By Merritt McHaffie McNeely
NORCROSS, Ga., May 17, 2016 | On Saturday, May 21, the Vulcan Materials Quarry, located in Norcross, will be the unique site of a new road race to the Atlanta market that will benefit the Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation and Meadowcreek High School, Louise Radloff Middle School and Meadowcreek Elementary School.
The Quarry Crusher Run, which is being presented by Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District, is roughly a 3.7 mile (or 7.4 mile) foot race that takes participants deep into the earth, in an active quarry, on a path that is rarely allowed to be accessed by the public. The race challenges runners to climb back out, reaching grades of over 10 percent for over a mile at some points. This unique race will kick-off at 8 a.m. with two race categories in the quarry located at 1707 Beaver Ruin Road, Norcross.
The Quarry Crusher Run Series started in Columbia, S.C. in 2012 by a small group of community-minded citizens who wanted to work together with the Vulcan Quarry and the neighborhood. After a few years of running a small festival near the quarry entrance, the organizers came up with the idea to host a road race to kick off the day of festivities by running down into the quarry pit and back out. After four years, the original organizers decided to take the race to the national scene, working with Vulcan quarries on the east coast. Four races are slated for 2016 – Columbia, S.C. on April 16, Atlanta on May 21, Birmingham, Ala. on June 11 and Baltimore, Md. on September 24.
A previous quarry run
Jaime Lomas, race director, says: “We are so excited to take this unique race on the road and expand the opportunities for more runners to experience it in Atlanta. The dedication of Vulcan Materials Company to support their community is evident in this unique run. In a world of either typical road races every weekend or new fad races that are not very challenging to runners, we think the Quarry Crusher Run offers a different option for people looking for more.”
The Vulcan’s Norcross Quarry has partnered with The Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation to donate the proceeds of the race to furthering their mission of supporting the Meadowcreek Cluster, where the quarry is located. The mission of the three schools, in partnership with the community, is to ensure high student achievement, facilitate character development and provide opportunities for leadership development through parental involvement and effective teaching.
Runners who register before May 21, may pick their race packet up at Big Peach Running Company’s Suwanee store, located at 320 Town Center Avenue in Suwanee, on Friday May 20 from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Runners will receive a custom tee, sponsor promotions and other freebies in their packets. Every race participant will also receive a finisher’s medal upon completion of the race. Prizes will be awarded for overall winners and age group placers.
- Registration for all races is now available online. Package rates are available for participants who want to run more than one in the four race national series. Children under 12 are not permitted to participate in the race. Walkers and people with strollers are also not allowed. Visit www.quarrycrusherrun.com to register.
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