 The Inaugural Buford Highway International Half-Marathon, 10K, 5K & 2-Mile Stroll, held Sunday Oct. 2, attracted over 700 participants and volunteers to the Buford Highway corridor. The community fitness event raised $4,800 for local charities and was sponsored by Sports DeKalb, Telemundo Atlanta, Xfinity, Atlanta Eats, We Love BuHi, WowNow, Olmstead Chamblee, Bai Juice, Ace Hardware Toco Hills and Snyder Cycles. Participants from 14 states were in attendance with a portion of registrants coming from different countries. The BuHi Half-Marathon 10K, 5K & 2-Mile Stroll courses led visiting participants along a six-mile stretch of Buford Highway, GA SR 13. The course passed through and was hosted by the cities of Brookhaven, Chamblee and Doraville. “We wanted to bring people to Buford Highway who have never been, as well as those that have been in the area, and already appreciate its offerings. We want participants to experience the variety of family owned restaurants and shops along the route and demonstrate that Buford Highway can be used for recreational and fitness purposes through tri-city partnerships,” said IWeLife Director Sean Pfister.  The community event highlighted the international culture and cuisine of Buford Highway while promoting fitness and raising funds for local charities. Volunteers from ten local charities: Hope Laugh Play, The Latin American Association, Children Read Atlanta, The Elaine Clark Center, I Will Survive, Inc., Rainbow Village, Raksha Inc., Peachtree Creek Greenway, Inc., Center for Pan Asian Community Services, and Open Hand Atlanta were on hand to work the event. “Our charity volunteers provided critical support for us,” said Charity Coordinator Erin McGurk, “We are proud to have them as partners and to help each organization raise funds to fulfill their missions.” Ten food partners: Cien Puras Tortas, Lee’s Bakery, The Buford Highway Farmers Market, La Mei Zi, Xela Pan, Tempoe Doeloe, Las Delicias De La Abuela, Hong Kong Bakery, Penang, and Northern China Eatery were on hand at the Plaza Fiesta finish line with tasty food samples for participants.  Presenting sponsor Sports Dekalb’s Neil Hibbert greeted the crowd as the sun came up, “This inaugural event is monumental and holds true to the mission and vision to promote sports activities and events in Dekalb. With over 65 different spoken languages in Atlanta’s Dekalb, BuHi represents our vast culture and cuisine. The Buford Highway International Half Marathon is more than just a race. It’s a charitable event benefiting our community. Sports Dekalb is proud to be a presenting sponsor.”  The Half Marathon was won by Jonathan Corso, 47, of Decatur, GA in a time of 1 hour 20 minutes and 19 seconds. Lily Ye, 38, of Atlanta GA was the half marathon female champion, covering the course in a time of 1:37:37. The 10K champion was 21 year old Austin Matese of Jupiter, FL in a time of 43:09. Michelle Panneton, 32, of Atlanta, GA was the 5K female champion, only two seconds behind. The 5K champion was 26 year old Nathen Pulliam of Doraville, GA in a time of 21:32. Heather Lee, 15, of Suwannee, GA was the 5K female champion. All race results can be found http://www.buhihalf.com/results.html  In addition to race awards the event had two raffles prizes. Briana Camelo won a $700 bike from sponsor Snyder Cycles in Tucker Ga and Sheelagh O’Malley won a large Big Green Egg from sponsor Ace Hardware Toco Hills. Participants were treated to Bai Juice, a Mariachi band, bounce house, face painting, food samples from ten BuHi restaurants, ten charity partner information booths, a DJ and sponsor booths for Olmstead Chamblee and Telemundo Atlanta.  The BuHi Half team gives a special thanks to Sgt. Justin Young of the Brookhaven Police Department, Lt. Jim Wiley of the Chamblee Police Department and Major Chuck Atkinson of the Doraville Police Department for their work in ensuring a safe, well-managed event. “The planning and organization efforts provided by these officers on behalf of their respective departments was unparalleled in my experience as a race director.” said event orgainzer Sean Pfister, Director of IWeLife.  IWeLife invested an estimated total of $4,500.00 in the local economy to prepare for this inaugural event. “Positive feedback and constructive suggestions are currently pouring in online,” according to communications team members Julie Hubbard and Bonni Bigler. IWeLIfe is already planning for the second annual BuHi Half-Marathon in the fall of 2017. “We are reading all the comments and feedback from participants to make sure we grow and improve the race for years to come,” says IWeLife Director Sean Pfister. More Pictures from the Buhi Half are available on True Speed Photo! IWeLife is an Atlanta-based fitness event company with a mission of creating events that matter while actively engaging partners through strategic planning, program production and event promotion. Email [email protected], visit buhihalf.com or call (678) 237-5434 for more information or to schedule an interview.
