Bananas, apples, muffins, bagels from Jason’s Deli and Jittery Joe’s “Taste of Athens” blend coffee greeted everyone crossing the finish line of “Taste 10k.”
It was a good way to end.
Several runners from many different Georgia counties and surrounding states participated in the second annual Taste of Athens 10K, which kicked off the Taste of Athens weekend. Around 340 runners participated in the event.
For one father, daughter and son-in-law, this was their first Taste of Athens 10K.
Terry Wonderlin of Franklin, Tenn. joined his daughter, Whitni McConnell, and her husband, Michael McConnell, in the race.
“Just got started again,” Wonderlin said. “These are fun. They force you to train and get serious. I wasn’t expecting everything to be this silly.”
Whitni, graduate student in exercise physiology at the University, has a lot of experience running competitively and placed second in her age group.
“She use to run track and field at UGA,” said Michael, air force ROTC instructor at the University.
For Michael, running is about performance.
“This just keeps me fit to fight,” he said.
Twelve cadets from the University’s air force ROTC program volunteered at water stations and other positions along the course as a part of their community service on behalf of the Arnold Air Society and Active America.
The overall energy and spirit of the race was contagious. Water stations and volunteers provided welcome relief and support; and runners who finished ran backwards to cheer everyone else to the finish line. The course’s straight lines made it a relatively easy race to run, with a few hills for an extra challenge. Most runners, including myself, found the experience exciting and pleasantly exhausting.
The Taste of Athens evening that followed was like an AthFest of one-of-a-kind restaurants and chains founded in Athens, complete with live music by the Athens A-Train Band and four, long tables offering goods and services through a silent auction.
“The room will fill,” said Dawn Aiello, program director of Community Connection of Northeast Georgia.
And it did.
The first stage of the event allowed VIP ticket holders in, then regular ticket holders a little later. In the immense room’s center was a VIP garden with tables and chairs. Outside the garden, tall tables allowed participants to pause with small eats and drinks.
Some of the participants are annual regulars.
“We’ve lived here for 24 years,” said Dana Richier, a participant. “Every year they’ve had this, we’ve attended. The flow is better. Even entering is much easier.”
The scale, preparation and participation in the event by restaurants, volunteers and tasters were astounding characteristics. A wide variety of cuisines, styles and tastes of food and beverages were available — whatever someone might crave seemed available. Even though each restaurant served a small portion of its main or special dishes, many attendees commented on how full they felt after visiting several, but not all, of the tables.
Classic City Roller Girls skated through the event, handing out brochures, menus and business cards.
“This is one event that we do every year,” said Kelley Bennett, also known as “Peewee Slayhouse,” with the CCRG. “This is our sixth year and we still do it. We get so many people who ask to take pictures.”
In addition to CCNEGA, Consultants Unlimited helped ensure the event was a success.
“We partner with Community Connection,” said Michele Turner of Consultants Unlimited. “We do weddings primarily, but we also do philanthropic events. This is our biggest event of the year.”
The night included awards: Em’s Kitchen won “Best Presentation,” Piccolo’s Italian Steak House won “Best Food,” Jittery Joe’s won “Best Drink” and Taste of India won “Audience Choice” for this year’s Taste of Athens awards.
“We had great attendance,” said Candy Sherman, who sits on CCNEGA’s board. “We had a great number of vendors and great foot traffic. People said that they had enough good food and drinks and they enjoyed the music. What’s not to like? They all pulled together to create this wonderful event.”