News Stories

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Georgia Coast Rail Trail Extended

Published: April 10, 2012 | Posted by Char Devoursney

PATH completed another 1.5 mile section of the Georgia Coast Rail-Trail in Camden County during February. The recently completed trail segment is an extension of the City of Woodbine trail and boardwalk through downtown Woodbine.  The boardwalk overlooks the Satilla River and is the scene of an annual Woodbine Crawfish Festival, celebrating its 27th year. This year’s festival will be held April 27th and 28th and includes live entertainment, a crawfish boil, and a crawfish parade.

The recently completed trail was built by a public-private partnership between PATH, the City of Woodbine, and Camden County.The County prepped the corridor and backfilled the trail after completion. The City obtained the necessary permits and helped the County salvage the ballast along the corridor. PATH provided $195,000 from your donations to install the trail.

The Georgia Coast Rail Trail is being built on a 68 mile-long abandoned rail bed from Riceboro to Kingsland just a few miles from the coast.

Georgia Coast Rail Trail, Inc. a nonprofit group promoting trail development along the corridor, is actively pursuing new segments of the trail to build. There are presently six miles of the Georgia Coast Rail Trail constructed.

Olde Town Conyers Trail Extended

Published: April 10, 2012 | Posted by Char Devoursney

In 2010 PATH, the City of Conyers, and Rockdale County collaborated to build the first 1.7 miles of the Olde Town Conyers Trail from downtown Conyers through Wheeler Park. This year PATH is partnering with the Rockdale Board of Education, the City of Conyers, and 4A International to extend the trail two miles south to Johnson Park on Ebenezer Road. The new trail will connect Wheeler Park to the Rockdale Career Academy, The Corner Market commercial area and Johnson Park.

This extension will bring the Olde Town Conyers trail over halfway from Olde Town Conyers to the existing Rockdale River Trail. Future segments of the Olde Town Conyers Trail will likely follow the master plan that PATH completed for the City of Conyers in 2006 and intersect the Rockdale River Trail close to Klondike Road and the South River.

This two mile-long segment will feature scenic views, rock outcroppings, a bridge, and a boardwalk over a wetland area. It is being funded by 4A International and your donations to PATH.

The trail is already a favorite destination for dog walkers, baby strollers and walkers who have been searching for a safe place to recreate. Construction began in March and will continue through June. Visit pathfoundation.org for construction updates and a grand opening date for this trail.

SK8 Challenge

Published: April 10, 2012 | Posted by Char Devoursney

Most of us think we are in pretty good shape if we are able to bike thirty of forty miles in a day.  On May 11-13th, a group of longboard skateboarders will race along the Chief Ladiga/Silver Comet Trail for 188 miles in the second annual Chief Ladiga Silver Comet Sk8 Challenge. The three day event will likely attract fifty to 100 “longboarders” that have to be one of the fittest groups to ever grace the trail.

Thirty percent of the proceeds from the race will be donated to charitywater.org, a nonprofit group providing clean water in countries where water quality is poor.

The race begins at the Atlanta end of the Silver Comet Trail. Participants will spend the night in both Rockmart and Weaver, Alabama during the race.  Race organizers will provide shuttle services for personal gear.

If you are one of these incredibly fit individuals and want to join the race this year, go to the Chief Ladiga Silver Comet Sk8 Challenge Facebook page or contact organizers on line at skatefurther.com.

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2nd Annual triPATHlon

Published: April 10, 2012 | Posted by Char Devoursney

The PATH Foundation will host the second annual swim, bike, and run triPATHlon, on Sunday, May 6, 2012 at Chastain Park. Last year’s inaugural event had 350 tri-athletes swimming at the Chastain Pool, biking through Buckhead, and running on the PATH around North Fulton Golf Course. This year between 400 and 500 participants are expected for the event.

The sprint-triathlon will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a 400-yard swim in the Chastain Park pool, a 15-mile bike ride up and down the hills around the park, and conclude with a 5K run on the Chastain Park Trail.

Proceeds from the triPATHlon will benefit all three host organizations: PATH, The Chastain Park Conservancy and The Chastain Park Athletic Club.

Our title sponsor last year, Mercedes-Benz of Buckhead has agreed to return for year two, along with The Coca-Cola Company, Atlanta Cycling, Peachtree Orthopaedic, Road Runner Sports and Cox Media Group. “We are proud to return as the title sponsor of the triPATHlon event this year,” said Greg Baranco, President of Mercedes Benz of Buckhead.  “PARH is a worthy cause that we are pleased to support.”

Brian Cosgray, spokesperson for the PATH committee organizing the event says a few changes will be made this year to improve the event. “We are adding the opportunity for team entries. This means three athletes can team-up; one swimming, one cycling, and one running, rather than one person completing all three phases of the race,” Brian explained. “The option for team participation will attract many people who do not necessarily excel in all three race segments.”

Ed McBrayer, PATH’s Executive Director appreciated the heightened awareness of PATH that the event caused. “Many Atlanta residents do not know that a private, non-profit group builds and maintains Atlanta’s trails. More people do now thanks to the publicity surrounding the triPATHlon events,” Ed said. “Brian and the committee have also improved the race layout to enhance the spectator experience. The community showed us a great deal of support last year. We look forward to more participants and spectators at this year’s triathlon.”

“The Chastain Park Athletic Club (CPAC) is pleased to serve as hosts for the pool portion of the race again this year,” said Jim King, Chairman of CPAC. “Not only do we offer a fantastic pool for a triathlon event, we also provide year-round training and fitness amenities for swimmers. We look forward to another great event on May 6th.”

New in 2012 is a kids “Splash & Dash” event that will feature a swimming and biking competition for kids ages six to fourteen.  Distances are age appropriate, with a 50 to 200 yard swim in the Chastain Pool, and a 500 meter to 2k run, out and back on the Chastain PATH.  This is the first event under the USAT Youth Initiative to encourage youth multi-sport participation. The entry fee is $25.

The triPATHlon is a fully sanctioned USAT sprint triathlon and one of few ‘in-town’ triathlon events in the country. The event will be limited to the first 550 registering. The entry fee is $75 for USAT members, $85 for non-members, and $125 for team registration. To register and get the latest information go to tripathlonatlanta.com.