Sandy Springs Lightning 5K & 10K

WHAT

The Doug Kessler Sandy Springs Lightning is in its 28th year and is one of the fastest 5K &10K races in the state of Georgia. Designed for runners who enjoy a flat course through the lovely Sandy Springs community and neighborhoods, this is one of the most popular Peachtree Road Race Qualifiers. Held on Saturday morning just before the start of the annual Sandy Springs Festival, the race incorporates chip timing for instant results. 

Doug Kessler, who passed away in February 2005, was always looking for ways to make “his” race the best around. It started out as “the Fun Run,” and ultimately became the Lightning 10K because Kessler wanted runners and walkers to think of the phrase “run like lightning” while they were racing. To this day, it is still recognized as one of the fastest around! Kessler’s wife, Margie, has played an instrumental role in continuing to help grow the event that Doug held so close to his heart.

EVENT DETAILS

This is a chipped timed event so your start time will begin when you step across the start mat.  The 10K will start at 7:50 am and the 5K will start at 8am beginning on Mt. Vernon just under the water tower near the intersection of Lake Forrest and Mt. Vernon in front of the Sandy Springs United Methodist Church. The runners will head down Mt. Vernon with a 5K turnaround point, while the 10K runners proceed to Old Powers Ferry and Northside Drive doing a lollipop and returning on Mt. Vernon. The course will be well marked with road chalk, volunteers, traffic cones, and police.  The Sandy Springs Lightning is open to both strollers and dog runners but for safety reasons stroller and dog runners will not start until after all runners clear the start line.   

COURSE

This is a USTAF Certified Race Course and a Peachtree qualifier!

Runners will have the option of running a 5K (3.1 miles) or a 10K (6.2 miles) course. Participants will have a timing chip on their bib which assures accurate start and finish times for each runner. Please note that the race is a chipped-timed race which means each runners has an individual start and finish time to ensure the most accurate time. All walkers and/or runners with strollers/dogs please move to the back of the pack. For the route map, click here: https://heritagesandysprings.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/2017-map.jpg.  

USATF Certification -  http://www.usatf.org/events/courses/maps/showMap.asp?courseID=GA14076WC

 AWARDS

Awards will be given for top 3 finishers of each age category for Male and Female. We will also award the top overall M & F winners of each race as well as the M & F masters winners. 

The age categories are 10 under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 over.

TSHIRTS

Shirts are guaranteed to all registrations received BEFORE 11:59pm, September 10th. Those who sign up after 12:01am, September 11th are not guaranteed a race shirt.  Any extras will be given out on a first come, first serve basis at the conclusion of the race.

PARKING

There will be plenty of parking but be sure to arrive early to get a good spot.  You may park at Century Springs Park LLC located at 6000 Lake Forrest Dr., Atlanta GA 30328. 

From I-285, exit at Roswell Road and go north (outside the Perimeter) to Mount Vernon Highway. Turn left onto Mount Vernon Highway, and the Sandy Springs United Methodist Activities Center will be on your left.

The closing of Mt. Vernon Highway and Old Powers Ferry will affect access to several neighborhoods. The Sandy Springs Police Department will begin closing Mt. Vernon Highway between Lake Forest Drive and Sandy Springs Circle at 6:00 a.m. and will re-open the race route by 9:30 a.m. when all runners have passed.

WEATHER

The race will happen rain or shine. Be prepared to run in any weather. Only in the cases of extreme weather will changes to the race schedule occur. Please check the Sandy Springs Festival Facebook page on race morning for real-time updates on the status of the race if there is severe weather.

REGISTRATION

Online registration closes at 11:59pm on Wednesday, September 19th. After online registration closes you have two opportunities to sign up for the race at at Packet Pickup (directions and time below) and on race morning at the start/finish line from 7am - 7:40am. It will be cash only.  $35 for 5k and $40 for 10k.

REFUNDS

No refunds or transfers from person-to-person or year-to-year. While we understand schedules change and things come up, we have a strict no-refund and transfer policy. Race Management reserves the right to cancel or modify the event due to extreme conditions such as weather. Registration fees are not refundable in the event of the race cancellation due to “Acts of God" or things outside of the control of the Race Director.  

PACKET PICK UP

Packet pick up will be held on Friday, September 21st, from 3pm - 7pm at Road Runners in Marietta located at Merchant's Walk Shopping Center, 1311 Johnson Ferry Rd #412, Marietta, GA 30068.  You may also pick up your bib number and tshirt on race morning starting at 7am at the start/finish line. If you want someone to pick up your bib at packet pick up you must 1) email the race director the name of the person picking up your bib and 2) the person picking up your bib must have a copy of your valid government issued identification. 

TIMING

Both events will be timed by Elite Race Timing. Each participant will receive a race bib with a timing chip attached to the bib. Results will be provided at the finish line and will be posted to Elite’s website immediately following the race at www.eliteracetiming.com.

WATER STATIONS

We will have two water station on the course at the 5K turn around and 10K turn around. Runners are allowed to bring water bottles with them but please don't discard them on the side of the road.  Please drop them at an aid station. Additional water and post-race snacks will be available at the finish line.

FESTIVAL

Come prepared to go to the 33nd Annual Sandy Springs Festival immediately following the race. Our race course allows you to finish only steps away from all the vendors and fun activities happening immediately after the race.

DOGS/STROLLERS

Dogs and strollers are allowed on the course but for safety reasons they cannot start until ALL runners and walkers clear the start line. Dogs must be on a leash at all times as required by Fulton County law. Once the start line is clear, we will allow strollers and dogs to start. 

FIRST AID

In case of an emergency, please immediately notify one of our volunteers or a police officer.

RESTROOMS

Porta-potty facilities will be available at the start/finish area.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS

The Sandy Springs Lightning and its volunteers cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items. We do not have a secure area of safekeeping for your personal items. You will be responsible for anything you bring to the race.

SPONSORS

THANK YOU to our great event sponsors! If you are interested in being a sponsor, we have many sponsorship packages that will meet your needs. This race is not possible without the support of our sponsors so please support them year-round!

PROCEEDS

Proceeds from the race benefit Heritage Sandy Springs, the community non-profit organization that presents the annual Sandy Springs Festival.

VOLUNTEER

Interested in getting involved? We cannot pull this off without many helping hands, so please consider volunteering your time, skills, and/or resources. Please click the contact link and submit your name through this portal to help volunteer. Be sure to leave your email and phone number so we can contact you. 

CONTACT

Questions or comments? Please submit through the comment box and we will follow up with you as quick as possible.