Events
8K Run/Walk
Kids Fun Run
Place
237 Prince Ave
Athens, GA US 30601
Description
Lace up and kick off Thanksgiving morning with the Give Thanks 8K, one of Athens' favorite holiday traditions! Whether you're chasing a PR, walking with friends, or bringing the whole family (pups included!), there's room for everyone in our flock. The 8K Run/Walk starts at 8:30 AM, followed by a one-mile Kids Fun Run at 10:00 AM for ages 12 and under. Every mile supports The Center at ACCA, helping older adults keep growing, exploring, and living well. Register today, bring your favorite people, and join us for a Thanksgiving morning that feels good and does good. Come trot with us!
Race Contact Info
Course Map
For an interactive look at this years USATF certified course (GA25068WC), please use the following link: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/6645608234/
Yes MapMyRun shows it as over 5 miles, however MapMyRun does not take tangents from point to point as compared to when the course is measured to USATF standards. The course is 8 Kilometers, or 4.97 miles.
Packet Pick-Up
There will be two packet pick-up times available!
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Wednesday, November 25th from 3pm to 6pm at ACCA, 135 Hoyt Street Athens, GA
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On race morning at Hendershot's from 7:15am -8:15am.
Race History
The GiveThanks 8k is a cherished tradition in Athens and all of us at ACCA are grateful to Dani McCall and the GiveThanks Foundation for her stewardship and passion for this race. Over the years, the GiveThanks 8k has raised money to help our community thrive, and we are honored to be a part of this journey.
The GiveThanks 8k attracts runners from every age demographic and skill level. McCall first started the tradition of running on Thanksgiving by encouraging her gym clients to run the Atlanta Half Marathon. McCall would use the run as a training method, but as the years went on, she realized that the Atlanta race was not practical for a lot of her trainees.
McCall knew she could create a local race that was more cost-effective and had the same, if not more, community support in Athens. Now, the GiveThanks 8k is more than a fun activity to do on Thanksgiving morning, it’s a way for the community to give back to the needs in high demand for that year.
Every year the race shows that the power of giving back and the cultural impact of generosity is contagious. Dani has decided to pass the baton on to ACCA to manage all future races. This all means that ACCA will receive all donations from the GiveThanks 8k this year – and every year after.
With the race’s legacy secured, McCall can now do something she has never done before – run the GiveThanks 8k. As she laces up her shoes, she’ll carry a decade of tradition, commitment to her community, and a spirit of generosity. Athens, get set at the starting lines – a new chapter is about to begin!
Awards
- Top 3 Overall Male & Female
- Overall Masters Male & Female
- Overall Grand Masters Male & Female
- Youngest Male/Female 8K Competitor
- 1st Place Only in Each Age Division (Male & Female):
- 9 & under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75 & over
