ajcsportstalk

By fulltiltboogie

July 2, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

I remember when my Dad loaned me his (!!) to help me impress a girl back in the 80s - and I left it in the hotel room accidentally. I have never seen him more dejected, or felt as bad! How I wished I could have made it up to him - but that’s when I learned that there is no substitute for the Peachtree shirt, and there’s only one way to get it. That’s why I only wear my own now (like anyone would ever loan such a thing to me again). I will collect my third on Friday!

By kip

July 2, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this

Open note to all the “elitest” runners who do not believe walkers belong in this race or any other race. First let me state that I am a runner who consistently qualifies for the 1A time group at Peachtree so this is an unbiased opinion. Second, I want to put to bed all these negative comments about walkers not belonging in races like Peachtree.

Part of walking the Peachtree or any other race can involve one of the following; victory over cancer or some other health ailment or handicap, to support our troops overseas, to celebrate our independence, to support a cause like team in training.

The joy one gets from overcoming a health issue, supporting our troops overseas, celebrating our independence or contributing to a worthy cause far outweighs any negative comments made by elitist runners. Moreover, if you remember Peachtree is more of a community event, not a track meet for runners only. If what you say comes to fruition, then who tells the wheelchair racers they cannot compete?

HMMMM I thought so…

You cannot exclude members of the community just because they do not run like you do.

How would you feel if a member of your family wanted to participate, but could only walk due to arthritis or some other ailment or handicap?

Would you encourage them or tell them if they cannot run to stay away?

HMMM. I thought so….

So before you hide behind some nasty untraceable comments on a blog, think for a minute and consider how others will feel about your comments.

Well, I’ve vented long enougth.

In closing, I hope all runners, walkers, wheelchair racers and all others I have not mentioned enjoy your Peachtree experience.

Remember the rules of running - Runners to the left, walkers to the right and you will avoid any conflicts and don’t forget to wave to the cameras !!!

By countrty boy

July 2, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

I am missing something? Yes I have 8 Peachtree T-Shirts and they spend almost all of their lives in a dark closed drawer. Now my 4 marathon T-shirts are different. Much more a source of pride for me. They took me a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get. 55,000 will get a shirt this Friday and I truly admire each and every person that finishes a long,hilly, hot 10K. But doesn’t the shear number of shirts given as well as the moderate distance covered sort of dilute the aura of the shirt ?

By Kelley

July 2, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

Gee thanks “countrty (country?) boy” for cheapening the experience for the rest of us. So to answer your question - the 2nd one - NO!

Behind every shirt is a story about running the race.

By country boy

July 2, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this

so Kelley - what’s your race story??

By nelson

July 3, 2008 1:01 AM | Link to this

Perhaps there are some Ironman competitors that keep their marathon shirts in the drawer. Not enough tears involved in “earning” them I suppose. This will be my first time running the Peachtree and I’m running with my best friend of 20 years and several colleagues from work, so I think it will be great! Diluted aura? I don’t know - a year ago I couldn’t walk at all due to a motorcycle accident, and six months ago I couldn’t buy a 12 minute mile. I did my first 10k two weeks ago and strung 6.2 twelve minute miles together. So from the outside, my shirt will look like 54999 others, but inside, I’ll know what I did to get it.

By John Tackett

July 3, 2008 4:34 AM | Link to this

Kip, Your thoughts are the same as mine. I too am a TG 1a runner, this year earning a sub-seeded slot. I have done 9 marathons in the past 3 years, including Boston (which you have to qualify for) and for each and everyone of them, I am amazed and impressed at the diversity of the runners in regards to their “athletic abilities.” I have a plaque at my desk that sums it all up, “The miracle is not that I finished the race, the miracle is that I started.” Nuff said.

Country Boy, I too have those shirts from marathons, and with the exception of the 3 Peachtree shirts I have earned, they are all worn once or twice and then given to goodwill (Unless they are technical shirts that I can wear while training or running.) I usually where my shirts to work the first Monday after a race, then then never again. But the Peachtree usually comes out 2-3 times a year. In fact this week I am wearing a different one to work each day leading up to the one I earn tomorrow. I think it has something to do with the fact that only 55,000 of them are made and the fact that not everyone can get into the race and earn one. I have 2 co-workers doing thier first Peachtree (Hello Lance and Teresa) and they both have worked hard to get there and earn their time group placement. and both of said if they have to crawl, they will get the shirt.

To all the runner, walkers, and everyone in between, have a fun event, a safe event, and wear your shirt with pride. No matter how you do it, you earned it. See you at the finish!!

By Walker

July 3, 2008 7:50 AM | Link to this

Despite the disgust I may generate from some of the “elite” runners, I plan on walking in my first Peachtree tomorrow. I watched my wife run it last year and decided instead of sitting on the sidelines for several hours, I’d get off my butt and at least walk the 6.2 miles with some friends. But unlike some of you “runners” out there, I will walk the ENTIRE 6.2 miles and not just jump in half way for a photo op! You know who you are.

By Gen Neyland

July 3, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

I’ve run a few Peachtree’s. Have the 2002 model put in safe keeping. Am proud of the past experiences and look forward to the next ones I run but this year, my wife and I are VOLUNTEERing. From this perspective I will also cherish the event. My only gripe with the ATC, PRR organizers and the city of Atlanta is that Mich Ultra Light isn’t flowing at the finish. Other than that, have a great day and say ‘Thanks’ to the VOLUNTEER’s…They do for you, for us…

By James Winslo

July 3, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this

I can’t wait to see how many America hating and bashing runners including foreigners refuse to take or wear their new patriotic Peachtree Road Race T-shirt at the end of the race ! Thank You Voters !!! It’s a great day for America !

