Resident organizes running series for Fayette elementary schools

Being "on the run" is a perfect way to describe George Martin. As immediate past president of the Peachtree City Running Club, vice president of the Peachtree City Rotary Club, vice president of Promise Place, vice chair of the Peachtree City Recreation Commission and a volunteer with United Way, he is always on the go.

But it is Martin's commitment to running and to the children in the community that led him to start one the the top children's running programs in the United States. In 2004, he brought together two of Peachtree City's most active organizations, the Rotary Club and the Peachtree City Running Club in an attempt to address growing concerns about youth fitness and childhood obesity. Martin came up with the idea of a Peachtree City Rotary Club Elementary School Grand Prix series of races where each of the elementary schools hold their own 5K to encourage running and to raise money for their school. For every school race you run, you accumulate points. In June of each year, a Grand Prix luncheon is held and awards are given out to the ones with the participants who earned the most points.

As a result of this new program, 13 of Fayette County's elementary schools now have fund raising races and 11 of those schools also have kids running clubs. A few of the schools had races and clubs dating back almost 10 years but this was the first time there was an organized effort to coordinate and promote the races collectively. The series of races has raised over $65,000 for the local schools.

George Martin recently received the prestigious Kurt Steiner Humanitarian Award at the Road Runners Clubs of America's (RRCA) 49th annual national convention in Houston, Texas for instigating this running program for kids. The RRCA is the national organization representing over 700 running clubs and 150,000 runners in all 50 states. The Kurt Steiner Children's Developmental Award is given annually to an individual who is dedicated to promoting children's running and/or coordinating an outstanding children's running program. Martin was recognized for his effort in jump-starting this program which is not only unique to Georgia but to the entire country. This award was named for Austrian immigrant Kurt Steiner, who was an early running and coaching pioneer with the New York City Running Club.

"I accepted this award for the combined efforts of the Peachtree City Rotary Club and the Peachtree City Running Club. Yes, it was my idea, but without the help and dedication of these two groups, the Grand Prix would have never come together," said Martin. "The Rotary Club is the most recent of growing number of supporting organizations that have enabled the Peachtree City Running Club to put over $20,000 a year directly back into youth running programs. These two groups worked diligently together to implement the Grand Prix program," Martin said.

"The Rotary Club of Peachtree City is proud to have partnered with the Peachtree City Running Club for the benefit of Fayette County children," said Charlie Landrum, Rotary Club president. The Rotary Club provides "seed" money for each school's race and also provides volunteers on the day of the race.

“The real winners are the thousands of kids that have participated in one or more of the races and in the school running clubs," remarked Peachtree City Running Club President Bob Dalton. In addition to the Rotary Grand Prix, the running club hosts the "Kids Marathon Finish" and the "Kids Fun Run" every May.

George Martin moved to Peachtree City eight years ago with his wife Yvonne after he retired from the U.S. Post Office where he served as national manager in Washington D.C. He chose Fayette County after visiting the Aberdeen Conference Center in Peachtree City. "I went out for a run on the beautiful golf cart paths and decided right then that this was the place for me when I retired," said Martin. Fayette County is all the better for his decision that day. In addition to organizing the races in the schools, he is also works as race director heading up 5K races to raise money for local charities.

As a tireless volunteer and an avid runner for almost 20 years, being "on the run" is a way of life for Martin. It is his hope that it will become a way of life for the children in Fayette County as well.

For more information on these children's running programs visit www.ptcrc.com or contact your local school.

Heidi Becker is president of Heidi Becker & Associates Public Relations and Special Events. She can be reached at heidibecker3@aol.com.

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