“I remember thinking that there are some big hills up here. You don’t really see that kind of hills in Tifton.”

Lang’s personal best in Atlanta is 42:50 and “that isn’t great, but is fast to me” according to the runner.

Lang has been running locally with the Sunbelt Running Club since the late 1980s and the club helps the high school cross country team financially with proceeds from the “Run for Love” in August.

“We raise about four to five thousand dollars for the team every year, and that money helps send the runners to cross country camps during the summer.”

Currently, the group has around 20-25 members.

Lang ran last weekend in Patterson, and after the race in Atlanta today, he will run in three weeks at Lake Blackshear.

“I try to limit my schedule in the summer because it is so hot,” Lang said.

Lang says he has an extensive collection of shirts from races over the year.

“My wife made me put them in boxes and put them in the garage,” Lang said with a laugh.

Thirty years of running excellence.