Elite and casual athletes in Cobb's U.S. 10K Classic

By MICHELLE HISKEY
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 09/03/07

In a scorching summer for runners and walkers, thousands likely will get another holiday reprieve today in metro Atlanta's second-largest 10K race.

The U.S. 10K Classic expects more than 13,000 entrants from at least 48 countries to run, walk, pedal, skate and push wheelchairs 6.2 miles along U.S. 41/Cobb Parkway.

The only bigger event is The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race on July 4, also run in relatively mild heat.

"The weather's cooling down, which is great," organizer Don Whitney said.

A forecast around 80 degrees is a gift to athletes who have trained through many 100-degree days since the Peachtree.

In its 14th year, the U.S. 10K will again bring in some of the country's top distance runners and cyclists on track to peak for next summer's Olympics. Here, another incentive are lucrative purses such as $10,000 first prize for the top male cyclist, decided after 100 kilometers. The race also doubles as the National Inline Skating Championship.

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