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 June 4th, 2016 at Candler Park in Atlanta, Georgia on a beautiful Saturday morning was the Candler Park Music Festival 5K benefiting Atlanta ContactPoint. Runners came in bright & early at 7am right next to the park to stretch & get ready for the race starting at 8:30am. Runners got to run along a fun course along the surrounding neighborhoods around the park. After the race, participants enjoyed a cold and delicious post race beer from Terrapin Brewing!  The winner of the race overall was 26 year old J.P. Hackney from Athens, Georgia coming in with a time of 18 minutes and 4 seconds. First female overall winner was Lauren Catalano at 23 minutes, 44 seconds. Male Masters winner from Decatur, Georgia was Jon Eggleton, 41 years old at a time of 18:12. Female Masters winner goes to Amy Carito, age 42 coming all the way from College Corner, Ohio with a time of 25 minutes and 50 seconds!  After the race, finishers enjoyed a cool tasty brew from Terrapin, chips, bananas and other tasty snacks to refuel for the day ahead. Awards were given for the top winners, and raffle prizes were given out to a few lucky winners! Prizes included gift cards to AppleBee's & Starbucks!  This event is in partnership with the Candler Park Music Fest and a fundraising event for Atlanta ContactPoint (ACP) is a Georgia 501©(3) nonprofit organization established in 2012 to engage children and adults through the power of play.  About IWeLife IWeLife is wellness event management company specializing in creating fitness themed events and programs to actively engage our partners through strategic planning and promotion. Our goal is to make Atlanta the fittest city in the country, and to Create Events That Matter.  On May 1st, 2016 on a lovely spring Saturday morning in Atlanta, runners came out to run and support Mary Lin, its students and community. The funds raised through the Rocket Run will support the Outdoor Classroom as well as fund the ongoing work of the Foundation to help Mary Lin Elementary School achieve its educational goals by providing instructional, physical, and technological opportunities for the enrichment of Mary Lin students.
