Emerging from the last long uphill climb, one, two, and then a third runner made their way to the top of the quarry, the finish line just in sight.

“Alright ladies and gentlemen, we’ve got Alexis Kenyrik from Grayson,” the announcer boomed, his mic cutting through cheers. “Welcome back — you just crushed it.”

“(The run) raises money for two of our partner schools — Meadowcreek High School and Meadowcreek Elementary, which are right around the corner from us — and Radloff Middle School, which are all Title I schools,” Carol Landrum said. “This year we added the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta and one of their pillars is a healthy lifestyle, so a run was ideal.”