Sunday, Sept. 28th, 2003 marked the 22nd anniversary of the Athens-to-Atlanta road skate. The A2A is the granddaddy of all road skates and the longest running point-to-point inline event in the world. Top finishers of the A2A have even been known to boast their wins on their professional resumes.

The weekend was full of fun activities including the Sheriffs' Motorcycle Reserve escorting the Friday Night Skate through Atlanta and previewing the end of the 87 and 52 mile events. Athens, GA, known for its university life and rock bands, hosted the A2A Expo, where sponsors and exhibitors promoted and skaters registered and learned about GIRSA, the Georgia International Road Skating Association, A2A's new organizer. Henry Zuver, was presented an award for 22 years of outstanding leadership with A2A.

For Sunday morning, skaters chose to skate 87 miles, 38 miles or the 1st annual 52.4 mile (double marathon distance). The 38 and 87 mile distance skaters started in Athens, GA, skating country roads past horse farms and families driving to Sunday services. At the 21 mile marker were greeted with a long section of road completely torn up. Although skaters were informed of the road and 3-foot high concrete blockade barrier at the mandatory skaters' meeting, noone was prepared for the memorable experience of skating a steeplechase event inside of 38 or 87 miles! Smiles and laughing were rampant even within the lead groups as skaters felt and looked like kids running and jumping, hurdling over the barrier, realizing just how much fun a true road skate, the A2A, can be. Grass roots, if you will.

The 38 mile distance ended in Dacula, GA and the 52 mile event began at 10a.m. in a few miles away. The 52 mile skaters quickly formed pace lines and filtered into the A2A 87 mile course. It was great to see the fresh energy on the course where most 87 milers are beginning to hurt.

1999's top finisher, Rodney Grabinski of Leesburg, VA was the first man and Stacey Eldridge of Jacksonville, FL was the first woman to cross the 38 mile finish line.

It was a photo finish for the 1st annual 52 mile event as the 2002 38-mile course record holder and top finisher, 16-year old Jono Gorman of Roswell, GA, edged out by a wheel, 3-time 38-mile top finisher, Nikko Ramkissoon of New York City. Lillian Mitchell of Lawrenceville, GA skated away from the other ladies, finishing 13 minutes in the lead.

In the 87 mile event, it was 6-time, now 7-time top finisher, Eddy Matzger of Berkeley, CA, who was all alone, arriving in Atlanta's Piedmont Park nearly 8 minutes ahead of his nearest competitor. Kim Perkins also from Berkeley, CA, defended her 87-mile title by coasting into the Atlanta finish line 11 minutes in the lead.

Next year's A2A is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 24, 2003. The A2A staff expects a large of skaters registering for the 52.4 mile distance due to the time of the year, the start time of 10a.m. and this distance being common in Europe.

News is spreading quickly about the Triple Crown and its purse for a single male and female top pro finisher of these 3 events: New York 100K, Duluth 26.2 and the 87 mile Athens-to-Atlanta. The A2A also is considering a Double Triple Team Challenge for all A2A distances of 38, 52 and 87 miles.