P.S. Due to a common sense, original intent ruling on the Second Amendment, “Old Glory” will shine a little brighter in my front yard this July 4th !

By ruthy

July 3, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this

The winning shirt is just a bunch of advertising. Who cares about all the wealth-based sponsors? The design is so good, but all the sponsor names make it cheap and repugnant. This is a lousy choice.

By ruthy

July 3, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this

The winning shirt is just a bunch of advertising. Who cares about all the wealth-based sponsors? The design is so good, but all the sponsor names make it cheap and repugnant. This is a lousy choice.

By ruthy

July 3, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this

The winning shirt is just a bunch of advertising. Who cares about all the wealth-based sponsors? The design is so good, but all the sponsor names make it cheap and repugnant. This is a lousy choice.

By ruthy

July 3, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this

The winning shirt is just a bunch of advertising. Who cares about all the wealth-based sponsors? The design is so good, but all the sponsor names make it cheap and repugnant. This is a lousy choice.

By ruthy

July 3, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this

The winning shirt is just a bunch of advertising. Who cares about all the wealth-based sponsors? The design is so good, but all the sponsor names make it cheap and repugnant. This is a lousy choice.

By ruthy

July 3, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this

The winning shirt is just a bunch of advertising. Who cares about all the wealth-based sponsors? The design is so good, but all the sponsor names make it cheap and repugnant. This is a lousy choice.

By ruthy

July 3, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this

The winning shirt is just a bunch of advertising. Who cares about all the wealth-based sponsors? The design is so good, but all the sponsor names make it cheap and repugnant. This is a lousy choice.

By ruthy

July 3, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this

The winning shirt is just a bunch of advertising. Who cares about all the wealth-based sponsors? The design is so good, but all the sponsor names make it cheap and repugnant. This is a lousy choice.

By ruthy

July 3, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this

The winning shirt is just a bunch of advertising. Who cares about all the wealth-based sponsors? The design is so good, but all the sponsor names make it cheap and repugnant. This is a lousy choice.

By Steve

July 3, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this

Kip — I , am probably the majority of the people on this board would have no problems with the walkers if they just followed a few simples courtesies.

Don’t walk 20 people across, one person deep, holding hands, effectively blocking off half the road. Instead, how about walking four or five across and deep?

Don’t jump in at the 1 mile mark in front of the majority of the race participants. Start where you should, like the runners do, and then few people would have a problem, even if you did the above.

Most importantly, NEVER do both of the above at the same time. If you do, then don’t get upset if you get runover by someone focusing on just putting one step in front of the other and not looking up. Some runners are barely hanging on and not to focused on the happenings more than a few steps in front of them.

Sadly, every single year I have to run around, thru, or over, at least two groups of walkers that do both of the above to prove their cause.

I support most of their causes, but I do NOT support absolute disregard of other people around you. It’s wrong and I actually found myself happy that one guy broke thru one such line last year that and proceeded to give them a piece of his mind. Even people on the side were clapping for him.

I guess that is one cause that got bad marks against it.

The sad thing is, everyone who speaks out for the ‘walkers’ doesn’t realize that the vast majority of runners have absolutely no problem with walkers that are courteous. It’s the walkers like those mentioned above that make everyone upset.

By Jason

July 3, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this

I am glad the 2002 shirt won the competition. I wouldn’t say its the most beautiful ever, but it was such a meaningful shirt, that I felt very proud to get.

By Chip

July 3, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this

Ruthy, learn how to use a computer and quit hitting the “Post” button so much.

Btw, the sponsors on the P’tree shirts are the smallest of any race I have been apart of. Small and at the bottom. Most races take up the entire back of the shirt.

By Angela

July 4, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

This was my very first Peachtree experience and I really enjoyed it! Thanks to all you volunteers and fans and friends cheering! HAPPY 4th TO ALL! :) GOD BLESS!

By Jim Lee

July 4, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this

I ran my fourth Peachtree today and it was ALMOST as much fun as the first on the race’s 25th anniversary.

There’s absolutely a place for runners and walkers of all abilities. I’m not a seeded runner, when they walked my time group up to the starting line someone had already won the race but we all started anyway.

It’s about more than the t-shirt; it’s about challenging yourself at whatever level and meeting that challenge.

By Marie

July 4, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this

I ran my first Peachtree today and I can’t believe I waited so long to run it. I had a wonderful time. I loved all the people cheering the runners. I can’t wait to come back next and compete against my own time!!See ya next year!

By Heather S.

July 5, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this

Are people really complaining about walkers? Qualify for time group 1 and you won’t see any walkers. Very easy. Looks like the Peachtree offers a perfect out.

I have qualified for time group 1 in the past, but actually prefer time group 2 where you see more people and it’s more of a party. The Peachtree is 55000 people— it is a party, not a race, for most of us.

And I’ll admit, at yesterday’s race, I walked some. I ran most of it, but I am 9 months pregnant and walked a little too.

Everyone deserves to be at the Peachtree. The wide range of stories, goals, and experiences is what makes the Peachtree so awesome. Yesterday was my 9th Peachtree for that reason!!!

If you want a more intimate, runner-centered experience, there are a ton of small races every weekend in the Atlanta area.

And the Peachtree shirt is special, just for it’s recognizability. It is in sorts a mean of connection to people you never know in the Atlanta area. I was at the gym once, wearing my Peachtree shirt, and a guy who could no longer walk was thrilled to tell me about his Peachtree experiences. There’s tons of connections like that. My marathon shirts, usually are not recognized by anyone. While the races will hold a place in my heart, the t-shirts do not have near the power of the Peachtree T-shirt.