Peachtree Road Race finish back at Piedmont

This summer’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race will return to its old finish line —- on the edge of Piedmont Park.

Atlanta Track Club Executive Director Tracey Russell announced Wednesday that the race will end at 10th Street at Charles Allen Drive and portions of the Meadow in Piedmont Park will be used.

Last year’s race ended at the intersection of Juniper Street and Ponce de Leon Avenue. The finish line was moved there after the city restricted use of the park for large events because of the drought.

City officials in October offered race organizers the possibility of using some portions of the Meadow. Russell said at the time that race organizers needed to further study what equipment they would need in the park. Race organizers and city officials discussed and agreed upon various details in the past few weeks, Russell said.

“We’re good to go,” Russell said. “It will be great to tie the event back to the Piedmont Park area.”

Until 2008, the park had been the designated finishing area for the Independence Day race each year since 1978. With about 55,000 runners each year, organizers say it is the world’s largest 10K race.

Russell said the Meadow will be used as the meeting area for families, for the medical tent and to give runners commemorative T-shirts and water. Atlanta Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Director Dianne Harnell Cohen said Wednesday her staff does not have major concerns about the Meadow because large equipment that can damage grass won’t be used. Some tents and the stage will be set up at the Park Tavern, at the northwest corner of 10th Street and Monroe Drive.

Russell also said Wednesday that the first American man to finish the race will win the USA Men’s 10K Championship.

Wednesday’s announcement comes two days after officials announced that another large gathering, the Atlanta Pride Festival, will return to the park this year. However, it will be held on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 rather than in June as in the past.

Previously, officials said the Atlanta Dogwood Festival also will return to Piedmont Park this spring.

The big events: Where are they?

Here’s a breakdown of each of the five major events typically held at Piedmont Park.

Atlanta Jazz Festival

> 2008 location: Woodruff Park

> 2009 location: Grant Park

> Dates: May 23-25

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race

> 2008 finish location: Juniper Street and Ponce de Leon Avenue

> 2009 finish location: The edge of Piedmont Park

> Date: July 4

Atlanta Dogwood Festival

> 2008 location: Lenox Square

> 2009 location: Piedmont Park

> Dates: April 3-5

Atlanta Pride Festival

> 2008 location: Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center

> 2009 location: Piedmont Park

> Dates: Oct. 31, Nov. 1

Screen on the Green

> 2008 location: Centennial Olympic Park

> 2009 location: Centennial Olympic Park

> Dates: starting May 29

ON THE WEB:

At ajc.com, Peachtree training tips, upcoming races, photos from 2008