 The Overall Winner of the Rocket Run 5K was Sam Heys, a 36 year old from Atlanta, Georgia- with a time of 18 minutes and 41 seconds. First female Overall Winner went to Allison Troxell coming in at 22 minutes and 1 second. Female Masters winner was Sara Pawley, 49 years old at a time of 22 minutes 41 seconds. Male Masters winner was Michael Oakley, 46 years old coming in at 19 minutes, 47 seconds.  Chatsworth, GA –The 2nd Annual Tear Drop Half Marathon was won by a college student runner from North Carolina; 19-year old Steven Anhold, of Montreat, NC (Montreat College) in a time of 1 hour, 11 minutes, 02 seconds, besting last year’s winner by almost 7 minutes. Cindy Hutcheson, 34, of Dahlonega, GA was the half marathon female champion, covering the course in a time of 1:37:03. Rounding out the top-3 males were Mr Anhold’s teammate Rylan Hincher, Montreat NC, 1:13:02 and Jabe McCoy, Hayden AL, 1:16:34. 2nd and 3rd females were Whitney Spillers, Demorest GA, 1:38:07 and Susan Welch, Atlanta GA, 1:38:22. By finishing under 1:15:00 both Montreat College students qualified NAIA National Championships.  The 5K champion was by 13 year old Darrion Thomburgh, of Sturgis, MI in a time of 20:02. 34-year-old Abbie Sanford of Chatsworth was the 5K female champion. Both the Half Marathon and 5K course we’re slightly changed from last year and to much applause. The 1/2 did a 3-mile out and back loop on top of Fort Mountain and by the time the runners we at the bottom of Fort Mountain, near the Stallion Service Station they had just over a mile to the finish. The 5K started on Hwy 52, as well near the intersection of Stonehinge Rd. Bob Dalton, 62, of Fayetteville, GA, won the half marathon male master’s division in a time of 1 hour, 26 minutes, 44 seconds and was 5th place overall. Holly Kimsey, 40, of Jasper, GA, won the half marathon female masters division in a time of 1 hour, 44 minutes, 46 seconds. Over 300 runners finished the half marathon, with a majority of the participants coming from the metro-Atlanta area and also from 13 different states (AL, CA, FL, GA, MA, MI, MS, NC, ND, OH, SC, TN, VA). The farthest traveled is from Los Angles, CA. Once again event sold out area hotels and filled local restaurants, and runners also stayed in nearby Dalton and into Gilmer County. Finishers were treated to smoked pulled-pork BBQ (BBQ by George, Decatur, Ga) and beer donated by Cold Creek Growlers (Eton, GA) for 21 and older participants. The race-course started on top of Fort Mountain. Westbound GA Hwy 52 was closed to road traffic for over an hour on Saturday morning April 30th. As part of the Georgia Department of Transportation permitting guidelines, the use of electronic messaging signs and numerous detour signs were posted to minimize traffic inconveniences resulting from the event for local residents.  The event organizer has heard wonderful feedback from the participants regarding the race and how welcoming the city of Chatsworth and Murray County has been for their race experience. Once again, the Murray County Commissioners Office support Brittany Pittman, Tommy Parker and Matthew Sanford (race volunteer) was crucial for allowing the race to occur on county roads and the use of county sheriffs. The Murray County Chamber’s help from Dinah Rowe (race volunteer) was also instrumental in connecting partnerships. Lastly, Chatsworth Police Department Chief Josh Etheridge’s enthusiasm and support for ensuring a safe, well-managed event is unparalleled in the experience of the race organizer. Participant Matt Davis wrote on IWeLife’s Facebook page “The Tear Drop Half Marathon was spectacular! This was my first half marathon, and even though I don't have anything to compare it to yet, I can't imagine a better event. The organizers did a great job, all the volunteers were helpful and friendly, and the course was everything I hoped it would be from the description on the event website” Another fan Nick Olson shared “The tear drop half was a well run event with amazing scenery and a nice course.” Spectator Will Bruner (supporter his wife who ran the ½ marathon) shot an amazing aerial video of the race and surrounding areas to share with all of us! The impact this event on the local economy is hard to gauge, however the event organizers spent well over $5000 with Murray County business and personnel. Factoring what nearly 400 participants spent over the weekend as well as the promotion that went into marketing the event and the city of Chatsworth around the region are the intangibles that can only be estimated at this point. We’re already looking forward to the 3rd annual in spring of 2017 and seeing how much more we can improve the event and grow the race!  