AJC Peachtree Road Race
Atlanta, GA
- 10K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The AJC Peachtree Road Race, organized by Atlanta Track Club, is the largest 10K in the world. The 6.2 miles of the AJC Peachtree Road Race takes participants from the streets of Buckhead to the corners of Midtown, finishing in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park. The AJC Peachtree Road Race has become … MORE
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
Way Too Crowded
This was my first time participating. I submitted my time and was seeded in Corral U, which i thought a little too far back. It was VERY hot this year … MORE
This was my first time participating. I submitted my time and was seeded in Corral U, which i thought a little too far back. It was VERY hot this year and for a start time of 8:30, it was WAY too late. After about a mile into the race, I immediately regretted my decision to to run. I mean, I didn’t set out to PR, but wanted to do my best. The course was too crowded, so much to the point that it was almost impossible to run. I was constantly weaving back and forth as well as having to come to a full stop to avoid what appeared to be a LOT of walkers. I know it was super hot, and some walking was to be expected, but these were people who intended to walk the majority of the race. Later I found out the ATC members have the option to get an earlier start time. Sounds like a money grab to me. This is NOT a good idea as it creates a gridlock for the runners in later corrals actually trying to run. At one point, two small children darted out in front of me and I almost fell as I was running at full speed. The stretch to the finish was the absolute worst, just impossible to run at all with the amount of people on the course. Overall, I thought that this race was very expensive and not worth it due to the diminished race experience. I will not be running this one again and am strongly reconsidering running any ATC races at this point.
Those Atlanta Hills Beware
This race is huge! The crowd support was amazing. The race is hilly especially heart attack hill! The afterparty was very crowded the building to get your beer was too … MORE
This race is huge! The crowd support was amazing. The race is hilly especially heart attack hill! The afterparty was very crowded the building to get your beer was too small. Watch where you park for this race or you will get car boot.
This race was just okay
Overall the race was okay and I can say I would not do it again. The Expo did not have a lot of vendors for a race of this size. … MORE
Overall the race was okay and I can say I would not do it again. The Expo did not have a lot of vendors for a race of this size. You had to pay extra for a medal. The shirts were nice except for the color. There was plenty of crowd support and water (just water) on the course. Once you cross the finish line you head down to get your shirt & more water. They did not have any fruit, electrolytes, Gatorade, snacks no nourishment. The hotel I stayed out had more nourishment for the racers than the actual race. The only thing they had were boxes of fig prebiotic which was very weird. Then we headed to the bar where we were told they were out of free beer but had plenty of beer/drinks available we could pay for. That little bar was so packed it had to be a fire violation. Yes we finished way before they stopped the race due to weather.
Here is a highlight video
https://youtu.be/azl_-lnpz58
Oh yeah, Where to park was not clearly stated by the race administration so I ended up with a boot on my car.
Super crowded, decent race
This was my 2nd time doing the Peachtree. It was sooo crowded it wasn't enjoyable. I can normally do a 10K in around 52 minutes, less if I'm really feeling … MORE
This was my 2nd time doing the Peachtree. It was sooo crowded it wasn’t enjoyable. I can normally do a 10K in around 52 minutes, less if I’m really feeling it. It was so hard to get pace and rhythm with the crowd that this took me 56 and that was with me near sprinting near the end. That said, the race is organized really well and there’s TONS of on-track crowd support. I’d recommend it for the experience, but not for the semi-competitive runner trying for time.
Virtual Race in 2020
This was postponed from July 4th to November 26th then turned into a virtual event. Ran in my hometown... Was what it was - next year hoping to be there … MORE
This was postponed from July 4th to November 26th then turned into a virtual event. Ran in my hometown… Was what it was – next year hoping to be there in Atlanta July 4th!!!
HOT HOT HOT, but FUN FUN FUN
I'd recommend all runners experience this really cool and historical event. While it's HUGE (60k runners in total!), the race org does a great job of orchestrating the mass of … MORE
I’d recommend all runners experience this really cool and historical event. While it’s HUGE (60k runners in total!), the race org does a great job of orchestrating the mass of people. There were plenty of water stops and ways to stay cool on a 90+ degree 4th of July. The race swag was lacking (no medal, no dri-fit shirt, no cool giveaways at the Expo), but the experience made up for it. The race was easy to access for me because my friends and I stayed in an Airbnb less than a mile from the start line, but I could see it being tough to navigate around for people traveling via Uber or public transit. The Expo was underwhelming for such a big event, but it had everything you need.
Don’t expect a PR…this will be a hot and humid race with a small hill around mile 3-4. It’ll be worth it, though, to run with so much crowd support in a cool and interesting city! Also recommended: Hit up Varsity for post-race food!
Flat course, well organized.
Course is relatively flat. Can get PR if starting in the appropriate start wave. Very well-organized considering the number of runners. Can be hot, but this year overcast conditions reduced … MORE
Course is relatively flat. Can get PR if starting in the appropriate start wave. Very well-organized considering the number of runners. Can be hot, but this year overcast conditions reduced the heat for the early waves. T-shirt is cotton blend, not a tech shirt.
I love the Peachtree, period!
This is one of those races that is just a must do for me. I began running it in 2011 and have done it every year since. I love the … MORE
This is one of those races that is just a must do for me. I began running it in 2011 and have done it every year since. I love the excitement around the race and to me it is that one must do Atlanta race.
