Dear Members,

What better way to celebrate the beginning of the year than to have one of the most exciting football seasons culminate in an AFC/NFC Championship Game in our own backyard with our own Atlanta Falcons! This Sunday will be a thrilling competition against San Francisco with the winner advancing to the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 3, 2013 in New Orleans.

The Georgia Association joins all of Atlanta in sending best wishes to the Atlanta Falcons for tomorrow's game. 

GO BIRDS!

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 USATF Georgia Attends Atlanta Track Club Annual Social

The Atlanta Track Club held their annual social on January 10, 2013 at the Greystone at Piedmont Park in Atlanta.  In attendance from the Georgia Association Board were USATFGA Secretary Marlene Atwood, USATFGA Coaches Advisory Chair Ron Williams, and USATFGA President Ian Dube.

Featured speaker was Olympic Sprinter Manteo Mitchell.  Mitchell made news when he heard his leg snap as he ran his leg on the semi-final of the 1600m relay in London during the 2012 Olympics.  

The four-member U.S. team finished the race in 2 minutes, 58.87 seconds, tying for first place with the Bahamas and making history for the fastest time ever run in the first round of an Olympic relay.

Mitchell's speech was inspirational as he talked about the incident and how it had changed his life and allowed him to help motivate others.

(Pictured above from left:  Olympian Manteo Mitchell, USATF Coaches Advisory Chair Ron Williams, ATC Executive Director Tracey Russell, USATF GA President Ian Dube, USATF Masters Athlete of the Year Jeanne Daprano, USATFGA Secretary Marlene Atwood, USATF GA Sports Medicine Committee Chair Josh Glass, USATF GA President Ian Dube, ATC Registrar/Office Coordinator and USATF LDR Records Keeper.)

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Looking for a Vew Good Volunteers

Every year, the USATF Georgia Association volunteers at two long distance running events in the Atlanta area - the Georgia Publix Marathon and Half Marathon in March, and the Atlanta Track Club Half Marathon/5K in November.

The Georgia Publix Marathon is on March 17, 2013 this year - St. Patrick's Day.  In its 7th year, they are calling it the "Lucky 7".  The Georgia Association mans a water stop at Mile 7 (North Avenue and Freedom Parkway).  We need at least 30 volunteers in order to serve over 18,000 runners coming through our area on race day.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact secretary@usatfga.org. All volunteers need to register by February 8th.

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Upcoming Officials Clinics

• January 26, 2013 - Event Clinic (Starting) - Berkmar High School, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• February 2, 2013 - New Certifications/Recertifications Clinic - Smyrna Community Center, 2 p.m. to finish
• February 10, 2013 - New Certification/Recertification Clinic - Emory University 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• February  24, 2013 - Event Clinic (Pole Vault, High Jump, Referree, Clerking) - Emory University 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

For more information, please contact Officials Chair Murray Sanford, murraysanford@bellsouth.net, 770-928-4950.

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Upcoming USATF Georgia Sanctioned Events:

1/27/13 - Bee Brave 5K, Kennesaw, GA - 5 km

2/16/13 - Race for the City - Newnan, Newnan, GA - 5 km

3/3/13 - The Daffodil Dash 5K, Dunwoody, GA, 5 km

3/22-23/13 - Dixie 200 Relay, Mableton, GA - 200 mi relay

3/24/13 - Feet To Feed 5K, Canton, GA - 5 km

3/30/13 - Dental Dash at Dawn 5K, Atlanta, GA - 5 km

 Visit our Georgia Calendar

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Support Our Georgia Sponsors

• Peachy Parking - Discount Airport Parking for Georgia Members - For online reservations, click Here. 
• Road Runner Sports, Atlanta - Gold Level Sponsor
• Emory Healthcare, Emory Sports Medicine