Charity The event also benefited a local charity, Murray Arts Council, and raised $1,285 on their behalf through a portion of the registration fees, sponsorship, payment for volunteer support, and by participant donations. Runners that donated $25 or more received a signed 8x10 photograph of Fort Mountain by local businessman Benny Huggins. To learn more about the Tear Drop Half Marathon & 5k and Charity Challenge please visit www.teardrophalf.com Results About IWeLife A wellness event management company specializing in creating fitness themed events and programs to actively engage our partners through strategic planning and promotion. Below is chart representing from where the registrants were from by “credit card address"  Check out these awesome pictures from the race!  Bright & early one Saturday morning on April 9th, 2016, families all gathered to join the Miles for Smiles 5K, 1K & Tot Trot in partnership with IWeLife, held at & benefiting the Trinity Early Learning Center on Howell Mill Road. Runners enjoyed coffee & snacks preceding the race, which began at 8:00am. Kids & parents enjoyed a fun 1K around the building at 9:00am, with the little ones following behind at 9:15 enjoying their very own tot trot across the parking lot.  The overall male winner of the 5K went to Joey Jarrel, age 36 from Atlanta, GA with a time of 18:52. First female winner of the 5K was Ella Wallace, only 11 years old, clocking in her time at 21 minutes, 15 seconds. Female Master Winner was Christine Boucher, age 45 with a time of 27:05. Male Master Winner was Richard Lawrence, age 42, with a time of 20:13. Over $14,000 was raised through donations for the Miles for Smiles, which exceed the $12,000 goal! Winners of the bike raffle were TELC students Wills Pendley and Halle Toney.  After the race, runners enjoyed snacks & special gifts from the generous sponsors who came out to support this amazing event. The kids got to enjoy fun activities such as face painting, balloons, craft-making bracelets with cereal, and bubbles galore! The Chick-Fil-A cow even came out for a visit!  We would also like to thank all of our amazing sponsors for helping to make this event possible!  About IWeLife IWeLife is wellness event management company specializing in creating fitness themed events and programs to actively engage our partners through strategic planning and promotion. Our goal is to make Atlanta the fittest city in the country, and to Create Events That Matter. The sun was shining early on Saturday morning March 12, 2016, and everyone was sporting their green apparel when they came out to attend the 2nd Annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade 5K Run/Walk 2016! Over 225 runners participated in this wonderful and fun pre-St. Patrick's Parade along the streets of Midtown! The overall winner of the Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade 5K was Jim Feenan, age 34 from Atlanta, with a time of 19 minutes and 12 seconds. Followed closely by the first female winner- Maddie Anderskon- age 21, with a time of 19:33. Male Master Winner of the 5K was Peter Van Der Reyden, age 50, with a time of 21:39 and Female Master winner Geraldine Coyle, age 45 coming in at 28:03.  Runners enjoyed a fun walk & run through the streets of Downtown and Piedmont Park. Afterwards, participants enjoyed a post-race beer from Fado's- Atlanta's top Irish pub in the city, while waiting for the St. Patrick's Parade to start at noon. Kids also got to enjoy free Face Painting before the parade!  Race Director & Organizer, Sean Pfister, had this to say "We're so glad to see the race run on Peachtree Street and that everyone seemed to have a great time" Plus the event raised close to $3000 for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team In Training Georgia Chapter. 
