Road to the Race

By ed

July 5, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

im sore

By Tom

July 5, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

Another Peachtree done, and no serious injuries or deaths attributed to those evil IPOD users. If headphones are banned, will the deaf be removed from the event as well??????

By Patti

July 5, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this

Every year I run races to get a time to get myself up front and every year those who are barely moving, but feel they can jump into the front runners group spoil the race for us. They are a hazard and a disgrace.

By The Management

July 5, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

Good point, Tom. We Pod People ran Peachtree and… life went right on.

Hey PRR officials — worry about the cheaters Patti references (and yes, that’s disgusting) instead of the folks racing START to FINISH in headphones. Those jump-in creeps are really wrecking everything the Peachtree is about more than anyone running with an iPod could. Also, how about telling the city or whomever to turn OFF the fire hydrants cannon-blasting water right into runners and onto the pavement? Talk about dangerous. And wasteful.

JMHO. Your mileage may vary.

— Mandi, ajc.com/sports

By Steve

July 5, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

I had a great race yesterday. The volunteers were awesome and the weather was great.

The cheaters who jump into the race have been a problem in the past, but for some reason, it wasn’t as bad an experience for me yesterday. Looking forward to next year.

By rob2595

July 5, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this

Weather was much better than last year and so were the T-Shirts so I enjoyed it. And for those LOSERS that jump in the race please do not do so until at least all the sub seeded runners have gone by that have earned the right to be at the front with people that will actually run at about the same pace as the others around them. I am in time group 1A and it is nice not to worry about walkers but people jumping into the race at various points is dangerous.

Finally I agree we need to control the spraying of water on the course. I know some folks like it but for me it is extra weight I do not want and it is a pain to try to run around them. Maybe only put them on the right hand side of the road and leave the left open to those not seeking to cool off in the water.

By Natalie Lee

July 5, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this

Want a laugh?…It was my first race and as I saw the finish line I sped up to give it my all—-Only to find out as I approached that it was only the overhang/catwalk where the photographers were! I still had more to go! I had to laugh…and keep on running :)

By Steve

July 5, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

Don’t feel bad Natalie! I believe that one of the elite runners of a past race did the same thing and ended up getting past and losing the race.

By Mike

July 5, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this

This was my first race, and I really enjoyed myself. My one question - the friend who picked me up got to Piedmont Park ten minutes after I left the starting line in group 7, but he saw people with group 5 numbers getting their shirts! If they can run THAT fast, wouldn’t they be up front?

By Big Green

July 6, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this

I ran every Peachtree starting in 1982 through the 2004 race…still have all the Tshirts.

We moved to beautiful Williamsburg, VA after 2004 and, while we don’t miss the urban LA-type sprawl that Atlanta has unfortunately become, the Peachtree RR is sorely missed.

It was always a highlight, great fun, terrific people and a shared community spirit.

By Kelley

July 6, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this

This was my first Peachtree and I had a blast. I want to do it next year, the year after, the year after that…as long as my body will let me!

As for the cheaters, I didn’t notice (just focused on finishing - not on anyone else) but heard people talking about it. It made me mad, but a friend put it in perspective for me. The cheaters have to live with themselves. They know what they did. All I know is I worked for what I accomplished - and lost 20 pounds in the process!

I loved the people cheering us all on and the sense of community was amazing. I got a little choked up crossing the finish line!

By Michael

July 6, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this

This was my first official 10K, much less Peachtree. I started in group 9 and had to dodge traffic the whole way. What is with all of the slow-folks and walkers on the left side of the road? The fire hydrant was more than just an annoyance - I got a blister on my toe from the wet shoe. Other that that it was quite the experience. My most memorable moment was when I got off the Marta train at about 6:00 and walked down Peachtree street with no cars in site. That was surreal. I am running a qualifier next month and will try to start closer to the front next year to avoid most of the casual runners.

