Inaugural Intown Ten Race Set for Sunday

Virginia-Highland resident Rob Glancy is no stranger to road races.

From local 5K races to the annual Peachtree Road Race, Glancy runs in roughly 20 competitions every year.

But this Sunday, Glancy will be more than a just a participant.

Glancy is the organizer of the inaugural set for Sunday, March 4, at in Virginia-Highland.

The race is a Peachtree Road Race qualifier and proceeds from the event will benefit John Howell Park.

"I wanted to dedicate a fundraiser to support parks in the neighborhood," Glancy said. "There are not a lot of 10Ks in the area so it seemed like a good niche to fill."

Glancy, 44, moved to Virginia-Highland in 1998 and has been actively involved in maintaining neighborhood parks since 2001.

"I started planting trees when I was under 10-years-old," he said. "I just have always kind of had that sort of earthy, get your hands dirty, passion."

A self-described competitor, the Intown Ten race merges Glancy’s passions: running and nature.

A cross-country runner since high school, Glancy said he's been running since he was a little kid.

"I used to like to run through the woods and pretend that I was big foot," he said.

Today, he said it helps him to balance work and day-to-day life.

"Running is just a good outlet, a good way to clear your head," he said. "You don’t have to worry about the phone ringing or getting texts or emails so you can kind of get your head around things."

He estimated he runs 10 to 20 5K races each year, three to four 10K races and one or two half-marathons, and said he's been "taking notes over the years."

Glancy worked with volunteers to design and maintain the website for the race and started planning the event about three months ago.

About 700 participants were registered as of Tuesday. The race is capped at 1,000 runners and the deadline to enter is March 1 at 6 p.m.

"I’m excited," Glancy said about the race.

To register: Visit Phidippides Ansley Mall, 1544 Piedmont Ave.

Sunday, March 4 at 8 a.m. at John Howell Park, Virginia Ave NE & Barnett St.

Glancy and others are co-hosting a natural running clinic by Newton Running on Feb. 29 from 6 to 8pm at Road Runner Sports in Buckhead, 3756 Roswell Rd. Participants will receive 10-percent off Newton Running Shoes and 20-percent off if you are a Road Runner VIP member. Glancy will be on site to take registrations for the Intown Ten.