins at 7:45 a.m. followed by the 10K at 8 a.m. and the 2K at 8:10 a.m. The Metric Century Ride begins at 9 a.m. For more information or to register, visit www.conyerspavethepath.com or www.active.com.
