The AJC Peachtree Road Race gets back to tradition

June 9th, 2022

Runners cross the finish line as they participate during the Peachtree Road Race in 2004.

Gregory Smith / Associated Press file

The organizers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race say this year the storied 10K run returns to its beloved traditions.

The race was canceled in 2020 and moved to a two-day format with a virtual option last year, but this year as many as 50,000 runners are expected to participate in person.

Race director and Atlanta Track Club CEO Rich Kenah joined Morning Edition to talk about what changes there are this year and what’s new.

Kenah said he is “excited and appreciative of the city of Atlanta for helping us bring this tradition back to the community in its fifty-third run.”

Atlanta Track Club CEO and Peachtree Road Race Director Richard “Rich” Kenah (Photo Credit: Joaquin Lara)

This year there will still be a virtual option available and organizers say as many as 5,000 runners will participate from around the world that way.

Entrants were also given a longer period in which to register this year because Kenah says people are not planning as far ahead due to the uncertainty spurred by COVID-19.

But this year’s Peachtree will again be a one-day event on July 4th, with a flyover, entertainment along the route, and the much-coveted finisher’s shirt.

Last year, the in-person portion of the event was spread over two days and the shirt design and color had to be revealed ahead of time, spoiling the surprise for some.