The Road Back:
How The Peachtree Road Race is Helping Turn Atlanta Into Running City, USA
On July 4 and for the first time since 2019, all 60,000 participants of the Atlanta Track Club’s historic Peachtree Road Race will run together. At just the start of spring, excitement for the traditions that make up the Peachtree — including the crowds and coveted finisher’s T-shirt — is already palpable in the city.
Stretching on a morning in mid-April, ready to train with the congregated GirlTrek Friends and Family running group, Sherry Boucarut, 70, felt the absence and looks forward to this year’s event. “I feel the camaraderie of people coming together from everywhere. I’ve seen those in wheelchairs, walkers. They’ve had the audacity, the pushing of family to come and do this,” she said as the other members nodded. “And I said I can get out there and do it then whether I’m walking, running, pulling my leg. But I’m going to do it!”
Laughter overtook the energized group, and a member called out, “She doesn’t walk the race; she runs the race!”
Atlanta Track Club’s decision to cancel back in 2020 wasn’t easy or automatic. When it became apparent that the traditional July 4 date was too soon in the pandemic, organizers considered Thanksgiving Day. Yet by the end of summer, not only was the world still in the grips of the pandemic, but the city of Atlanta would not likely have granted a permit for 60,000 for November. Other ideas on the table included a virtual-only event or renting a private property for the race.
“Everything we looked at was so far from what the Peachtree is and how people know the Peachtree, that it simply [wouldn’t have been] the Peachtree,” said Jay Holder, director of marketing at the Atlanta Track Club. “It [would’ve been] just an opportunity to come out and run a 10k. When you get so far from the identity of something, there’s just no point in doing it.”
The race did return in 2021 but saw the field split into two days, July 3 and 4, to limit congestion and crowding. A virtual option was also introduced.
But now it’s time to look to the future. The Peachtree Road Race is on as the single-day event that is its legend.
The Atlanta Track Club has dubbed Atlanta, Running City USA.
Holder heard from several people who ordered running shoes amid gym closures and took to running for physical and mental well-being during the pandemic.
Atlanta’s nickname is sticking, according to Holder. “As I’m driving,” he said into his phone, “I see somebody running down the street right now. The Peachtree is a culmination of that, but [running is] what we do 365 days here.”
It’s Atlanta Track Club’s mission to provide opportunities for everyone to run. Peachtree Junior, for ages 14 and under, takes place on July 3. The hope is that running at any age, but especially early, will be a gateway to other healthy lifestyle choices.
Another part of the mission is keeping Peachtree within reach from both cost and ability standpoints. The price of entry is set below the typical cost for a race of its caliber. Free programming is also made available by Atlanta Track Club.
On the matter of accessibility, the virtual option might just be here to stay.
“I still think the best way to experience the Peachtree is running down Peachtree Road with 60,000 of your friends on July 4 in the unbearably hot conditions of Atlanta,” Holder said.
But some can’t make it to Atlanta and want to participate from afar.
On the subject of the finisher’s T-shirt, the design has been selected and sent off to Adidas, but the world will have to wait. T-shirt design has run as a contest since 1995. The winning design and shirt color are carefully guarded secrets, making the finish line reveal that much more special for Peachtree finishers.
In the meantime, anticipation and determination grows.
“Let me just say this,” Boucarut said just before taking off with Friends and Family. “Don’t let anybody discourage you about what you can do.”
Registration for the Peachtree Road Race opens for two-weeks mid-March for a lottery-style drawing. Atlanta Track Club members are guaranteed entry. For information on the Atlanta Track Club, the Peachtree Road Race, and other Atlanta Track Club events for the year, visit atlantatrackclub.org. Also, check out season five of the Peachtree Podcast from Holder and co-host Jennifer Perry for all things Peachtree.
