Lace up your running shoes, gear up your bike and start training for the fourth annual Pave the Path 10K/Metric Century Ride in Olde Town Conyers on May 21.
The 10K race begins at 8 a.m. For those interested in a shorter distance, there’s also a 2K fun run/walk at 8:15 a.m. The Metric Century Ride will commence around 9 a.m.
The 10K run is now certified as a qualifier for the 2012 Peachtree Road Race. Also new this year, awards of $100 will be given to the elementary, middle and high school and church with the most competitors registered.
The event, presented by the Main Street Foundation and C Town Bikes, aims to raise awareness about transportation alternatives and attract more visitors to the area. Proceeds will benefit construction of the Olde Town Conyers PATH trail.
The new Olde Town portion of the 10-foot-wide PATH trail, which runs past the Nancy Guinn Library, is just weeks away from completion. According to Monica Coffin, director of the Conyers Main Street program, the Olde Town portion will connect Conyers to Atlanta and beyond by extending the Rockdale South River PATH Trail from its current terminus at Alexander Lake, past the Monastery, and into Olde Town. To the east, the trail is slated to run through the Georgia International Horse Park into Oxford, Covington, and loop down through Porterdale in Newton County.
“Trails attract tourists in large numbers to spend money in our shops, restaurants, and hotels. The dollars they leave behind benefit small businesses and boost local tax revenues,” said Maurice Carter, chairman of the Newton County Trail PATH Foundation. “It’s a win every way you look at it.”
Those cycling in the Metric Century Ride, consisting of two 31-mile loops, will enjoy Rockdale sights rarely seen by the typical motorist. Brent Taylor, owner of C Town Bikes, explained the route, designed by Eddie Shirey, gives a complete tour of the city and county. “From a covered bridge in north Rockdale to several miles on the current Arabia Mountain trail, it’s a beautiful ride with plentiful rest stops that any level of cyclist will enjoy.”
Early registration runs through May 7. The cost for 10K/2K participants is $25 or $60 for a family of four. For metric century riders, the cost is $35. For those hard core enough to do both events the cost is $45. After May 7, there’s a $5 increase.
Sponsorship opportunities are available through the end of April. For more information, visit www.conyerspavethepath.com. Registration can also be accessed at www.active.com, and at the Conyers Welcome Center/Depot, (770) 602-2606.
