Clarke Central High School Principal Dr. Swade Huff (left) stands with a fellow runner (right) near the University of Georgia’s Sanford Stadium at the 2022 AthHalf Half Marathon on Oct. 23. Along with Huff, CCHS Instructional Coach Ginger Lehmann also ran in the event as she has each year since 2009. “I have been running for a long time, but I’ve run the AthHalf every time since the very first one, so I’m considered a legacy runner,” Lehmann said. “It’s kind of a tradition now, so I (ran it) again this year,” Photo courtesy of Dr. Swade Huff
The AthHalf Half Marathon, an annual event produced by AthFest Educates, experienced the largest turnout in its 13-year history on Oct. 23.
One of Athens’ most recent traditions, the AthHalf Half Marathon, returned for its 13th consecutive year on Oct. 23. This year, the event featured its largest number of runners ever.
The 13.1 mile race, which is produced annually by AthFest Educates, runs all throughout Athens, beginning downtown, heading through historic local neighborhoods before eventually concluding at the University of Georgia’s Sanford Stadium.
“It’s something I look forward to a lot, mainly because it’s a community event. I just love the tradition of getting to see different parts of the city, (and) there’s always tons of great support from the community (with) people cheering you on and bands along the way, so it’s been a really great experience.”
— Ginger Lehmann,
CCHS Instructional Coach
For Clarke Central High School physical education department teacher and assistant tennis coach Evan Adams, watching the race provides a social opportunity.
“I don’t even know how many years I’ve been doing it, but at least for the past five I’ve been doing an AthHalf-watch party,” Adams said. “I’ve been really lucky (because) in the two places I’ve lived (in Athens, the runners) run right by my house, so I get my friends together, I get food, music and drinks so that people can run by (and) get an orange juice or a water, and we play fun music and cheer them on. It’s awesome.”
An image shows the 2022 AthHalf Half Marathon’s 13.1 mile course, made for the event that took place on Oct. 23. Clarke Central High School physical education department teacher and assistant tennis coach Evan Adams has lived at various residences in Athens that are on the half marathon’s route. “I’ve been really lucky in the two places I’ve lived, (AthHalf participants) run right by my house,” Adams said. “So I get my friends together, I get food and music and drinks so that people can run by (and) get an orange juice or a water. We play fun music and cheer them on. It’s awesome.” Photo fair use of athhalf.com
CCHS Instructional Coach Ginger Lehmann has run in every AthHalf since the race began in 2009, and finds herself anticipating the event each year.
“It’s something I look forward to a lot, mainly because it’s a community event,” Lehmann said. “I just love the tradition of getting to see different parts of the city, (and) there’s always tons of great support from the community (with) people cheering you on and bands along the way, so it’s been a really great experience.”
The CCHS Community Service Club has run a water station on Milledge Avenue during the event for the past two years. According to CCHS social studies department teacher and Community Service Club adviser Karen LaRosa, the day of the race is a thrilling experience.
“(Last year), we didn’t know what to expect because none of us had done (a) water station before, but it was a lot of fun,” LaRosa said. “It’s a lot to set up because you have two tables (that) you fill up (with) water and Powerade and (you) have a lot to clean up afterwards but it’s so exciting. It’s a really good volunteer experience.”
While the event can be tiring for both volunteers and runners, it’s also a fun experience.
“I’m starting to wonder how many years I’ll be able to continue doing it, just because as I’ve gotten older the training has gotten harder and the actual run has not been as enjoyable as it used to be, but I definitely look forward to it and I enjoy it,” Lehmann said. “I really love (seeing) so many familiar faces along the way (and) many times I see different groups that I know from (CCHS) or from (the) Clarke County School District that are having water stations and I always make sure to say hello. It’s really fun.”
