Rand Wise

Hometown: Decatur, GA

Races Completed: Two marathons, 17 half marathons

Favorite Memory: One of the early years I ran a slower pace to run alongside and support my friend Kelly who was running her first marathon. One of the things I love about this race is the loud and energetic support of the people lining the course. So the really memorable bit is that as we were turning from Moreland onto the stretch of road towards the Carter Center, we passed a gentleman who uttered, barely audibly, but both of us heard him clearly and it was like all other sound was muted while he spoke, as though the voice of God was whispering down to us from the clouds, words of encouragement: "That's it, nice and easy. You can do this." ~ The Race Whisperer. To this day, we periodically invoke that shared memory. (Rand and Kelly's finish is pictured here.)

Obstacles Through the Years: I have run through some minor injuries (hairline foot fractures, minor muscle pulls) and one year I wasn't dressed adequately for the cold and windy rain. The hardest was the year when it was unseasonably warm (it was the second year if I remember correctly) and the rest stops ran out of water and sports drinks. It probably wasn't the smartest thing, but I remember accepting a beer from a group of spectators on my way into Piedmont Park. I remember getting a second wind from it for a while before feeling even more dehydrated a couple of miles later.

On Streaker Gifts: Probably my favorite thing is just that we are honored with these gifts. If I had to pick one favorite, I'd say the arm warmers (I think from 2016). They look great, and have started some nice conversations at race start lines.