Run the Rails 5K Downtown This Weekend

This Saturday, June 21st, runners, walkers and transit enthusiasts will have an exclusive opportunity to race along the Atlanta Streetcar rails. Produced by Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) in partnership with the City of Atlanta, the event will provide participants with a unique way to explore the new transit project while providing a tour of the route. Run the Rails 5K is presented by Siemens, the manufacturer of Atlanta’s Streetcars.

From restaurants and hotels to retail stores, world class attractions, corporate offices and a major university, this event will showcase the variety of destinations and neighborhoods that can be reached using the Atlanta Streetcar. This will be the only opportunity for the public to run along the route prior to the Streetcar’s official launch this summer.

Participants will have the option to sign up for the timed 5K event or for a fun run called the Streetcar Stroll. Both will follow the same route but those participating in the Streetcar Stroll will have the opportunity to complete the course at their own pace. Starting at 8:00 AM, the race will begin and end at Woodruff Park in Downtown Atlanta. 

“We believe this event will provide an excellent opportunity to showcase the unique assets that will soon be connected and accessible by the Streetcar,” stated A.J. Robinson, President of CAP.  

Additionally, Atlanta City Council Member Kwanza Hall and B98.5’s Madison James will participate in the Run the Rails 5k and join Siemens employees to represent The Baton Pass™, a nationwide campaign benefiting Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) recently launched by Siemens to raise funds to be used for cancer research and to spread a message of hope and unity across the country. 

Online registration for Run the Rails 5K will close at midnight on Wednesday, June 18th.  Runners and walkers are encouraged to register early as the price to register for the race will increase by $5.00 after Wednesday. Those wanting to register after Wednesday may do so in person at Big Peach Midtown on Thursday, June 19th from 12:00 – 7:00 PM, at Woodruff Park on Friday, June 20th from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, or at Woodruff Park on the day of the race from 7:00 – 7:30 AM. 

After the race, participants will be encouraged to stay Downtown to explore all that the city center has to offer, including more than a dozen new pop-up shops. Many of the pop-up shops will open early, immediately after the race, to give participants a chance to preview and support the merchants selected for the 3-month long retail program. Downtown also features over 300 restaurants and is home to the Southeast’s best attractions. 

Additional support for Run the Rails is provided by Cox Media Group Atlanta, B98.5, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, YP, W Atlanta Downtown and Big Peach Running Company.

For more information about the Run the Rails 5K, visit www.TheAtlantaStreetcarRace.com.
For more information about the Downtown Pop-Up Shops, visit www.DowntownPopUpShops.com.