Teams medal at Georgia Games

The newest youth running club in Augusta powered past the competition during the recent Georgia Games Road Race and track championships.

The Power Runners USA track club, which is based in Columbia County, was formed in May by former Olympian and local track coach Mike Burley.

"Several parents and I got together to see if we could spark some interest in distance running in Augusta," Burley said. "We had no problem signing up 15 members immediately - including six individual state champions from this past school year.

"I've tried to keep it fun, because distance running is tough and it can tend to get pretty monotonous. We have run in different locations every workout and also biked, canoed, swam and complete a high-ropes course just to keep it interesting."

Greg Alexander, one of the parents whose daughter, Abby, runs in the club, said, "The objective was to compete in the Georgia Games and prepare these runners for their (high School) cross country seasons that start in mid-August. We needed an organized way to link track and cross country seasons."

All Power Runners who competed in the Georgia Games earned at least one medal. The gold medal winners were: David Bell; Sarah Madebach; Megan Craig; Margaret Mobley; Rebekah Madebach; Alex Crean; Annie Kim; and, Abby Alexander.

Also earning medals were Peyton Bell, Watson Folk, Susanna O'Kula and David Levine.