Atlanta BeltLine 5K returns on July 15

By Ellie Ritter, contributor
The Peachtree Road Race may have passed, but there will be another high-profile running opportunity this summer. On Saturday, July 15 at 7:30 a.m., the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership (ABP) and Presenting Sponsor Delta Air Lines will host the seventh annual Atlanta BeltLine Westside 5K.
The race starts and ends at West End Park, located at 1111 Oak St. SW in Atlanta, where hundreds of participants will run or walk through the historic West End and Westview neighborhoods. People of all fitness levels are encouraged to participate.
The course runs along the West End Trail, which was the first segment of the Atlanta BeltLine to open to the public. According to the announcement, the 2017 race has special meaning with the nearby 3-mile Westside Trail under construction and set to open later this year.
Along with the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside 10K on December 2, the Westside 5K is part of the 2017 Run.Walk.Go! Race Series, which provides opportunities for people to explore various trail segments of the Atlanta BeltLine while staying active.
Race participants can register individually or as part of a team, with prizes given to both. Atlanta BeltLine-themed prizes will be awarded to the top three male/female finishers and the top three male/female finishers in each age category. The release also said that awards will be provided to the largest, fastest and top fundraising teams.
Additionally, the Atlanta Police and Atlanta Fire & Rescue Departments will face off in a friendly team challenge, with the overall winner receiving a trophy.
The Beltline Partnership hopes these races inspire their community to adopt a more active lifestyle.
“The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership looks forward to returning to West End Park in July for our seventh Westside 5K,” ABP Executive Director Rob Brawner said. “The Run.Walk.Go! Race Series is a key part of our goal of engaging with residents in Atlanta BeltLine communities in ways that promote the healthy, active lifestyles the nearby Westside Trail will support when it opens later this year.”
Registration for the Westside 5K costs $35, and registration for both the Westside 5K and December’s Eastside 5K costs $65. Race-day registration will open at 6:30 a.m. on July 15 or can be done online at beltline.org/westside5k.
Sponsorship inquiries can be directed to Salisha Evans at 404-446-4408 or salisha@atlblp.org. If your organization is interested in participating as a vendor at the Westside 5K, contact Alice Weston at 404-446-4410 or alice@atlblp.org.