Walton’s Jeff Paul readies for his 15th AthHalf Half Marathon
The countdown is on. In a matter of weeks, 60-year-old Jeff Paul will lace up his running shoes and head to the starting line in downtown Athens to compete in the AthHalf Half Marathon. The race marks the 15th consecutive year he has completed the 13.1 mile course to benefit music and arts education for youth in Athens-Clarke County.
“I’ve done every one [AthHalf events] so far,” said Paul, member services director for Walton EMC, parent company of Walton Gas. On his office wall hangs evidence of the accomplishment: a shiny medal for each of the previous races completed. He’s one of only a handful of participants who have run every year.
2024 AthHalf Half Marathon & AthFest Educates 5K
15th Annual Half Marathon • Sunday, Nov. 3, 7:30 am
8th Annual AthFest Educates 5K • Saturday, Nov. 2, 2:30 pm
Deciding to participate in the first AthHalf came only five years after Paul rekindled a love for running.
“I ran some when I was in college, but stopped when I got married and had kids,” he said. He began running again at age 40.
When the announcement came that there would be a local half marathon, he and a running buddy decided to give it a try.
“I had done some 5Ks and 10Ks before, but I had never done a half marathon,” he said about tackling the longer distance.
Readying for the race
Preparing to run a half marathon takes preparation. Paul tries to run four to five days a week, averaging a 5K distance each time out. He also participates in some other races throughout the state in preparation for THE race.
“The AthHalf is the only race I do every year.”
“The AthHalf is the only race I do every year,” he said.
Each year Paul signs up for the AthHalf official training program offered free in partnership with Fleet Feet Athens. The training program includes a free weekly group run on Saturday mornings, starting in August and running consecutively through the week before race weekend.
“I can’t say enough good things about this program,” Paul said. “There are usually about 70 people who do this weekly training. We build up, running different parts of the course each week. So, by race day, you’re ready.”
Conditioning is only part of the reason Paul likes participating in the training program. He’s also a fan of its social aspects.
“I’ve met so many people from doing the AthHalf and the training leading up to it,” he said, talking about some of the unlikely friendships he’s made through the years. “Where else would a guy like me have met and become good friends with a PhD candidate from Chicago?”
See you there!
Walton Gas has been a presenting sponsor of the AthHalf Half Marathon & 5K since 2019. Employees from both Walton Gas and Walton EMC turn out to support both events as participants and volunteers.
The 8th Annual 5K occurs on Nov. 2. This course explores downtown Athens and the Boulevard neighborhood with a live band at the start and finish line to help runners celebrate their accomplishment.
Paul is one of 17 employees and their families training to run this year’s half marathon on Nov. 3. The course winds through Athens’ historic districts, downtown and the University of Georgia campus, with local bands performing live along the way. Athens residents come out in force to cheer on and entertain runners along the way, adding to the fun energy of the event.
The final steps of the course are run through UGA’s Sanford Stadium, the legendary home of Bulldog football. When participants cross the finish line, they are greeted by Walton Gas team members handing out medals that commemorate the accomplishment. After all these years, it remains a highlight for Paul.
“Crossing the finish line is still just as exciting. When I finish,
there are all these Walton Gas people there with me.”
“Crossing the finish line is still just as exciting,” he said. “When I finish, there are all these Walton Gas people there with me.”
Though it’s a competitive race, having the fastest time is never Paul’s goal. Instead, he sees how many fellow runners he can urge across the finish line. In his best year to date, he helped six runners make it to the end to claim a medal.
“If I see somebody walking, I give them a pat on the back and some words of encouragement to get them started back,” he said.
Get moving
To join Jeff Paul and the Walton Gas team at this year’s AthHalf Half Marathon & 5K, register now at athhalf.com. Or, if you’re looking to jumpstart a running habit, Paul suggests looking into area 5K and 10K races to condition for next year’s half marathon.
He recommends the Firefly Trail Race Series as a great place to start. For a comprehensive listing of races in Georgia, check out rungeorgia.com and runningintheusa.com.
He also urges joining a club or training group, explaining: “Running is so much better with a group.”