MACON, Ga. — The annual Labor Day Road Race is making it's return to Macon on Monday.
The holiday tradition will welcome racers from across the state, and will have at least 1600 runners that are registered so far. FM Barron, the president of the Macon Tracks Running Club, said they are anticipating at least 200 more.
For one returning runner, he said this year's race is his way of celebrating an extra special milestone.
When Larry Davis crosses the finish line in Monday's race, it will mark the end of an era for the experienced runner, who spent nearly three decades lacing up his running shoes.
"When I was about 50 years old, I guess I started running basically for my health," Davis said. "I started off doing it to lose weight and stay healthy. It's provided for me all these years."
Davis worked in the milk and ice cream business for 45 years. He says he put off retirement to then become a truck driver.
"He's in good shape for an 80-year-old man," his wife Patsy said. "He doesn't know the word slow. In fact, he's told the whole family he's not waiting for them in the race."
After three years of handing out water to runners with his church group, Davis will be back on the course with thousands of other runners and for a special reason: he turns 80 on Tuesday.
"I told my pastor, I said 'I'm gonna be an hour late this year. I'm gonna be running in it,'" Davis said.
Patsy plans to cheer him on from the sidelines, but this one last hurrah is a family affair.
Four generations of the Davis clan will be participating to kick off birthday celebrations.
"If I make it to 90, I won't be running at 90, but I'll look back and say I could remember my 80th, and all of us were together," Davis said. "As long as I can do it, I'm gonna keep exercising anyway. I won't be running any more Labor Day Road Races, though."
The 5K race starts at the intersection of Vineville Ave. and Pio Nono Ave. at 7:30 a.m. The 10K starts in front of Runfit Sports on Forsyth Road at 8 a.m.