The Peachtree is a fun race for runners of all abilities, particularly because of the large crowd that lines the street the entire way. Construction brings changes to Buckhead and Midtown every year, so it’s nice to get the extended street level view. It’s certainly not a run through the woods, but running through a major city without having to deal with traffic is also fun.
It’s not hard for any semi-competitive runner to start not far behind elite runners. Though the race start is crowded, the pack spreads out quickly, and there’s plenty of room to run as fast you want. Runners in Time Group One receive chips to wear, to accurately time each runner. These times are published in the Atlanta paper. The course is challenging, with the third mile almost entirely uphill. The Atlanta Track Club honors the first thousand finishers with a small prize.
Non-competitive runners can also have a good time, but the massive crowd makes the entire experience less enjoyable. MARTA is packed before and after. I always park near the finish and take the train to the start. Last year I figured out it’s possible to watch the finish of the Wheelchair Race, walk the half mile to the station, ride the train to Lenox, and arrive at the start before the last Time Groups start the race. One year I may try it!
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