Highlighting Atlanta’s Peachtree Road Race

Runners from all over the world come to Atlanta to run in the Peachtree Road Race each July 4.  The 10K race, sponsored by the Atlanta Track Club, has been an Independence Day tradition in Atlanta since 1970.  Participation has dramatically increased over the years, and today 60,000 runners will compete.  The Peachtree Road Race is the largest 10K race in the world.

The race begins in the Buckhead area near Lennox Mall.  The 6.2 mile course runs south along Peachtree Street to 10th Street in midtown.  The finish line is just outside Piedmont Park, where finishers will be able to pick up their coveted Peachtree Road Race T-shirt.  The runners will begin the race in waves, starting with the women’s and men’s professional divisions.  Starting wave assignments are based on past performance times, and participants are asked at registration to submit a finish time from another USATF certified race within the last two years.  Certified race times may be from 5K, 10K, 8K, 15K, 10M or 13.1M events.  Runners not submitting finish times are placed at random in one of the last waves.  An elite group of runners from the US and other countries may be extended invitations to participate in the Peachtree Road Race.  Other race participants are chosen through an online lottery process.

An army of volunteers help things run smoothly on race day.  More than 3,000 volunteers are needed each year.  At least 150,000 spectators are expected to line Peachtree Road and 10th Street on race day.  Spectators are advised to arrive early to stake out their spots for a good view of the course.  Many businesses along the race route host special race day festivities.  Spectators, volunteers, and runners are all urged to take MARTA transportation into Buckhead or midtown to avoid traffic delays.  There are always some road closures in the area surrounding the course.

The 2013 Peachtree Road Race festivities will kick off with the Peachtree Health and Fitness Expo on July 2-3.  Participants can attend a variety of seminars on running, training, health, and nutrition scheduled throughout the event.  More than 100 vendors in the health and fitness industry will showcase running gear, apparel, and nutritional products for sale.  The Expo will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta.  The public is invited, and admission is free.  Expo hours are 11am-8pm on July 2 and 10am-7pm on July 3.  Race participants or their representatives may elect to pick up their race number at the Expo.