Wills Park Swimming Pool

It doesn't matter if you are training for the Boston Marathon or have never run a day in your life, one of the two races coming up in Alpharetta are perfect for every athlete!

The sound of rubber hitting pavement during the 14th Annual Alpharetta Mayor's Challenge and the Celebrated America 5K/10K heralds the arrival of spring and offer outdoor fun for the whole family!

The May 15, 2010, 14th annual Mayor's Challenge 5K/10K, co-sponsored by the Alpharetta Rotary Club and the city of Alpharetta, serves as a Peachtree Road Race Qualifer. Runners will meet at the Wills Park Swimming Pool at 7:15 to begin the race, which follows a closed road course through the area.Less serious runners - or walkers, as the case may be, - are invited to join hundreds of others for the Fun Run/Walk event taking place just a hour later at 8:30 a.m.

Awards will be presented to top runners in 14 different age groups and a runner's pancake breakfast will be served between 7:30-9:30 a.m.

Advance registration for the Mayor's Challenge race costs $20 for adults and $15 for children under 12 or $25 for adults and $20 for children on that day.

Can't get enough of racing? Then meet up again two weeks later for another jog, sprint or walk.

On May 31, the 14th annual Celebrate America 5K/10K comes back to Alpharetta. Runners will meet outside of the New Balance store on North Point Parkway at 7:30 a.m. The race, also a Peachtree Road Race Qualifier, benefits the charities supported by the Alpharetta Junior Woman's Club, including Canine Assistants, Happy Tails and EnAble. Registration costs $20 prior to May 17 and $25 after.

Register for both races online at Active.com.

- by Christine Foster, Atlanta Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Christine Foster

Christine is a freelance writer currently living in North Atlanta. She has worked as a reporter for numerous newspaper, magazine and online media companies, including the Florida Keys Keynoter and The Sunday Paper in Atlanta. When she's not working Christine enjoys baking and antiquing.