5th Annual Run with the Wolves

By Michelle Bowers
The Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School (ANCS) invites runners and walkers of all ages and abilities to join the wolf pack for the 5th annual Run with the Wolves 5K and 1-Mile on Saturday, April 30. The 5K and 1-Mile race course starts and finishes behind the ANCS Middle Campus on Eastwood Avenue and winds through the streets of Ormewood Park. Organized by the ANCS Parents Teachers Children Association (PTCA), the 5K and 1-Mile races have welcomed up to 650 runners and walkers in previous years. Run with the Wolves offers a fun and healthy community activity for students, families, and neighbors.
The 5K starts at 8:15am, and the 1-Mile starts at 9:00am. Both races use radio frequency identification (RFID) timing chips. In addition, the Run is hosting its first Run with the Pups, a free, informal race of about 50 yards for children 4 years and under. The Run with the Pups starts at 9:30am. CrossFit Downtown Atlanta plans to lead a race warm-up at 8:00am.
Runners and walkers can sign up for the race at www.atlncs.org/5k. Pre-registration is open until April 27. All participants registered by April 22 will receive a specially designed T-shirt. The 5K entry fee is $25, and the 1-Mile is $20. On race day, the 5K entry fee is $30, and the 1 Mile is $25. Race day registration is open from 7:15am to 8:05am. Those who can’t participate can still purchase a T-shirt only for $15 before April 22. Anyone can also support a student runner by donating $5.
5K awards are presented to the top three male and female finishers in eight age categories, including masters male and female and the top male and female stroller finishers. All younger participants in the 1-Mile race receive Run with the Wolves medallions.
The Run with the Wolves wouldn’t be possible without the support of the community and local businesses. The ANCS Run with the Wolves committee and PTCA are grateful for the support of the event’s sponsors. Individuals and businesses are welcome to sponsor the run, and sponsorship packages are available at several different levels. For more information on becoming a sponsor, please visit www.atlncs.org/5k/sponsors. Proceeds from the 5K and 1-Mile benefit the ANCS PTCA, which directly supports student learning opportunities and staff professional development.
Parking around the middle school on race day is limited. Participants should carpool, walk, or bike to the race if possible. While street parking is available, organizers ask that everyone be courteous of fellow runners and neighbors and follow all city parking laws. Please park on the right side of the road, not in front of hydrants, and do not block driveways or crosswalks. Limited parking is also available at the Ormewood Park Presbyterian Church at 1071 Delaware Avenue (at the corner of Woodland and Delaware Avenues).
Registration and event information can be found at www.atlncs.org/5k. Direct any questions to runwiththewolves@atlncs.org.