Race for Riley takes off April 27

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It is time again for one of the premier fundraisers in southwest metro Atlanta as the 9th annual Race for Riley is set for April 27 in the Serenbe community in Chattahoochee Hills. The heavily attended fundraiser featuring a 5K race and bike ride benefits the Joseph Sams School in Fayetteville.

The annual Race for Riley commonly draws more than 1,000 participants, and this year should be no exception.

The annual fundraiser will be held rain or shine, with the 5K Run/Walk beginning at 8:30 a.m. followed by a 1-mile Run at 9 a.m. and the Tot Trot at 9:30 a.m.

The bike ride begins at 10 a.m. and includes 10-mile, 30-mile and 62-mile courses through the scenic rolling countryside of Chattahoochee Hills in rural south Fulton County.

Pre-registration for the event is strongly encouraged. All pre-registered entrants will receive a Race for Riley short-sleeve shirt. To enter, visit www.raceforriley.org or register at www.active.com

The Serenbe community in the city of Chattahoochee Hills can be access by Hutcheson Ferry Road or by Atlanta Newnan Road. For more information on the event and to view registration details and a map to Serenbe visit www.raceforriley.org

Now in its ninth year, the heavily attended fundraiser initially saw proceeds going to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, the organization dedicated to the debilitating, systemic condition with which Riley was diagnosed when she was two years old. And for the past several years the event has served as a fundraiser for The Joseph Sams School for special needs students in Fayetteville.

“Our goal is to improve the lives of the children that attend the school,” said Riley’s mom, Waynette Peek. “From the first day that Riley walked into the her classroom, her quality of life and our peace of mind improved because we had found a safe, loving learning environment for our daughter. Having a place like JSS is a blessing that cannot be adequately described.”

The annual event has raised more than $400,000 for the Joseph Sams School in the past six years.

Sponsors of the 2013 Race for Riley include Flue Gas, A New Start Counseling Center, Delta Community Credit Union, Southtowne Motors of Newnan, GreyStone Power, The Citizen newspapers and Atlanta Trek Bicycles sponsoring the bike ride.