The Spirit of Sisterhood: Savannah's Historic Every Woman's Marathon
What a remarkable sight unfolded in our beloved downtown Savannah as the sun began to rise this Saturday morning. From the hushed streets at daybreak to the energetic atmosphere that built block by block toward City Hall, our historic district transformed into a celebration of women's strength and community.
The inaugural Every Woman's Marathon, sponsored by MilkPEP and Visit Savannah, brought an incredible display of determination and unity to our streets. At 7 a.m., thousands of runners gathered along Bay Street, starting in waves beneath the echoing voice of the race announcer. This groundbreaking event, the first of its kind "for women, by women," drew participants from all 50 states and 12 different countries – a testament to Savannah's drawing power as a destination city.
The 26.2-mile course showcased the diverse tapestry of our city, winding through 15 distinct neighborhoods from Bay Street to West Savannah, past Savannah State and through our historic downtown. Along the route, supporters with creative signs and enthusiastic cheers created an atmosphere of joy and encouragement that epitomizes our Southern hospitality.
The marathon brought touching moments of human connection, like the scene at Pulaski Square where one spectator, Reka Barna, shared an embrace with her runner friend at mile five. As Barna, visiting from Jersey City, noted, "The city is gorgeous. It's my first time here, and I love it."
Perhaps most moving was the story of best friends Kari Brown and Jennifer Raines, who flew in from Maryland and West Virginia to achieve their shared goal. After training together since the start of the year, they crossed the finish line hand-in-hand – a perfect embodiment of the spirit of this event. As Brown shared, "The people were amazing; the signs were hilarious."
As a local realtor, I'm proud to see our city host events that showcase not only our stunning architecture and oak-lined streets but also our vibrant community spirit. Whether you're considering making Savannah your permanent home or just falling in love with our city for the first time, the Every Woman's Marathon demonstrated the welcoming, active lifestyle our community embraces.
Interested in learning more about homes in any of the 15 neighborhoods along the marathon route? I'd love to show you what makes each area special and help you find your perfect place in our historic city.
Link to Savannah Neighborhoods & Home Search
A special thank you to Visit Savannah President and CEO Joseph Marinelli and all who made this historic event possible!
