The Guadalupan Torch Run is to race through Georgia later this month, as runners carry the torch from the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City to New York’s St. Patrick Cathedral.

The runners will travel through 11 counties and 21 communities during a nearly 250-mile trip through the Atlanta Archdiocese from Nov. 22-25.

The support shown to the runners by Catholics in the Atlanta Archdiocese is some of the best encouragement throughout the race, according to organizers.

The torch run ties in with the archdiocesan-wide celebrations to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe. The celebration also renews the consecration of the Archdiocese of Atlanta to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and will include education on Mary and community prayer.

The 2007 theme for the torch run is “Race for the Dignity of the People United by their Faith”, which focuses the initiative’s call for social justice. The torch is also to be a sign of unity, crossing cultural and language barriers of Catholics, according to organizers.

Three parishes are hosting the celebration in the north of the archdiocese.

On Thursday, Nov. 22, at 9 a.m., the rally starts at the Alabama-Georgia border community of Tallapoosa and continues to St. Joseph Church in Dalton. It is expected to arrive at 7 p.m.

On Friday, the running starts at 7 a.m. from St. Joseph’s to St. Michael Church in Gainesville. This leg is expected to end at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, the race starts at St. Michael’s at 1 p.m. and ends at St. Mark Church in Clarkesville, at 7 p.m.

The last day, Sunday, runners hit the road at 7 a.m. from St. Mark’s and end at the border of Georgia and South Carolina, some four hours later.

Overall, the torch will travel in Georgia nearly 254 miles in 32 hours.

The relay ends in New York when the torch arrives on Dec. 12, during the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe.