Peachtree Road Race to be held Virtually on Thanksgiving Day

For the first time in its 51-year history, the AJC Peachtree Road Race is being held as a virtual event on Thanksgiving Day.

The Atlanta Track Club, which organizes the Peachtree, had previously postponed the event from July 4 to Thanksgiving Day.

However, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the Club concluded that a virtual race was the safest option for participants, volunteers, staff, and the hundreds of city and state employees, many of whom are first responders, who come together to help deliver the event to Atlanta each year.

Participants can complete the 10K between the hours of 12:01 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. tomorrow.

Rich Kenah, Executive Director of Atlanta Track Club and Race Director of the AJC Peachtree Road Race said in a press release that as the coronavirus has spiked in recent weeks here in Georgia, the Club recognizes that this decision is the best and only responsible way forward.

Dr. Jonathan Kim, the Peachtree’s Co-Medical Director added that because of the crowds that typically participate in the Peachtree it’s not possible to reliably maintain social distancing when running a race even if you limit the number of participants well below the usual 60,000.

Participants who have registered had their race kit, including race numbers and finisher’s shirts, delivered to them by race partner UPS before Thanksgiving Day.

The Club also released an app this fall where participants can track their time, upload GPS-driven results and measure their performances against other participants, listen to the sounds of the Peachtree and share their race on social media.

All participants received access to a complimentary 10-week Peachtree training plan.

Those who had already registered for the Peachtree for the 4th of July were automatically placed into the virtual event.

And Peachtree Junior, which was also rescheduled for November 26 will also be held virtually.

The Atlanta Track Club is also sponsoring a Start/Finish Line Contest. Peachtree Start/Finish Contest video

To be part of the contest, share your start/finish line – whether it be made of chalk, paint, balloons, or anything else you can think of – with Atlanta Track Club on social media using hashtags #AJCPRR #PRRStartFinish. ?

Entries will be accepted on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and through email at [email protected] from November 23 – 29.

Monday, November 30, the Top 10 entries will be placed on Facebook for a vote.

Winners will be announced Wednesday, December 2 with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd highest votes receiving $500, $250, and $100 gift cards to Home Depot.