ATLANTA – March 20, 2016 – This morning the 2016 Publix Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon hosted approximately 10,000 runners and walkers at Centennial Olympic Park. The 10th annual event featured an energetic crowd, clear skies and cool temperatures.
Oscar Ogwaro won the marathon with a solid lead in a time of 2:28:19. This was the Rome, Georgia, resident’s first full marathon. In the women’s race, Kathleen Turchin of Buford, Georgia, broke the tape in 3:03:22.
“I ran as hard as I can,” said Ogwaro. “The last six miles was a fight against my legs. It was fun!”
The men’s half marathon was the closest finish of the day. Dan Swain of Narberth, Pennsylvania, won the men’s race with a time of 1:11:06 ahead of Atlanta resident Dougie Coffed, who finished in 1:11:27. Tara Mooney of Atlanta placed first for the women, crossing the finish line in 1:25:55.
For the first time, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle’s Be Healthy Georgia Festival was held in conjunction with the Publix Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon. Hundreds of young runners participated in a one mile fun run (ages 7-14) and 50m dash (ages 6 & under) organized by Atlanta Track Club, crossing the same finish line as the marathoners and half marathoners.
Also unveiled today was the winner of the 2016 Publix Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon poster design contest. Xiaomeng Yang’s design was featured on the awards for winners of the marathon and half marathon in the overall, masters and grandmasters divisions. Yang received a $1,000 scholarship for winning the contest, which was held in partnership with SCAD Atlanta.
Complete results for the 2016 Publix Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon can be found at atlantatrackclub.org.
About Atlanta Track Club
Atlanta Track Club is a nonprofit committed to creating an active and healthy Atlanta. Through running and walking, Atlanta Track Club motivates, inspires and engages the community to enjoy a healthier lifestyle. With more than 24,000 members, Atlanta Track Club is the second largest running organization in the United States. In addition to the AJC Peachtree Road Race (peachtreeroadrace.org) – the largest 10K running event in the world, the Publix Georgia Marathon, Atlanta 10 Miler and Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, Atlanta Track Club directs more than 30 events per year. Through the support of its members and volunteers, Atlanta Track Club also maintains a number of community initiatives including organizing and promoting the Kilometer Kids youth running program to metro Atlanta youth, honoring high school cross country and track and field athletes through Atlanta Track Club’s All-Metro Banquets and supporting the Grady Bicycle EMT program. For more information on Atlanta Track Club, visit atlantatrackclub.org.