Atlanta Half Marathon 2011
ATLANTA – (November 24, 2011) – More than 12,800 runners and walkers kicked off Thanksgiving morning at the 2011 Atlanta Half Marathon events on Thursday, and 2011 marked the largest participant field in the Thanksgiving Day event’s history. Along with the Atlanta Half Marathon, the event featured the sold-out Thanksgiving Day 5K as well as the Mashed Potato Mile for children ages 7 to 12 and the Gravy Gallop for kids ages 6 and under.
“The events of the Atlanta Half Marathon really exemplify the Atlanta Track Club’s mission of inspiring and engaging the community to achieve health and fitness through running,” said Tracey Russell, Executive Director of the Atlanta Track Club. “It’s really incredible to see people of all ages and abilities kicking off their holiday in such a healthy and fun way.”
Atlanta Track Club member Sean Burris, 29, of Dunwoody, Ga. won the 32nd edition of the 13.1 mile road race in a time of 1 hour, 8 minutes, 34 seconds, nearly a minute and a half ahead of runner-up Andrew Heath, 27, of Atlanta.
Burris pulled away from the lead pack near mile seven and maintained his lead through the finish. Along with winning the Atlanta Half Marathon, Burris also claimed the 2011 USATF-GA Men’s Half Marathon title along with receiving an all-expenses paid trip to Jacksonville, Fla. to compete in the 2012 USA 15K Championship at the Gate River Run on March 10. Next up for Burris will be the 2011 USATF National Club Cross Country Championships on December 10 in Seattle where he will represent the Atlanta Track Club.
In the women’s race, Erin Sutton, 24, of Woodstock, Ga. defended her title with a time of 1:20:17, more than a minute faster than her 2010 finish. Sutton edged out 2007 Atlanta Half Marathon winner and recent Rock ‘n’ Roll Savannah Marathon winner, Jill Horst, 33, of Rome Ga. by six seconds. Sutton plans to continue to ramp up her long distance training as she begins to prepare for her first marathon in April.
The Masters (40 and older) half-marathon winners were Scott Lowe, 40, Canton, Ga. and Tamara Karrh, 42, Marietta, Ga. in 1:15:56 and 1:21:35 respectively. Karrh also finished third women overall.
In the second running of the Thanksgiving Day 5K, which featured a new start line and course, Andrew Fuller, 26, of Rome, Ga. took home a victory in the men’s division in 15:40, while Sarah Gentry, 20, of Plano, Texas won the women’s 5K, clocking 20:58.
32nd Atlanta Half Marathon
Atlanta, GA, Thursday, November 24, 2011
MEN
1) Sean Burris (GA), 1:08:34
2) Andrew Heath (GA), 1:10:00
3) Cory Baumann (GA), 1:10:04
WOMEN
1) Erin Sutton (GA), 1:20:17
2) Jill Horst (GA), 1:20:23
3) Tamara Karrh, 42, GA, 1:21:35 (top Master)
