Keeping America (and beyond) running for 50 years

By Susan Baldani

The AJC Peachtree Road Race is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. This annual 10-kilometer run is held on the 4th of July in the heart of Atlanta and is always a big draw for runners worldwide.

“With it being our 50th year, we saw a record interest,” says Jay Holder, Director of Marketing and Communications of the Atlanta Track Club. The club, which opened in 1964, has organized the race since day one.

Limited to 60,000 participants, the Peachtree Road Race has participants from all walks of life and abilities. According to Donna Nail, a 56-year-old wife and mother, “It doesn’t matter if you run fast, slow, walk, run, or crawl, it’s all about the t-shirt and the satisfaction of finishing the largest 10K in the world. I encourage others to run/walk the race so they can understand that we come in all shapes and sizes, but we can all make it to the finish with some training, a good pair of shoes and some encouragement!”

Speaking of a good pair of shoes, Mike Cosentino, owner of Big Peach Running Company who has run over 12 Peachtree races himself, explains why people should get expert advice when it comes to finding the right shoe.

“Different running shoes are designed for different foot types. It depends on your arch profile, how broad your feet are, where you apply pressure, and the different length of stride.” He and his employees, most of whom are runners, assist their customers with finding the right shoe for their particular objectives.

“You’re not going to get that kind of advice or tailored fit by shopping online or just walking into a general sporting goods store,” says Mike.

Hunter Vaughan, the manager of New Balance at Toco Hills, couldn’t agree more. “There’s really no way to know how a shoe will fit your specific foot when you look at it online. Your feet are the foundation of all of your movements and there’s no time that this is more important than when running longer distances,” says Hunter. “Also, most people have a tendency to wear their shoes too tight.

If shoes are too tight, it can cause major problems. Every shoe model fits differently. That’s why it’s important to come by our store so we can, at a minimum, make sure you are in the correct footwear and have enough room in your shoes. From this, you are better equipped for your run and you’ll be more comfortable at the end of the day.”

The right apparel is also critical. Mike stresses that everything from your socks to your shirts have to be tailored towards the conditions. For example, you’ll want to wear moisture wicking apparel to keep you dry and cool. Also, look for items that have UV protection to protect you from the sun’s rays.

Besides the runners, close to 200,00 spectators will be watching and cheering from the sidelines. This year, there will also be entertainment. At each mile, there will be DJ’s and bands playing music from each decade. Mile 1 will have tunes from the 70s, mile 2 will showcase the 80s, mile 3 the 90s and so on.

Many of the runners come back year after year. Although you have to be at least 10 years old to take part, there is no upper age limit. According to Jay, the oldest participants right now are a 94-year-old man and a 94-year-old woman who run the race year after year.

Randy Stroud, 64, from Acworth, Ga., is running his 47th consecutive race. “I started running back in 1968, so I’ve always been a runner. I train year-round, so Peachtree is a race that I always look forward to and prepare for,” says Randy.

There is also a wheelchair race held beforehand. Since 1984, the Atlanta Running Club has partnered with the Shephard Center in Atlanta, one of the most well-know rehabilitation centers in the world. This is strictly an elite race with professional racers and is one of the most prestigious wheelchair races in the world.

To honor the country’s veterans and military who will be participating, Jay says they are issued a commemorative race number design so people will know who they are. He encourages everyone who sees them to shake their hands and thank them for their service.

Another way they are celebrating their 50th anniversary is by awarding $50,000 to anyone breaking the record in their division. The record, held since 1996 in the men’s division, is 27:04; for women, held since 2002, is 30:32.

For the wheelchair contestants, the men’s record since 2004 is 18:38 and for the women, since 2009, is 22:09. If one of the wheelchair racers breaks the record, it will be the highest payday ever for a wheelchair athlete in any race around the world, says Jay.

Custom-made Frabel glass peaches will be awarded to the top three competitors, a tradition dating back to early 80s. The winner will also receives $10,000.

Ty Ragan, from Brentwood, Ga., has run seven races and will be running again this year. “Initially, I signed up back in 1998 as a celebration for losing weight and getting into a healthier lifestyle. I was about 80 pounds overweight and when I first started running, I couldn’t complete a quarter mile. But by 1998, I was able to run more consistently and felt the iconic AJC Peachtree Road Race was the best way to celebrate achieving my goal,” he says.

When asked how he prepares for it, he explains that he “started running around mid-day to get the heat and humidity in order to make sure I knew what to expect once the hot July 4th weather arrived!”

The course itself closes at 11:30, but the fun doesn’t end there. There is a party at Piedmont Park where every finisher will receive a Peachtree Road Race t-shirt.

There are also events leading up to the race. For the last 30 years, the Anthem Peachtree Junior, held now on July 3rd, has given kids a chance to cross the iconic finish line. There’s a one mile and a dash which are open to those aged 14 and under. In addition, the Peachtree Health and Fitness Expo takes place on July 2nd and 3rd.

The Atlanta Track Club is a not-for-profit based in Atlanta and their mission is creating a healthier, more active Atlanta through running and walking.

“We are committed to making running and walking an accessible sport for people of all ages and abilities, not just through the more than 30 events programs we put on every year, but also by community engagement and being a running and walking resource for schools, groups and communities across the area,” says Jay.

The registration for the race runs from March 15th to March 31st each year and goes through a lottery, which is a random draw. However, members of the track club are guaranteed entry to the race.

To learn more about the history, people and traditions of the race, go online at Peachtree50.com and sign up to receive their emails. Hosted by the Atlanta Track Club, they’re posting 50 stories in 50 week.

Written for Midtown Lifestyle magazine in Atlanta, Georgia
http://www.midtownlifestylepubs.com/