Kim Ness (left) registers runners for the Taste of Athens 10k. ROBYN JOHNSON/Staff
The Community Connection of Northeast Georgia is celebrating its twenty-ninth year of getting, giving and growing help.
“Taste of Athens,” the largest fundraising event for the CCNEGA, will run for its 19th year. Local restaurants and chains provide the event’s samplings and a silent auction also benefits the organization — which acts as an umbrella for the region, distributing, providing and connecting service-providers with those who need services.
During its first year, around 300 runners registered for the “Taste 10K” and around 20 participated in the one mile, “Family Fun Walk/Run” event.
“This year, we’re hoping for 400,” said Julie Meehan, executive director of CCNEGA.
Ever since the race joined the “Taste of Athens,” the event has expanded.
“We’ve turned it into a ‘Taste of Athens’ weekend,” Meehan said.
By providing the 10K, the organization offers another event people can participate in to support the cause.
If anyone wants to participate, but not for 6.2 miles, there is also the one-mile option.
“We would like to see mentor agencies bring their mentees, but also for the schools to bring their students to participate,” said Dawn Aiello, CCNEGA program director and race director.
The school with the most participating mentees or students can win a $100 from Academy Sports & Outdoors.
Not only has the event grown in duration, it’s grown in participation as well.
“One of the great things about Athens is the number and quality of our local restaurants,” Meehan said. “We have more restaurants than ever in this ‘Taste of Athens.’”
As more restaurants are joining the “Taste of Athens” event, more runners are participating in the “Taste 10K.”
“We are ahead of where we were at this time last year by a pretty good bit,” Aiello said.
“The idea of a race came out of our board, and one of our past board members owns Swagger.us,” Aiello said. “He helped us with all of the technical details with the race. He started the Athens Twilight event and still runs it.”
Other physical events such as the Athens, Ga. Half Marathon for AthFest and the Tri To Beat Cancer Triathlon for the Cancer Foundation of Northeast Georgia have garnered a lot of support.
“We thought we would go with a 10K and push it a little bit,” Meehan said. “We know the Half Marathon and Triathlon have done really well.”
Gene Dixon’s idea for the 10K and its development represents the organization’s mission to “Give Help,” which connects volunteers to opportunities within the community through the HandsOn Northeast Georgia program.
“We don’t use any of the race companies because our previous board member is donating his time to help us,” Aiello said.
The course is well-suited to the event as it stretches through downtown Athens past many of the participating eateries.
“We wanted it to highlight the ‘Taste of Athens’ restaurants,” Aiello said.
At the finish line, Jittery Joe’s coffee and refreshments by Jason’s Deli will be served.
But this year’s race takes on a new significance from last year.
“One new piece is that the course is measured and certified to qualify for the Peachtree [Road] Race in the summer,” Aiello said. “It can’t just be any course; it has to be a certified course. We want it to be a very serious race.”
“TASTE 10K”
When: Today at 8 a.m.
Where: Near City Hall downtown
Cost: $30 for 10K, $15 for Family Walk/Run
“TASTE OF ATHENS”
When: Tomorrow from 5 to 8 p.m.
Where: The Classic Center
Cost: $45 for a general ticket, $65 for a combination ticket or $75 for a VIP ticket