Runners and walkers looking to save money and increase the good they do for area communities are invited to register for the 2020 Firefly Trail Race Series, which brings together registration for four local races in support of the Firefly Trail.

The inaugural race series is presented by Coldwell Banker Upchurch Realty and managed by Classic Race Services. It will provide competitive and recreational running and walking opportunities in towns formerly linked by the historic Athens Branch of the Georgia Railroad. This 39-mile transportation corridor is being converted into a non-motorized rail-trail between Athens and Union Point. A safe, off-road path for walking, running, biking, skating and other non-motorized uses, the Firefly Trail will connect three counties and eight communities, offer health benefits, boost economies and bring people together.
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The Firefly Trail Race Series features these events in 2020:

-  Winterville Snowflake 10K, Jan. 25, 9 a.m., a Peachtree qualifier, starting at 101 South Marigold Lane

-  Maxeys Model Mile 5K, May 2, 7:30 a.m., starting on Laurel Lane off Ga. 77

-  Crawford Restoration Run 5K, Sept. 7, 7:30 a.m., starting at the Crawford Depot on US 78

-  Union Point Junction Jamboree Jog 5K, Sept. 26, 8:30 a.m., starting at 206 Veazey St.

"This inaugural race series will highlight the strong connections between Firefly Trail and the cities along its 39-mile corridor," said John Kissane, Trail Development Coordinator and an avid runner. "In addition, the series will highlight the potential Firefly Trail holds for attracting a variety of fun recreational activities to the area." 

"The four races that compose the 2020 series are established events," noted Anne Garner, Firefly Trail Inc., Board member and lead organizer of the Maxeys Model Mile 5K. "But each subsequent year, as Firefly Trail progresses toward completion, we envision the race series expanding and improving. And each race in the series welcomes competitive runners as well as fitness joggers and recreational walkers of all ages."

Registration is open through Jan. 20, 2020, at $64 per runner/walker, a price that works out to just $16 per race. Registration includes all awards, services and incentives offered by each race, including t-shirts. In addition, Classic Race Services will award points for the Black Bag Race Series, and the Firefly Trail Race Series awards will be presented on Sept. 26 after the Union Junction Jamboree 5K.
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Click here to download the registration form. One form can be used for up to four participants. Please note that payment by check is required, made payable to Firefly Trail Inc. The form and check must be mailed to Classic Race Services, 1860 Barnett Shoals Road, Suite 103-498, Athens, GA 30605, on or before Jan. 20, 2020.

Lee Morgan, president of the Oconee County Cycling Organization, presented Firefly Trail Inc. with a check for $1000 to support the Firefly Trail and raise awareness of bicycling and bicycle safety throughout our region. The funds came from the 2019 Tour d'Oconee, a mass participation bicycling event held May 11 in Oconee County.  Thank you Lee and Oconee County Cycling Organization! 

Great turnout for the East Campus Bridge dedication on September 5th.  The Hodgson Wind Ensemble brass section played a piece composed by UGA student Cameron Gwynn specifically for the occasion.  Prior to the ribbon cutting, Mayor Kelly Girtz spoke about the importance of connecting our community through multi-use trails.  This new bridge provides an important new connection from the Greenway and Firefly trails to the UGA Campus, 5 points, and beyond.  Thank you to ACC Leisure Services, the ACC Mayor and Commission, UGA, and everyone involved in this project! 

​Residents of Oglethorpe County and others who are interested are invited to attend a Firefly Trail open house January 31 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Crawford Depot, 1158 Athens Road, Crawford. Attendees will learn about plans for the proposed 39-mile trail for non-motorized use along the historic Athens Branch of the Georgia Railroad.
                                             
Highlighting the event will be comments from Ty Houck, director of Greenways and Natural and Historic Resources in Greenville, S.C. In his position with Greenville County, Houck has had extensive involvement with the highly successful Swamp Rabbit Trail between Travelers Rest and Greenville. Also participating will be board members of Firefly Trail, Inc., a non-profit organization that works to make the Firefly Trail a reality.
 
Planned as a recreational and active transportation path for pedestrian, bicycle and other non-motorized uses, Firefly Trail is already under construction in Athens-Clarke County with Model Mile segments soon to be built in Winterville, Maxeys and Union Point. Funding for Firefly Trail comes from a variety of public and private sources.
 
When completed, the rail-trail will be a safe and family-friendly recreational resource that promises to bring health and economic benefits to the communities along the corridor.
 
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the program will begin at 6 p.m. Refreshments will be served. For more information about the Firefly Trail, please visit www.fireflytrail.com.