Coming just around the corner in The Corners is the much-anticipated Light Up The Corners Glow Run and Twilight Trot. The nighttime community race will be held Saturday, August 14.
This lighthearted fundraiser race benefiting the WHY IT MATTERS campaign for Robert D. Fowler YMCA kicked off its first year in 2012 with a couple hundred participants and rose to over 1,200 in 2019. Light Up the Corners took a hiatus last year for obvious safety concerns, but now people are lacing up their running shoes and itching to put rubber soles to pavement.
“First of all, coordinating a race of this magnitude takes the assistance of many people and the Light Up The Corners race committee is made up of some awesome volunteers who — like me — are running/fitness enthusiasts and also fans of the Fowler YMCA,” said Race Coordinator Amy Massey.
Massey served on the board of the Fowler YMCA for a decade; therefore she “understood their mission and how important their annual campaign [WHY IT MATTERS] is to achieving that mission of enriching the lives of people in the community regardless of ability to pay for their life-changing programs and services.” Massey’s passion for running and compassion for the local community to have access to healthful resources made Light Up The Corners a serendipitous venture.
Putting together a program of this magnitude takes more than glow powder and willpower. There are many facets required to ensure a smooth and successful race day, such as soliciting sponsors to offset the costs, designing and ordering T-shirts, purchasing glow items, coordinating music, food and drink, course monitoring and ensuring the safety of participants. But like anything worth anything in life, the behind-the-scenes effort it takes to make it happens makes it that much more worthwhile.
Race and post-race info
This race is a great introduction for those new to public races, as well as a unique challenge for veteran runners. Festivities are divided into two main events, a 4-Mile Run and Twilight Trot 1k. This one-of-a-kind nighttime experience is less about how fast people can run or walk and more about much fun they can have!
The Forum at Peachtree Parkway is not only a proud sponsor but also serves as the location for the occasion. The course will be lined with blinking lights to illuminate the path and participants will be given glow sticks, a glow necklace and other glow bling to light up the course.
After the race, everyone is invited to stick around for the Post-Race Party, bursting with live music and free food and drink from generous sponsors: Grace 1720, Teds Montana Grill, Mojitos Bistro, Black Walnut Cafe, PokeWorks, Taqueria Tsunami, Press Blend Squeeze, Trader Joe’s and Ingles.
There will be contests and prizes for the “glowiest” men, women, boys, girls and teams. Gift certificates will be awarded from many Light Up The Corners sponsors, such as Spa Sydell, Gigi’s Cupcakes and California Pizza Kitchen.
Registration Information
Online Registration can be completed through lightupthecorners.com or directly at runsignup.com
Race Weekend Schedule
Saturday August 14, 2021
Twilight Trot 1k (6/10 mile) Start: 8 p.m.
4 Mile Run Start: 8:30 p.m
Location: The Forum on Peachtree Parkway, 5155 Peachtree Pkwy
A few things to keep in mind
■ Parking is limited so race coordinators suggest walking, running or carpooling to The Forum. If driving is necessary, please plan to park at one of the following locations: Fowler YMCA, Ingles Shopping Center, Peachtree Corners Baptist Church or Technology Business Park. There will be some spaces in the lots in front of Moe’s/Yogurtland, and behind Trader Joe’s off Peachtree Corners Circle.
■ This is a rain or shine event; but should there be lightning or thunder in the area at the time of the event or in the immediate forecast, the start may be delayed until it has passed.
■ Unfortunately, due to lack of insurance coverage for pets, dogs aren’t allowed.
■ Currently Gwinnett County does not allow road closures for this race. That said, there will be a coned-off lane for the race as well as 20 police officers and many more volunteers on the course patrolling to keep cars at a distance.
■ The cost of both the 1k run and the 4-Mile run are the same, though 1k runners also receive a t-shirt, additional glow swag, a glow toy and a finisher’s medal at the end.
So pick out a colorful neon workout shirt, throw on a pair of shorts and join in the fun! Visit the race website, lightupthecorners.com, for schedule updates and additional details.
