Run the Reagan Arrives

For weeks, Michael Kolodzy has been working up to this moment -- running during the week, training in between two jobs and leaning on his wife, Katie, to help make it all happen. For the first time, the Snellville dad of four will be running in his first 10K race Saturday.

"I was never a runner in high school," he said. "I never enjoyed running."

But, for several months, the 31-year-old architect has been running in one race a month. He's only tried 5K runs, but today he is pushing himself to do more as he joins more than 2,500 people in Saturday's 17th annual Run the Reagan race in Snellville.

He'll be running the 10k, and he hopes to come in under 53 minutes. Top runners can finish the race in under 40 minutes, but Kolodzy is pacing himself. He expects the run to be good training for the Peachtree Road Race in July.

"Any bit of running is better than nothing," Kolodzy said. "When I started I was doing a mile and half, and I was slow."

Today as the runs the major highway, Kolodzy's wife and children, ages 7 to 1, will be there to support him. And, while they are supporting him, Kolodzy and the other participants will be supporting two local charities: Young Life, a faith-based nonprofit, and the Gwinnett Community Clinic.

Parks Mann, a race organizer, said Run the Reagan is the kind of race that's good for the entire family. A board member with the Gwinnett Community Clinic, the 64-year-old has been involved with race since its inception. 

"It's something that the family can do together because we got something for eerybody," he said Friday as helped do last-minute preparations for the race.

Not only will there be a 5K, 10K and half-marathon going on, but novice runners and walkers can particpate in a one-mile fun run. There will also be other family events going on to celebrate the day.

To help ensure families are safe, Ronald Reagan Parkway will be closed to vehicle traffic. 

"We do it for the community," said Tom Mayfield, of Young Life. "Really, it's a year-round endeavor."

What enables folks like Kolodzy to come out and participate is a testament to the hard word of more than 200 volunteers, Mayfield added.

For Kolodzy, running the race is a way to keep up a commitment that he made to himself a few months ago. Being healthy is becoming a state of mind. He runs at Chastain Park after his architect day job, and on the weekends in between his part-time job, as well.

"I still get home and the kids are ready for me to read them bedtime stories," he added.

His advice to others beginning a running or exercise routine is to make it a priority and to "stay motivated." They can also do what he's done, testing himself in various races like Run the Reagan.

"Some people start at slower paces than others," he said. "I'm in better shape than I've probably been in my whole life."