Team Decatur Wins Big in Downtown Atlanta 5K

is the city-sponsored fitness group that walks and runs together, easily recognizable because of their neon green T-shirts.

The highlight of the training season is the Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk, which was held Thursday. Patti Ghezzi of Greater Good Communications provided this report of the event.

They wore their bright green T-shirts with pride. Some ran. Some walked. One even won the race.   

On Thursday, 170 Decaturites ranging in age from 11 to 72 participated in the Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk. The race began and ended under the Olympic Rings at Turner Field.

Kim Bentley, who won the race in the female category with a time of 18 minutes and 30 seconds, . Kelly Walsh, who is on our Decatur Active Living Board, won first place women's masters.

At the awards ceremony after the race,  

Do you have photos of the Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk? You can share them with the community by posting on Patch Pics & Clips.

“Decatur comes out with great team spirit and just never gives up on promoting good health,” said Jeff Galloway, and Olympian and running expert who has produced the race for 30 years.  

The city’s has sponsored Team Decatur for the past three years. City leaders are in favor of cycling, yoga and any other exercise that gets its citizens moving, but walking has widespread appeal.

“Walking is accessible to everyone,” says Cheryl Burnette, assistant director of the Active Living department. “All you need is a pair of shoes.”

, encourages everyone he knows to sign up for Team Decatur. “If you can make it fun and social, you’ll get the participation,” he says.

Residents who complete the Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk as well as three of Decatur’s five local races are declared winners in the city’s Grand Slam Fitness Challenge.  

“This is what we believe in,” says Greg White, director of Active Living. “It’s about participating at your level, whatever that may be.”  

The goal of the Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk & Fitness Program is to encourage workplace wellness and give friends and colleagues a fun opportunity to get fit together.

A portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit the Atlanta Braves Foundation, Back on My Feet and the Atlanta Community Food Bank.