Roswell, Ga. – Aug. 18
The AREA 13.1 half-marathon race was created to honor the life of Matthew E. Russell, who passed away at the age of 22. Matthew had a passion to bring education and hope to the Zulu people of South Africa. He spent the last 10 years of his life taking bi-yearly trips to South Africa to make this happen. Through a nonprofit organization called Life Connection Ministries, Matthew was a key player in drilling fresh-water wells, erecting greenhouses, constructing classrooms, and educating in them. Therefore, the main beneficiary of the AREA 13.1 half-marathon will be Life Connection Ministries to keep his dream alive and see a library built in his name. Each racer will be provided with glow-in-the-dark bracelets and an extraterrestrial-friendly shirt, and all finishers will receive an “I Escaped the Aliens” medal. Our awesome sponsors will be representing themselves with company giveaways. The aliens are coming. Will you escape?