By Paul Kvinta
The second annual Jaguar Jog 5K will take place on Saturday, August 12, beginning and ending at Maynard Jackson High School and including a hilly romp through Grant Park. More than 400 runners participated in last year’s inaugural race, and organizers are expecting as many as 600 this year. Proceeds from the event will be split between the MJHS’s cross country team and the MJHS Athletics Boosters.
“I started this race as a way to promote the cross-country team and to create an event that could bring the MJHS community together,” says cross country coach John Murray. “I’m proud of the team, both in their accomplishments and in the community the team has built, and I want more students to experience that community.”
Last year the team used funds from the race to buy running shoes for new runners. “I want to make the barrier for entry as low as possible for new runners,” Murray says. “Asking someone who has never run before to buy $120 running shoes they would never normally wear really hurts who would be interested.” The funds also went toward new team uniforms, running watches, and strength training equipment, and it covered expenses when the team traveled to a meet on Jekyll Island.
Runners can register for the Jaguar Jog at the race website, www.jaguarjog5k.com. The entry fee is $30. Runners 13 and younger can also register for a one-mile race for $20. After June 1 those fees increase to $35 and $25, respectively, and after August 5 they bump up again to $40 and $30. Bibs and race packets can be picked up the day before the race from 4:00pm to 8:00pm in front of the high school, or on the morning of the race from 6:15am to 7:15am. The 5K starts at 7:30am, with the one-mile race beginning an hour later. The website also provides a course map, opportunities to volunteer on race day, and training tips.
Williams Teusink Real Estate and Business Attorneys is serving as presenting sponsor for the race. Other sponsors include Intown Atlanta Psychiatry, Bark Bark, Big Peach Running, Fix and Flow Plumbing Co., Danger Press, Willy’s Mexicana Grill, Joel and Grant Real Estate, Josephine Design House, and Ormewood Church.
Maynard Jackson’s cross-country team had a great season last year. The girls finished ninth among Georgia’s 5A high schools, with Grace Danser coming in second at the state meet. The boys’ team finished twelfth, with Jacob Pullen coming in thirteenth at state.
As proud as Murray is of his athletes, he views the Jaguar Jog as more than an opportunity to raise funds for the team. “I believe in healthy public high schools, and I think a healthy public high school should be a community gathering place for surrounding neighborhoods,” he says. “I think the more elementary and middle school students can see the school and be around the school, the less anxiety there is about going to the big, public high school. The Jaguar Jog can be one of those events.”