By Alan

July 6, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

The weather was great and the spectators were awesome! I hate the people who jump in a mile or two down the course, then decide to walk. It is bad enough that they are cheating, but then walk and get in the way of the people who want to run for a good time. Very annoying! I was in group 1-B and had to avoid several walkers with numbers in the 4’s and higher.

The Atlanta Track Club does a great job with the race, but maybe next year they try to get the walkers to move to one side of the street and leave the other side open for the serious runners. I think some banners along the course stating that walkers should stay to the right would be extremely helpful in this crusade.

By Jon

July 6, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this

To stop cheating give the volunteers who man the entrance to the time groups, wrist bands ( the kind that you cannot take off without destroying). Each person as they enter would be required to have the wristband attached by the volunteer. As the finishers reach the t-shirt line only those with an intact wristband would receive a t-shirt. The volunteer would then snip off the wristband and each runner would receive one t-shirt (no more cheaters with extra numbers trying to go through the t-shirt line again).

Please bring back the honor to the Peachtree Road Race! Email the Atlanta Track Club with your support!

By Proud Mom

July 6, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this

This was my first Peachtree, first 10k since my back surgery, and my 13 year old son Avery’s second. I started in group 7 while he started in the subseeded group. I got the phone call from him that he had finished before I even started, had gotten the coffee mug and beat his coach. That phone call was my inspiration to run as fast I could to get to him and congratulate him on finishing with a time on 40:15 and number 451 overall. I am so proud of what he has accomplished in his running after only running for less than 2 years! I love you Avery!

By Susan Heyward

July 6, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this

I am one of the walkers, and started in group 9. This was my first 10K race and I worked hard to get myself into shape to even complete a 10K. I started from way north of Lenox Mall. By the time I finished, there was no water, no t-shirts ( I guess those folks who took two took mine), and no glory of any kind. Not even a chair to sit for a few minutes to rest. I am proud of my accomplishment and lost 55 pounds this year to get ready for this. Something should be done to bring in supplies for the late groups as we finish. We deserve it - we need it - Don’t forget us - walking that far is very hard - I did stay to the right - and I admire those who can run it.

By Tapper

July 9, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this

This was my first Peachtree. I was in the eighth time group. I am legally blind and used my cane to tap my way through the race. I walked alone. There was no one assisting me. I walked the race because I knew I could. I also participated in the race because I told my girlfriend I would, and I did it. She kept teasing me before the race. She kept telling me I would not do it. I knew I could do it (and so did she), so I went out and proved it to both of us. She is fully sighted and has no disability at all. She ran the race and beat her own record time. I walked the race just hoping to finish. She met me at the finish line with a big kiss, and we were both happy. Unlike a lot of other disabled people, I didn’t get any special attention or press. This is more than fine with me. That’s not why I was in the race. I did it because I could. Here’s a big thank you to all the people who helped me at the race expo, at the starting line, and at the finish. Some of you were official volunteers, and some of you were race participants who were friendly and wanted to offer a little guidance to someone who couldn’t see. Thank you all.

By Phalynn

July 9, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this

It was my first ever road race. My shins locked up after about 10 seconds….and after all that training - argh! I walked a bit the first mile or so and tried to stretch it out. My fav parts?

saying a thing….the back of her shirt said “Pain is weakness leaving the body”. That message was just for me - my shins relaxed and there was no stopping me after that.

could not make you grateful that you could even walk, much less the 1k+ incline? The top of the hill is the Shepherd Center Rehab Clinic and they all sat cheering everyone for hours - that made me cry and taught me a new level of gratitude!

By Sharon Dover

July 11, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

This was my first Peachtree after many years of saying I was going to do it.The shirt was worth the $500 (new shoes, running shorts, hotel,pictures, Marta fares) PRICELESS; I just want to tell my husband, Larry I love you for doing this with me. Phidipiddes stores thanks for your help in helping me get the right shoes. Looking forward to next year!