Southwest Atlanta Runners Among 18,000 Expected at Sunday Publix Georgia Marathon (Updated)

Runners for the South Fulton Running Partners and other southwest fitness groups and jogging networks are among the more than 18,000 runners registered to participate in this Sunday’s Publix Georgia Marathon.

Publix is the new sponsor of the Georgia Marathon and Half-Marathon, previously sponsored by ING. The race begins at 7 a.m. at Centennial Park.

A May 2010 economic impact study performed by the Temple University Sport Industry Research Center determined that the 2010 Georgia Marathon and Half Marathon generated more than $7 million in economic impact to metro Atlanta.

For more information about the marathon go to www.rungeorgiamarathon.com.

The Cascade area's South Fulton Running Partners comprise the oldest mostly-black recreational walking and running club in the country.

The Partners are active in several community sports and fitness events and are the race managers of the annual Sickle Cell 4k walk and 7k race on Sat., April 9, at Welcome All Park (To register, go to Active.com Sickle Cell Walk/Run registration).

The 32nd Annual Sickle Cell race and walk event day registration and activities begin 7 a.m., Sat., April 9, 2011, and the race begins promptly at 9 a.m. For more information go to:  www.sfrpatlanta.org.