On a recent day in May, Senator Raphael Warnock was spotted on the Eastside Beltline Trail in Atlanta, demonstrating his passion for running and his connection to the community.
Dressed in last year’s Peachtree Road Race shirt and a pair of white On Cloudrunners, Warnock was encouraging nonchalantly while keeping a watchful eye on his surroundings.
As a bike zipped past him, he reminded me to ‘pay attention out here.’ His presence on the trail drew recognition from fellow joggers and families, many of whom paused to take a moment to acknowledge him.
‘Hey, Senator!’ a mother called out with her children, to which he responded warmly, ‘How are you all doing today?’
This embrace of public interaction is something Warnock has championed throughout his running journey, which he attributes to an unexpected turn in his life.
‘See, I was typecast by my family as bookish,’ he shared with a smile, recalling his early days where sports weren’t his forte, unlike his brothers who played football.
It wasn’t until he became a preacher at the age of 28 that he discovered the gym and began incorporating fitness into his routine. Over the years, he maintained a consistent workout schedule, leading him to fall in love with cycling and, more recently, running.
‘It’s about taking the tightness from your mind and muscles and turning that into energy to keep you going,’ he explained, further underscoring his philosophy towards fitness.
Curious about his preferences while running, I wondered if he listened to music for motivation.
‘I knew you were going to ask me that,’ he chuckled, admitting he enjoys tracks from OutKast and Ludacris despite finding some a bit too edgy.
As we continued our run along the Beltline, we turned toward Krog Street Tunnel before circling back. On our way back, Warnock stretched briefly, emphasizing the importance of physical preparation.
The senator often reminisces about his initial foray into the Peachtree Road Race, where he had previously jested with parishioners about participating.
That fateful day arrived in 2021, when he found himself at the start line, ready to run alongside his constituents.
‘They put me near the front right after the Ethiopians,’ he recalled, noting that although he intended to run a mile and then walk a mile, the adrenaline made him rethink his plan.
Having just won a Senate race, he wasn’t ready to be outpaced by strangers, and to his surprise, he finished the race in 1 hour and 14 minutes.
His bodyguards took a couple of miles to catch up with him, during which he made it a point to interact with spectators, even greeting his friend Reverend Sam Candler along the route.
Fast forward to today, Warnock continues to run the Peachtree Road Race annually, competing with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, who joined the race for the first time in 2022.
Each year, Warnock sets personal goals, showcasing his determination to better his time. During last year’s race, where I first saw him tackling the infamous Cardiac Hill, he achieved a personal best, shaving six minutes off his previous time.
‘That’s the hardest part of the race, but I love it,’ he expressed, describing the exhilarating feeling of conquering the hill.
‘Now, you can coast on your momentum all the way down Peachtree.’
The journey of Senator Warnock through running isn’t just about physical fitness; it’s a testament to his commitment to engaging with community and finding personal growth through challenges.
His running story encapsulates more than a pursuit of betterment; it’s about connection, resilience, and proving that anyone can push through their limits, no matter where they start.
image source from：atlantamagazine
