peachtree road race

Race Details Location: Atlanta,Georgia First run: July 4, 1970 Distance: 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) Registration: 55,000 (in 2007)

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race 10K, or more commonly called the Peachtree Road Race, is a 10 kilometer road race held annually in Atlanta, Georgia on July 4, Independence Day. The Peachtree Road Race was until recently the world's largest 10 kilometer race (an estimated 55,000 participants in 2007),[1][2] a title it has held since the late 1970s.[3] The Race's registration of 55,000 was surpassed in April 2008 by the Vancouver Sun Run which had over 59,000 registrants (although the Sun Run is two races, a 10k and a 2.5k; the Peachtree has just one).[4] The race has become a city-wide tradition in which over 60,000 amateur and professional runners try to register for one of the limited 55,000 spots. The event also includes a wheelchair race which precedes the footrace. In recent years the race also has a special divisions for soldiers stationed in the Middle East.

Children can participate in Peachtree Junior, held in late May or early June. Contents [hide] 1 History 2 Course description 3 Race registration and starting group placement 4 2009 Changes 5 T-Shirts 6 2008 Course 7 Race financials 8 Overseas races 9 Peachtree Junior 10 Past winners 11 References 12 External links //

History 2007 Peachtree Road Race

The Peachtree Road Race was started in 1970 by the Atlanta Track Club. The first year approximately 110 runners ran from the old Sears building at the corner of Peachtree Road and Roswell Road to Central City Park (now Woodruff Park). The race was sponsored by Carling Brewery. The next year the race increased to 198 runners. Organizers used the sponsorship money to purchase T-shirts but underestimated the number of participants. T-shirts were given out to the first finishers until they ran out. In 1972 the organizers only ordered 250 T-shirts but 330 runners ran the race. In 1974 the event grew to 765 runners, 1975 there were over 1000 runners.[1]

In 1976 Carling Brewery dropped its sponsorship of the race and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution began sponsoring the race, bringing added coverage and popularity to the race. That year over 2300 runners competed. In 1977 over 6500 runners competed overwhelming the capacity of Central City Park. As a result, in 1978 the course was moved to starting at Lenox Square and finishing at the Piedmont Park. In 1979 the race attracted over 20,000 runners. In 1980 the number of participants was limited to 25,000 runners, which continued until 1990. In 1982 the wheelchair division was formed for the race.[1]

The race became so popular that by 1989 the race reached capacity in only 9 days and the Atlanta Track Club increased the limit to 40,000 in 1990. In 1992 it expanded to 45,000 runners; in 1995 it expanded to 50,000 runners; and in 1998 it was expanded to 55,000 runners, which remains the current limit.[1] 2006 Peachtree