ajcsportstalk

By Jason

February 18, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this

What do I think? I think the ajc blogs are just an excuse for people to show what complete drama queens they are.

By Richard Beaton

February 18, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this

I would like to see the race finish in the Georgia Dome with plenty of fans in the stands.

By MP

February 18, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this

It’s OK. The good news is I will be closer to several MARTA stations when I’m done. From Piedmont Park I always had to walk to the Arts Center Station or to a car I parked the night before in the Ansley Mall area.

But I still think the finish could have been near the park. This is not about the drought. It’s about the damn grass period.

Quite frankly the best PRR’s were those that ended IN THE PARK so the tradition ended when they moved it to outside the park.

By Frank

February 18, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this

Isn’t the Civic Center going to be a little crowded with Atlanta Pride, July Gift Show, and now the Peachtree Road Race all heading to the same place at the same time?

By CC

February 18, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this

It’s a bit of an odd choice. I’m wondering why they couldn’t have used Grady HS (which is already unofficially used anyway by many runners) and blocked off the streets surrounding it (again, already blocked off except for Monroe).

Runners could have used the traditional finish line, continued down the street to Monroe (where maybe water could be). The T-shirt pick-up could’ve also been on Monroe, port-a-potties on 9th, and vendors on Charles Allen, with the ceremony in the stadium.

By baby sniff

February 18, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this

if the BABY SNIFF likes it then it’s fine with me. BABY SNIFF!!!

By scootie

February 18, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this

turner field maybe? baton bob’s house? the sheriff of eav’s house? southside steve’s house?

By Katelyn

February 18, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this

Not having family and friends to greet runners is disappointing and frustrating - especially for first time runners. A finish point that allows people to meet and socialize is what makes this race so fun. Maybe the drought will be gone next year and the fun race finish will be back…

By jhgf

February 18, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this

What a great place to end a race… where you can pick up a hooker and some crack. Now that’s what I’m talking about!!!

By runnergal

February 18, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this

Wait — so this 10k is really 6.8 miles? Does that affect the appeal of this race to the professional runners?

By cindy

February 18, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this

I don’t want to walk 4 blocks to get my t-shirt. I’ll br tired anyway, since this is longer than a 10K. I hat this!!

By Flibberdgibbit

February 18, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this

July 4th = Pride @ Civic Center

Great job ATL!

How about moving Pride to Grant Park, whose revitilization could actually benefit from the revenue and renewed attention of such Class A events?

By Jason

February 18, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this

Large festivals can not be held at Grant Park because it lacks MARTA access and parking, not to mention hotel rooms, large numbers of restaurants and road capacity. There aren’t enough buses to shuttle tens of thousands of people between the central business districts and Grant Park and even if there were, it would not be a good experience.

No one is overlooking Grant Park, it simply doesn’t fit the needs of Class A events.

By Mike

February 18, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this

I finished my 30th consecutive PRR last year. I think I’ll let the streak end there! Looks like this could be a good year to hit the lake!

By Voldemort

February 18, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this

75% of the City has no access to MARTA rail, it doesn’t seem to prevent commerce from flowing, nor any of the regional amphitheaters from filling their seats.

If Atlanta’s only popular public spaces are going to be those that are already MARTA-accessible, we’re doomed to the whims of the Piedmont Park Conservancy and their growing quest to expel large events from midtown’s backyard.

The impacts to the turf can never be enough to justify the loss of potential revenue for the city from these events.

It doesn’t take a 3rd generation Atlanta native and environmental biology professional to see the thin skin on an inane and expensive assertion.

By LS

February 18, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this

It’s just such a disappointment that this race and other events were forced to move when the water needed to keep/restore the grass at Piedmont Park amounts to a deck chair on the Titanic. Wouldn’t it have been cool if the City Council had used creative ways to water the park and use it as an inspiration to us all instead of a punishment? Too late to change now….I just hope runners don’t suffer physical harm because of this…it’s so unfair that the ATC was forced to scramble to find a suitable finish when events such as this take an entire year to SAFELY plan… grrr

By MP

February 18, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this

I don’t think we will see another Peachtree Road Race near Piedmont Park. It’s not the drought. It’s the grass. 55,000 runners and their families trample the grass whether it’s watered or not. It’s bermuda. It’s engineered to be drought resistant, but they can’t make grass that can withstand the foot traffic. We would have been better off with more dirt!

They love the grass more than they love hosting events. It’s that simple.

By Run of stay home

February 19, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this

The new finish line is fine —it’s actually closer to a MARTA station and that’s a good thing.

I’ll be there for my 17th year. If you don’t like the new finish line then do me a favor and stay home —that way you’ll be sure to stay out of the left side of the road and out of my way!

By zeke

February 19, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this

Either the dome or the braves stadium would be much better! What a stupid finish, to have to walk 55,000 runners plus viewers an additional 4 plus blocks to be able to cool down, get water or other refreshments and meet friends or family is pretty stupid!

Grant Park may not be able to handle class A events, but, it should handle a class Z event such as pride!!! Pride, what a ridiculous naming for that non event!

By Mike Judge

February 19, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

As Beavis and Butthead once said: “The more things change, the more they suck”!

By Bewildered Reader

February 19, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this

So its not ok to kill the grass in Piedmont Park but ok to kill the grass in Grant Park? Grant Park is a beautiful thriving, family and “family” oriented park that doesn’t need events A or Z and likes life just the way it is.
Kill the concrete at the Turner field lot instead of killing the grass in our parks.

By Beers?

February 19, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this

Where will all the beer drinkers go to drink beer? The Tavern was our hangout post race! What to do? Aaarrgghh!!! Any ideas?

By Oak

February 21, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

The Atlanta Track Club (ATC) did a great job coming up with the best alternative but once again the City of Atlanta fails to make smart decisions - long and continuing history there. The PRR and Piedmont Park have been great for each other and the ATC has given the city and Piedmont Park huge donations over the years. It’s always disappointing when an old friend turns their back. PRR will not be the same without Piedmont Park, not even close.

By Techie

February 25, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

Thanks again to my alma mater, grand old Georgia Tech. Once again, you have the opportunity to shine and gain publicity in Atlanta, and once again you shun the City and thousands of athletic, potential Tech supporters.

Now instead of finishing my 17th straight PRR on a beautiful college campus, I get to finish in the middle of nowhere in a nasty part of town.