ATLANTA -- The 2013 "Georgia Rides to the Capitol" event will be held through the city on Tuesday, March 26.

A spokeswoman for the ride said more than 1,000 cyclists are expected to participate, as part of the Metro Atlanta Mayors Association "GEORGIA BIKES!" program. The bike ride will be escorted by police, and run track through Decatur and Roswell. Leading the pack will be Commissioner Fred Boykin and Mayor Jere Wood, along with more city officials. 

During the "Georgia Rides to the Capitol" event, cyclists hope to raise support for other types of transportation through the metro region. Plus, they hope conditions will improve to allow easier cycling, including the development of regional systems and both on-road bicycling facilities and multi-use trails. 

ATLANTA -- Sunday's Publix Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon was an enormous success, with more than 16,000 racers running up and down the streets of Atlanta.

A local resident won first place in the marathon. Malcolm Campbell of Marietta earned a time of 2:26:11. He improved upon his time of 2:31:26 in the Atlanta Marathon last October, where he finished second.

"It was a tremendously challenging course," Campbell said after Sunday's race. "The weather was a huge help for the runners today."

Jill Horst of Rome won her second consecutive Publix Georgia Marathon women's first place with a time of 2:54:24.

Atlanta resident Andrew Heath placed first in the half marathon with a time of 1:09:55. Justyna Mudy of Rome won the women's half marathon at 1:18:50.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga -- The OTAs are winding down at the Atlanta Falcons' headquarters in Flowery Branch.  The voluntary off season workouts have been well attended and the participation looks to be paying off.

With new Offensive and Defensive Coordinators, the team has spent the past few weeks digesting changes that are being put in place for the 2012 season.  Wide receiver Harry Douglas is glad the changes are taking place this year rather than last summer, when the NFL teams were locked out.  Douglas has spent time working special teams as a punt returner during OTAs and says "I did it some during my roookie season and fell in love with it."  It will be something to watch for during training camp.

Meanwhile, Head Coach Mike Smith was pleased with the level of participation and what the team has accomplished during the OTAs and says the upcoming Minicamp will be a continuation of what has been taking place the past few weeks.