World's Largest 10K Party
This is an event, not a race...it's a great Atlanta and American tradition. You're never going to run a Personal Best on July 4 in Atlanta, so soak in the … MORE
This is an event, not a race…it’s a great Atlanta and American tradition. You’re never going to run a Personal Best on July 4 in Atlanta, so soak in the heat, humidity, hills, and fun atmosphere!
2018 was my 27th straight Peachtree. Thankfully, not a lot has changed through the decades other than the starting process. Currently, there are 22 start waves that begin over the course of almost two hours. This allows the large field to arrive and start in small increments. The staging area at the start is not nearly as crowded as it used to be, and the course is rarely as crowded in person as it appears from overhead photos.
If you do want to run fast, submit a qualifying time at registration to ensure a placement in Wave A, or as close to the front as you can get. In 2018, the Wave A standard was 45:47 and a sub-60 minute 10K or equivalent was good enough to place you in Wave E, starting a full hour ahead of those who did not submit a time whatsoever (Waves R-Y). Any submitted time will be placed ahead of those who do not submit a time at all, so you risk getting stuck behind all the walkers who submitted times and thus were put in the middle waves.
The wheelchair racers and the elite women have separate early starts. The elite men go off with Wave A at 7:00am. The final wave doesn’t start until 9:20am. The temperature difference is usually substantial, so take care to hydrate throughout, and enjoy the fun run.
Course description: The first half of the course is downhill and fast, followed by the legendary “cardiac hill” in mile 4, which is rather steep but relatively short. A highly underrated and overlooked incline lasts most of mile 5, before a level/downhill final mile kick on 10th Street takes you home to the meadow in Piedmont Park. Ice cold towels are a hit at the finish. There are fresh peaches, but in general post race food options are rather slim. Coca-Cola/Powerade products are available on 10th Street. There’s not a huge post-race crowd despite the race’s size. They stopped having a live band at the finish stage a few years ago, and now most people leave quickly, which is a shame because the awards ceremony is always a who’s who of American 10K talent.
Bottom line: I’ve raced from Wave A and walked with friends / family from the back. There’s no wrong way to do it. You’ll experience Atlanta’s heat, hills, and humidity, and Atlanta Track Club’s world-class race production. And yes, you’ll get that coveted Peachtree T-shirt.
A Hot One!
I missed the lottery cutoff, so I signed up through the charity, which allowed me to be placed in E Coral. Everything about this race, the expo, and the course … MORE
I missed the lottery cutoff, so I signed up through the charity, which allowed me to be placed in E Coral. Everything about this race, the expo, and the course (including the many hills) was nice. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I would definitely recommend this race!
Festive Big Crowds
This is a great event if you like a really big race with big enthusiastic crowds. The transportation can be hectic so plan ahead and plan for a somewhat cumbersome … MORE
This is a great event if you like a really big race with big enthusiastic crowds. The transportation can be hectic so plan ahead and plan for a somewhat cumbersome finish line. There’s also MANY starting groups, A-Z, I think, so getting started can take a really long time. It’s an Atlanta tradition and fun to be part of the culture of this race.
Racing with 60k of your closest friends
Very well organized, fun race. One of the best organized races I have seen. If you read reviews online you will find people saying this a difficult course. I believe … MORE
Very well organized, fun race. One of the best organized races I have seen. If you read reviews online you will find people saying this a difficult course. I believe it is not a flat, fast course but it rolling hills with plenty of slow gradual hills and downhill that balance each other out. You have fantastic crowd support the entire way!
Georgia heat & humidity
Low cost race. Very well organized. Decent T-shirt, but not a technical shirt. Average food hand-outs at end. I have run the race the previous 3 years. This was the … MORE
Low cost race. Very well organized. Decent T-shirt, but not a technical shirt. Average food hand-outs at end. I have run the race the previous 3 years. This was the first time that the weather affected me.
Fun but too big!
It's a fun event since there are > 60,000 runners, BUT the start is a bear. My start wave's start time was 9:00 but the race starts at 7:30, and … MORE
It’s a fun event since there are > 60,000 runners, BUT the start is a bear. My start wave’s start time was 9:00 but the race starts at 7:30, and they want everyone there early.
Well run race
Good way to spend the morning of the 4th of July. Very well run race. The race has 60,000 runners, but there are over 20 waves. So, it is easy … MORE
Good way to spend the morning of the 4th of July. Very well run race. The race has 60,000 runners, but there are over 20 waves. So, it is easy to run at your own pace if you get into the right wave.
Nice race through Atlanta
This race is very well organized. It is a nice course through Atlanta. It was raining this year so there were not as many people along the course to cheer … MORE
This race is very well organized. It is a nice course through Atlanta. It was raining this year so there were not as many people along the course to cheer us on. They start in waves, so if you get in the correct wave, you do not need to dodge the other 60000 runners.
Fun race in Atlanta
Since I had only recently restarted my running program, I did not have a race time to submit during the registration. Therefore, I was put in the second-to-last wave (~2-hour … MORE
Since I had only recently restarted my running program, I did not have a race time to submit during the registration. Therefore, I was put in the second-to-last wave (~2-hour runners). Even though I started at the very front of the wave, I was zig-zagging the whole course trying to get past the walkers and slower runners.