Overview
The South Fulton Running Partners created the Sickle Cell Road race to support the mission and goals of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia Inc. With over a thousand participants the event has become a community institution, and is widely anticipated in the Spring of each year. The race includes a 7k road race, a 4k walk, and team competitions. The 7k race will have chip timing for all runners. All participants are invited to attend the Pre-Race Expo the night before, where they can register for the race and visit several sponsors and vendors. All participants receive a commemorative full-color high quality race t-shirt, a race goodie bag, an invigorating aerobics workout, plenty of post-race food and refreshments, door prizes and an opportunity to win trophies in both the walk and run event.
The race is held annually on the second Saturday in April at the Welcome All Park Recreation Center in College Park, Georgia. 4255 Will Lee Road, College Park, GA 30349
Important Dates
April 1 deadline for early registration
April 11 deadline for on line registration
April 13 Pre-Race Expo
April 14 7k Race, 4k Run
Registration
On line registration is available now at active.com. In store registration is also available at Phiddippides running shoe store in Ansley Mall, and Sandy Springs. Race applications can be downloaded here 2012 SCRR Application.pdf . Applications can also be picked up and returned to the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia at 2391 Benjamin E. Mays Drive, SW, Atlanta, GA 30311
Contact the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia at 404-755-1641 for more information.
Race/Walk Course
The 7k Run Course is an RRCA certified course (GA12021WC) and it is the RRCA Southern Region Championship Race. The 7k run loops through the scenic and gently rolling hills of the Welcome All Park neighborhood. The first two miles are relatively flat, then runners encounter rolling hills for the last two miles with a slight up hill climb to the finish. View the actual course video on the right.
The 4k Walk is an out-and-back course. The course is relatively flat to the first half-mile, then moderate rolling hills with a slight uphill climb to the turn-around point. Water stops are located at the mid-way point of both courses and water is available at the finish.
Course maps with elevations are downloadable here:
Awards
All runners will have electronic chip timing. Awards will be given to overall winners and are 3-deep (1st, 2nd, 3rd) for male/female in the run. 1st and 2nd place awards for male/female in the walk. Runners & walkers age category divisions are: 14 & under; 15-19; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64, and 65 and over (runners only). Also Walkers aged 65-70; and 71 and over will be eligible for awards. The 7k Race is the RRCA Southern Regional Championship. RRCA awards will be presented to the Overall Male/Female, Masters (40+), and Grand Masters (50+). Teams wiht 40+ members qualify for a plaque to be given to the two companies/groups with the most registered participants under your company/group name (i.e sororities, fraternities, churches, social club, etc)
Pre-Race Expo
Enjoy an opportunity to register, and visit our sponsor booths. The Pre-Race Expo occurs at Welcome All Park on April 13 from 6-8 p.m.
Fund Raising and Pledges
Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc. aims to raise
$100,000 to support critical programs and projects for Sickle Cell patients. In our 33rd Annual Sickle Cell Race/Walk, we need your help! We challenge every participant to raise $100 or more. We will provide workshops that will build your fundraising skills and give you a change to network with other supporters.
Helping People and Our Cause
Bring your old pair of tennis shoes to the pre-race expo or on the day of the race and help people around the world by making your used tennis shoes available for reuse in some of the neediest countries around the world. In addition, for every pound of shoe weight, a monetary donation will go to Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia to support their mission.
The Experience
Enjoying outstanding community support for almost 30 years, few events in the Southeast rival the Sickle Cell Road Race for its unique combination of: fun and fitness; competition and camaraderie; pleasure and pride. The Sickle Cell Road Race is consistently rated by our participants as a rewarding and memorable experience. Go to our results page for a sample of some comments from some of our participants
Race Day Schedule of Events
7:00 am Registration
8:15 am Aerobics Warm Up
9:00 am 7k Run Begins
9:15 am4k Walk Begins
10:45 am Awards Ceremony
Weather Info
The race is held rain or shine. Check here for the latest Atlanta forecast.
Parking
Parking is available in and around Welcome All Park. However, we strongly urge participants to arrive early for the best parking opportunities. Please be considerate of our neighborhoods and do not block driveways.
Rest Rooms, Showers and Lockers
All rest room facilities are located in the park gym. Gym showers and lockers are also available for your use. You must bring your own lock and towels.
Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to assist with this year's race. Please contact the Foundation for more information on how you can help.
Camp New Hope
Proceeds from the Sickle Cell Road Race go to benefit Camp New Hope. Camp New Hope is the Foundation's summer camp for children with sickle cell anemia. In existence for over 30 years, Camp New Hope serves children from 6-17 years old, by providing them a fun, exciting, and safe summer camp experience. Camp New Hope is held at Camp New Twin Lakes in Rutledge, GA. Children at Camp New Hope enjoy a wide variety of camping experiences including swimming, fishing, horseback riding, boating, arts and crafts, archery, and much much more. Camp New Hope is a unique and rewarding experience for children with sickle cell anemia.
Sickle Cell Anemia
Sickle cell anemia is a serious condition in which the red blood cells can become sickle-shaped (that is, shaped like a “C”).
Normal red blood cells are smooth and round like a doughnut without a hole. They move easily through blood vessels to carry oxygen to all parts of the body. Sickle-shaped cells don’t move easily through blood. They’re stiff and sticky and tend to form clumps and get stuck in blood vessels.
The clumps of sickle cells block blood flow in the blood vessels that lead to the limbs and organs. Blocked blood vessels can cause pain, serious infections, and organ damage.
Sickle cell anemia is an inherited, lifelong condition. People who have sickle cell anemia are born with it. They inherit two copies of the sickle cell gene, one from each parent. People who inherit a sickle cell gene from one parent and a normal gene from the other parent have a condition called sickle cell trait. Sickle cell anemia affects millions of people worldwide. There are excellent treatments for the symptoms and complications of the condition, but in most cases there’s no cure.