About IWeLife IWeLife is wellness event management company specializing in creating fitness themed events and programs to actively engage our partners through strategic planning and promotion. Our goal is to make Atlanta the fittest city in the country, and to Create Events That Matter.  On Saturday, March 5th, 2016 at LeFont Theaters in Sandy Springs, Georgia, was the 33rd Annual Chattahoochee Road Race. Over 1000 of runners came from all around Georgia to attend this annual event, held by iWeLife. This year, we had 1090 runners! Over 250 more than last year! The winner of the 5K overall was Blake Jergensen, 34 years old from Atlanta at a time of 15 minutes and 54 seconds. Janel Blancett, 28 years old from Conley was the female overall 5K winner with a time of 18:02. Masters Male & Female winners were Brian Sydow from Johns Creek with at 16:35, and Amy Glahn coming from Atlanta with a time of 19 minutes and 40 seconds. The 10K overall winner was Jason Holder, 32 years old from Atlanta coming in at 33:09. Breanna Ragsdale from Atlanta, 32 years old came in at 39:04. Masters winners were Jeff Haertel, age 53 with a time of 36:21, and female masters winner was Dara Steele-Belkin age 41 with a time of 39:16 Coming in at the last mile for the 5K was Blake Jorgensen at 5:01, followed by Emily Borsare age 41 at 5:42. Masters winners were Bryan Sydow with a time of 5:13 and Amy Glahn with 6 minutes and 6 seconds. For the 10K last mile, that goes to Jason Parks with a time of 4:59, with Breanna Ragsdale following at 5:52. Masters of the 5K were Jeff Haertel with a time of 5:41, and Dara Steele from Belkin coming in at 5:54.  Over 1000 runners came out to participate. The race course started & finished near LeFont Theaters in Sandy Springs. Runners finished with warm delicious cookies from Great American Cookies. The Event Organizer, Sean Pfister, said: "We were so excited to see the event grow to over 1000 runners this year and that we raised over $5500 for both Chattahoochee Road Runners and Riverwood High School Athletic Association! The support from the city of Sandy Springs and our event's legacy is a partnership we're proud of maintaining." Sarah Foreman Reeves, one of the event's participants, had this to say: "Thank you! Loved the race and everyone working. You guys are awesome for giving me that early photo!"  About IWeLife IWeLife is wellness event management company specializing in creating fitness themed events and programs to actively engage our partners through strategic planning and promotion. Our goal is to make Atlanta the fittest city in the country, and to Create Events That Matter.  Norcross, GA –The Second Annual Peachtree Corners Holiday 10K & 5K was a huge success! People joined from all over Atlanta and surrounding areas to enjoy the early morning festivities. With weather warmer than usual for winter, everyone had a great time enjoying the end of the holiday season with fellow runners. Donning festive apparel, families and friends all joined to race into the new year! The 10K was won by Michael McLaughlin in a time of 43 minutes and 13 seconds, and the first female winner was Mary Bowman who covered the course in 46 minutes, 21 seconds.The 5K champion was local Run Bum in a time of 18 minutes, 50 seconds, followed closely by female winner Katrina Dubcova, who ran the time clocking at 21 minutes, 4 seconds. Steve White of Lawrenceville, GA won the 5K Master's Division in a time of 21 minutes, 27 seconds and was 3rd place overall. Female master winner of the 5K was Wendee McGuffee of Villa Rica at 29 minutes, 28 seconds. 10K Master winner was John Meredith who came in all the way from Fraser, Colorado, who's time was at 46 minutes, 46 seconds. Krys Crawford won the female Master's Division in a time of 54 minutes, 1 second.  Over 200 runners participated in the races, with a majority of the participants coming from the Metro-Atlanta area and from 13 different states. The farthest traveled is from Colorado. The race course started & finished near Parkway Business Park. Runners enjoyed the Scenic route through the surrounding streets and neighborhoods of Peachtree Corners, and finished with hot red beans and rice provided by New Orleans Blue Runner Foods.
