The Soque River Ramble is back and bigger than ever on Saturday, with three different courses along Northeast Georgia’s beautiful Soque River at the height of “leaf season,” and it’s all for a great cause.
“We’re super, super excited to come back this year, and be able to come back bigger and better,” says River Ramble organizer and Hope Thrives Director of Operations, Cameron Lopez.
Last year’s Soque River Ramble, like many events across the state and nation, was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While canceling events wasn’t ideal for many organizations, the Soque River Ramble was able to expand to offer more racing opportunities.
The original race, which started 14 years ago, began as a 6K along the Soque River. But as the race has expanded, the Soque River Ramble has grown to offer more courses to run. Not only will the ramble have a “Fun Run” and opportunities to race completely virtually, but it will offer a 10K course that will serve as a qualifier for the Atlanta Peachtree Road Race.
“We are very, very excited about being able to have this race this year,” Lopez says. “And super excited about the 10K being an AJC Peachtree Road Race qualifying event.”
The 10K course runs separately from the 6K course and “Fun Run” to meet the Peachtree Road Race’s qualification standards, which must be on paved road. Lopez says that even though these runners will be on a different path from the usual route, which is known for its beauty, 10K runners can still look forward to a scenic race.
“We’ve had to plot a brand new course,” Lopez says. “You still get the same beautiful scenery [on the 10K course], we’re just not following the river for the 10K.”
Aside from the race’s courses being a wonderful way for racers to see Northeast Georgia’s nature, funds generated by the race go to support a great cause.
The Soque River Ramble benefits “Hope Thrives,” a Christian organization providing care, support and resources to women who were victims of childhood sexual abuse.
“The mission of Hope Thrives is dependent on supporters, like the people who run this [race],” Lopez says. “The programs that we offer are completely free to the survivors of sexual abuse. We don’t charge, and we are totally dependent on God’s provision and on fundraisers and supporters.”
Event attendees can also look forward to vendors, food and live music alongside the run.
The Soque River Ramble is divided into three races, the “Fun Run,” a one-mile event, begins at 8:30 a.m., the 6K begins at 9:00 a.m. and the 10K begins at 10:30 a.m. at Wilbanks Farm in Batesville.
Anyone who wants to join the race can register online up until Saturday morning, the day of the race.
