Gladiators Announce Details of Team's First Ever 5k Race/Walk

DULUTH, Ga. – The Atlanta Gladiators announced Wednesday that the team will hold an Inaugural 5k Race/Walk called Circus Maximus on Saturday, November 3rd at the Infinite Energy Center.

“We are on a mission to try as many new things as possible to get our fans involved and to raise money for the Atlanta Gladiators Foundation,” said Team President Scott Henrichsen. “5k races/walks are a widely successful way for many organizations to get out into the community and raise funds for charity, not just in the sports world, but in general. This event is also something new and different to offer our fans as another way to be involved in, and support, Glads Nation.”

“The name of the event, Circus Maximus, is derived from an ancient Roman chariot racing stadium located in Rome, Italy,” said Director of Community and Youth Hockey Relations, Clyde Patterson. “We thought the tie in with our beloved mascot Maximus made it a great fit for the name.”

Circus Maximus 5k Race/Walk will be held at the Infinite Energy Center complex, with the start and finish line at the Home of the Glads, the Infinite Energy Arena. The race will start at 8:30 am for all 5k race/walk competitors. The Gladiators will also offer an opportunity for children to get involved by participating in the Maximus Kids Fun Run. This shorter distance Fun Run, where the kids will run with Gladiators’ mascot, Maximus, will start at 8:00 am. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Atlanta Gladiators Foundation.

“We are pulling out all the stops to make this an incredible 5k experience,” said Patterson. “We are working with Runners Fit, a well-known 5k organizer in the region, to make sure this equals or tops any 5ks folks have been a part of before.”

“Not only is this for a great cause by raising money for the Atlanta Gladiators Foundation, but it’s another chance for members of the community to come together and have some fun,” said Henrichsen. “We encourage fans that may not be avid runners to participate as well. This is more about comradery and charity than getting the best time. The players and staff will be involved as well, so we can create more of a fun Gladiators-themed event rather than just a race.”

The race is sandwiched between two Gladiators home games on Friday, November 2nd and Sunday, November 3rd. All participants will receive a free ticket offer to either of those two games. Additionally, medals will be awarded to first, second and third place overall winners within the various age groups and gender categories.

“Whether you’re walking for the cause, running for the fastest time, or coming to meet some of the players, we are striving to make this the best event it can be for all involved,” said Henrichsen. “We hope this is something people will get behind, and that it continues as an annual event for years to come.”

CLICK HERE to sign up for the first ever Circus Maximus 5k Race/Walk!

The 16th season of Atlanta Gladiators hockey begins at the Infinite Energy Arena on Friday, October 19th against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits at 7:35 PM. For ticket information, visit the official team website at www.atlantagladiators.com or call the main office line at 770-497-5100.

The Gladiators are members of the ECHL, the nation’s premier "AA" hockey league. All home games are played at the 10,867-seat Infinite Energy Arena, located just off I-85 on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth – where parking is always free. The Gladiators have established an unrivaled commitment to excellence, maintaining a distinctive reputation for affordable and family-friendly sports entertainment and consistently ranked as one of the top “Things To Do” in the Atlanta area and across the North Georgia region.For all the latest team news, contests, and more visit AtlantaGladiators.com, or “like” the Gladiators on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AtlantaGladiators), follow the team on Twitter (www.twitter.com/ATLGladiators), Instagram (www.instagram.com/atlgladiators) or Snapchat (www.snapchat.com) at "gladshockey".

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