The event organizer said "It felt more like the Peachtree Road Race than the Peachtree Corners Holiday Race because of the unseasonable warm 60's and muggy temps" "Still runners enjoyed red beans and rice and warm runner camaraderie afterward" Participant Clark Nickerson sent us an email and had this to say: "You guys put on a nice race today at Peachtree Corners. The course was well-marked, the runners were well-protected by police and your support crew, the mile markers were easily found (and seemed to be accurate), the race timing system was excellent, and the amenities (food, water, trash receptacles, etc.) were good. You kept people informed about likely weather conditions, which was a nice touch. Also, nice tee-shirts and post-race eats. This was my first experience with your group, and I’ll be back for other races. I hope to run the Chattahoochee Road Race in March." Thanks Clark! We love feedback. The event organizers are considering hosting a 3rd annual Peachtree Corners Holiday Run next December 2016, and hope to grow on the success of this year’s event. Increasing the support from the local area will be crucial in its growth.  Charity The event also benefited a local charity, Rainbow Village, and raised $1631 on their behalf through a portion of the registration fees, payment for volunteer support, and by participant donations. This wonderful charity is a housing community for homeless families with children in North Metro Atlanta. Donations of coats, pots and pans were generously given by participants at this event.  About IWeLife A wellness event management company specializing in creating fitness themed events and programs to actively engage our partners through strategic planning and promotion. Thanks again for supporting iWeLife! We're all about Creating Events That Matter!  Event Raises $605 for Local Charity Chatsworth, GA –The Inaugural Tear Drop Half Marathon was won by a Master (over 40 years of age) runner. The half marathon was won by 44 year old Tommy Jones, of Ellijay, in a time of 1 hour, 18 minutes, 25 seconds. Emily Manning, 34, of Jacksonville, FL, was the half marathon female champion, covering the course in a time of 1 hour, 28 minutes, 54 seconds. The 5K champion was by 31 year old Jackie Przybylowicz, of Chattanooga, TN in a time of 22:55. 41 year old Matt Crowder, of Atlanta was the 5K male champion. Rusty Burns, 45, of Fayetteville, GA, won the half marathon male master’s division in a time of 1 hour, 20 minutes, 31 seconds and was 3rd place overall. Kristen Mullett, 40, of Jasper, GA, won the half marathon female masters division in a time of 1 hour, 39 minutes, 31 seconds. Over 200 runners finished the half marathon, with a majority of the participants coming from the metro-Atlanta area and from 9 different states. The farthest traveled is from Norwalk, CT. The event sold out local hotels in the area, and runners also stayed in nearby Dalton and Gilmer County. The race course started on top of Fort Mountain. Westbound GA Hwy 52 was closed to road traffic for over an hour on Sunday morning May 17th. As part of the Georgia Department of Transportation permitting guidelines, the use of electronic messaging signs and numerous detour signs were posted to minimize traffic inconveniences resulting from the event for local residents. The event organizer said the chatter from all whom participated and traveled from outside the area enjoyed the event, its scenery, and the support of the community. The Chatsworth-Eton-Murray County Chamber of Commerce was extremely helpful with its support, including providing several volunteers on race morning and providing the necessary connections to make sure the event was locally promoted. Also, the Murray County Commissioners Office support was crucial for allowing the race to occur on county roads and the use of county sheriffs. Lastly, Chatsworth Police Department Chief Josh Etheridge’s dedication and time spent meeting with race officials was instrumental for the event’s success and lack of incidents. The event organizers are consider hosting a 2nd annual Tear Drop Half Marathon in May 2016, and hope to grow on the success of this year’s event. Increasing the support from the local area will be crucial in its growth. Charity The event also benefited a local charity, Helping Hands Food Pantry, and raised $605 on their behalf through a portion of the registration fees, payment for volunteer support, and by participant donations. To learn more about the Tear Drop Half Marathon & 5k and Charity Challenge please visit www.teardrophalf.com Results About IWeLife A wellness event management company specializing in creating fitness themed events and programs to actively engage our partners through strategic planning and promotion.  On Sunday, April 26th, 2015- Atlanta experienced its funkiest footrace in a 5K run/walk that kicked off the annual Inman Park Festivial. Folks from all over Atlanta came out on this beautiful spring morning in Inman Park for the Mary Lin Rocket Run. All proceeds benefit the Mary Lin Education Foundation, whose mission is to help Mary Lin Elementary School achieve its educational goals by providing instructional, physical, and technological opportunities for the enrichment of Mary Lin students. The Rocket Run 5K logo on all of the T-Shirts was designed by one of Mary Lin's own third-grade students! With beautiful spring weather, gorgeous scenery and plenty of excited runners, there was no shortage of fun at this fun 5K! Results can be found right here: Great job, Runners! See you at our next race- The Tear Drop Half Marathon!
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