Athens to Atlanta Road Skate (The A2A)
Encyclopedia
The Athens to Atlanta Road Skate, also called the A2A, is America
’s oldest road skating
event. Held each October since 1972, the race consists of 3 different distances: the Full 87 miles, the Half 38 miles and the Double Marathon 52 miles. The main course passes through North Georgia
’s countryside and goes into downtown Atlanta, Georgia
, finishing in Piedmont Park
.
and Italy
..
and wind through rural north Georgia
. At the 38-mile station, those competing in the 38-mile distance, board a free bus to be taken either back to Athens or to the 87-mile finish line in downtown Atlanta at Piedmont Park
.
The 52-mile distance, or double marathon, starts in Dacula, Georgia
and merges with the 87-mile course just after the 3rd checkpoint and ends in Piedmont Park.
Women – Martine Charbonneau, age 29, in 2007 finished with time 4:41:40
Women – Melissa Escobar, age 18, in 2006 finished with time 3:19:01
Women – Debbie Rice, age 32, in 2000 finished with time 2:07:57
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
’s oldest road skating
Road skating
Road skating is the sport of skating on roads, much like road cycling. It shares much with Inline speed skating....
event. Held each October since 1972, the race consists of 3 different distances: the Full 87 miles, the Half 38 miles and the Double Marathon 52 miles. The main course passes through North Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
’s countryside and goes into downtown Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, finishing in Piedmont Park
Piedmont Park
Piedmont Park is a urban park in Atlanta, Georgia, located about northeast of Downtown, between the Midtown and Virginia Highland neighborhoods. Originally the land was owned by Dr. Benjamin Walker, who used it as his out-of-town gentleman's farm and residence...
.
Race Information and Breakdown
Among road skaters, the A2A is considered an important test of endurance and stamina. Participants come from as far away as GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
..
87, 52, and 38 mile distances
Both the 87, or full, and 38, or half, mile distances start in Athens, GeorgiaAthens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
and wind through rural north Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. At the 38-mile station, those competing in the 38-mile distance, board a free bus to be taken either back to Athens or to the 87-mile finish line in downtown Atlanta at Piedmont Park
Piedmont Park
Piedmont Park is a urban park in Atlanta, Georgia, located about northeast of Downtown, between the Midtown and Virginia Highland neighborhoods. Originally the land was owned by Dr. Benjamin Walker, who used it as his out-of-town gentleman's farm and residence...
.
The 52-mile distance, or double marathon, starts in Dacula, Georgia
Dacula, Georgia
As of 2010 Dacula had a population of 4,442. the median age was 35.2. There were 1,472 households with 92.0% of housing units occupied. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 76.6% white , 11.3% black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.4% Asian Indian, 2.8% other...
and merges with the 87-mile course just after the 3rd checkpoint and ends in Piedmont Park.
Race Records
Information received from the A2A official website http://www.a2a.net/results-topfin.htm.Full Distance
Men - Benoit Perthuis, age 26, in 2000 finished with time 4:19:24Women – Martine Charbonneau, age 29, in 2007 finished with time 4:41:40
Double Marathon
Men – Jonathan Gorman, age 16, in 2003 finished with time 2:49:31Women – Melissa Escobar, age 18, in 2006 finished with time 3:19:01
Half Distance
Men – Jonathan Gorman, age 15, in 2002 finished with time 1:56:56Women – Debbie Rice, age 32, in 2000 finished with time 2:07:57